Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock and Forage Production and Marketing
Sustainable Agriculture
Rebecca Konopka, Rebecca Hayes
Beef
Forages
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Forage and livestock management are vital to Kentucky’s agricultural economy. There are over 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars. Beef cattle are Carter County’s largest agricultural commodity.
With declining beef prices, it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. As livestock margins tighten, management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization, and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in Carter County and the state.
Source: UK Beef Logic Model
Beef and forage producers will have:
Improved farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Producers save money by making better selection decisions.
Reduce expenses & increased profits of operation
Improved herd quality
Improved animal welfare
Improved forage stands
Adoption of new technologies and practices
Beef and forage producers will:
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Test forage for nutritional quality
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Implement crossbreeding program
Make EPD and selection decisions
Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations
Develop a grazing plan
Develop proper vaccination and antibiotic protocols
Beef and forage producers will have increased awareness of the following practices:
-reproduction
-genetics
-nutrition
-health
-end product
-general herd management & record keeping
-economics and marketing
-animal handling & welfare
-forage production
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general herd management, economics, and marketing.
Indicator:Number of farmers reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills, or aspirations related to improving production management.
Method: Production Meetings
Timeline: November-April
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Indicator: 4-H members are successful in the State Fair Avian Bowl & Poultry Judging contests.
Method: Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl practices and contests
Timeline: May-August
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain understanding of the equine industry.
Indicator: 4-H members successfully compete in State 4-H Horse events.
Method: 4-H Horse Club
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Test forage for nutritional quality & utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Indicator: Report increases by producers
Method: Farm visits, surveys, EKHC
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: 4-H members will practice and apply knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber through animal science.
Indicator: 4-H members have a successful project to show at the county fair
Method: Livestock Club meetings & County Fair
Timeline: November – August
Long-term Outcome: Producers save money, Reduce expenses, Improve herd quality, and increased profits of operation
Indicator: Farmer reports
Method: Farm visit, surveys
Timeline: Ongoing
Long Term Outcome: Youth will engage in an entrepreneurial enterprise.
Indicator: 4-H members expand their livestock herd beyond the show ring.
Method: Livestock Club
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Northeast Area Livestock Association Meetings, BQCA Training, Hay Testing, Group Mineral Order, Online Webinars, Farm & Family Field Day, On-Farm Workshops & Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Training videos, Research Reports
Inputs: KBN, UK Extension Specialists, Agent, KDA, USDA
Date: January - December
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: Avian Bowl & Poultry Judging
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual & Poultry Judging Handbook
Inputs: Volunteers, Paid Staff, Specialists
Date: May-August
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club (Club meetings, Fairs, Shows)
Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, Fair Board, Paid Staff
Date: November -August
Audience: School Classrooms
Project or Activity: Embryology in the Classroom
Content or Curriculum: 4-H CCS Core Curriculum
Inputs: Teachers, Paid Staff, Local Producers
Date: September – May
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club (Meetings, Shows, Contests)
Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, Staff
Date: Once a month
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Soil testing
Carter County boasts a rich agricultural heritage, but many farmers still sometimes rely on intuition and tradition to guide their nutrient management decisions. This often leads to over- or under-application of fertilizers, impacting both crop yields and the environment.That's why the Carter County Extension Service encourages farmers to utilize soil sampling services. Currently, the Carter County Soil Conservation District pays for soil testing for local residents through a gr
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Forages
Kentucky has 90,000 stream miles and the number one pollutant in those steams is soil sediment. Sediment is soil lost due to erosion in heavy rainfall events, according to Amanda Gumbert Extension Water Quality Specialist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food & Environment. No-till seeding enables farmers to directly seed into the vegetation in the field without tilling the soil. Benefits of no-tillage include an increase in soil biological activity
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Beef
It’s a well-known fact that Kentucky is the largest cattle producing state east of the Mississippi River. The 2022 Census of Agriculture reported that Carter County had over $2.7 million in cattle sales annually. The intensive educational program Master Cattleman aims to empower beef cattle producers with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in this competitive market. Over the six nights of the program, Extension specialists delved into a comprehensive ra
