Promoting CommodiesPlan of Work

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Butler County CES

Title:
Promoting Commodies
MAP:
Improving Farm Practices
Agents Involved:
Drake
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
Situation:
Butler County has a large livestock industry. Beef cattle and forages are important parts of our ag economy. There are almost $20 million in livestock sales annually.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Livestock operations are profitable and of improved genetics.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Farmers purchase high quality animals for use on their farm. This increases the productivity of their herd.

Farmers produce higher quality forage for their own use or for sale.
Initial Outcomes:
Farmers learn how to conduct a livestock sale.

Farmers learn what is involved in preparing animals to be sold in a special sale.

Farmers can sell cattle locally.

Farmers learn the benefits of buying animals from known health and management protocol.
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmers sell cattle locally

Indicator: Number of consignors and cattle in sale

Method: Pull data from catalog

Timeline: March 2018


Intermediate Outcome: Farmers produce higher quality forage

Indicator: Forage test results improve

Method: KY Dept. of Ag forage test data from contest

Timeline: March 2018


Long-term Outcome: Livestock operations are profitable and of improved genetics

Indicator: Cattle farms profitable

Method: Ag states, UK Ag Economy data, Interview

Timeline: June 2018

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock Farmers

Project or Activity: County cattle sale

Content or Curriculum: How to conduct sale and prepare cattle for sale

Inputs: Volunteer time, Agent time, City facilities, local sponsorships

Date: March 2018


Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: County forage quality contest

Content or Curriculum: Learn what affects forage quality

Inputs: KY Dept. of Ag forage testing, Stockman's money, agent time

Date: March 2018





Success Stories

Forage Improvement and Promotion in Butler County

Author: Gregory Drake

Major Program: Forages

Forage Production is an important enterprise on Butler County Farms.  The most recent census data indicate Butler County has 14,496 acres of forage production.  This causes Butler to rank sixty second in forage production in the state.  The agriculture program, working with the Butler County Stockman’s Association has offered a comprehensive education program to improve forage production.  The year started with a forage field day.  At the field day Dr. Chris Teusch

Full Story
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