Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock Production & Profitability
Production, Marketing & Profitability
Corinne Belton
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Equine
Beef
Swine
There are approximately 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. Regardless of cattle 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, reduce antibiotic use, and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our local Agriculture and Natural Resource agents to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable
It is estimated at in 2017, Kentucky had 48,000 head of sheep, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous year. Breeding sheep and lambs were estimated at 38,000 and market sheet and lambs were estimated at 10,000 head. Lamb from increased aby 3,000 between 2016 and 2017. The goat inventory decreased by 3,000 between 2016 and 2017 for an estimated 56,000 head. Milk goat (5,500 head) increased by 500 from the previous year.
According to USDA Agriculture Census 2017, 96% of the 16,280 Kentucky horses and ponies are on farms with 1 to 24 horses. Most Extension’s equine clients are horse and farm owners who ride for sport and recreation and businesses that support those clients.
Kentucky ranks 18th in the nation for total swine production with more than 1,000 swine operations. Swine productions accounts for 2% of total cash receipts for Kentucky agriculture. In 2017, Kentucky had approximately 410,000 total head of swine with 45,000 breeding animals and 365,000 market hogs and pigs
*Long term viability
*Producers save money by making informed selection decisions
*Improve herd/flock quality
*Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
*Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
*Improve sustainability of intensively managed livestock production systems
*Increase positive opinion of animal agriculture of non-farm individuals
*Test forage for nutritional quality
*Provide a complete mineral supplement program
*Implement cross breeding program
*Make EPD and targeted selection decisions to capitalize on a value-added product
*Implement a managed grazing system
*Utilize alternative forages
*Properly use medicated feed
*Create improved livestock handling equipment/facilities
*Slowly and quietly handle cattle
*Discuss animal welfare issues less defensively with others
*Adopt usage of new technology for livestock production
*Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
*Gain knowledge of the livestock industry and information and tools to succeed in livestock production
*Interpret forage analyses, feed and mineral bag tabs and to balance rations.
*Increase awareness of the following practices: reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general herd management, economics and marketing.
*Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.
*Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.
*Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.
Initial Outcome: Youth and adults increase KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices
Indicator: Increased KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices
Method: Post-training evaluations, observation
Timeline: Annually
Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults implement production management practices such as: evaluation, variety selection, forage improvement, marketing, reproduction and nutrition.
Indicator: Improved management practices in evaluation, variety selection, forage improvement, marketing, reproduction and nutrition
Method: Self-reporting, observation
Timeline: Yearly
Long-term Outcome: Increased agriculture production and profitability
Indicator: Higher production and increased profits
Method: Self-reporting, observation
Timeline: Year-to-year over the next decade
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Regional Beef Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Value added information
Inputs: KCARD
Date: October 2023
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: For Rookies Series
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Pasture and Grazing management courses
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents
Date: Fall 2022 - Spring 2024
Audience: Small Ruminant Producers
Project or Activity: Small Ruminant School
Content or Curriculum: UK and KSU publications
Inputs: UK/KSU publications, specialists, agents
Date: Winter 2024
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality & Care Assurance (BQCA)
Content or Curriculum: BQCA curriculum
Inputs: BQCA curriculum, video, agents, specialists
Date: Year-round
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Emergency 101
Content or Curriculum: Veterinary information
Inputs: Local vets, agents, specialists
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Determining the Value of a Beef Carcass and Pricing Home-raised Beef
Content: Beef curriculum
Input: Local veterinarian, beef producers
Date: November 2023
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Rotational Grazing and 100% Grass-finished Beef
Content: Beef curriculum
Input: Local veterinarian, beef producers
Date: February 2024
Audience: Farmers Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Customer Communications and Marketing
Content: Marketing and sales, CCD materials
Input: Local producers, CCD staff
Date: March 2024
Updated 5/5/2023
Author: Corinne Belton
Major Program: Beef
Educating local beef producers is a high priority in Shelby County. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Shelby County ranks 18th in Kentucky for sales of cattle/calves with more than $15 million in annual sales, emphasizing the need for beef producers to take herd management and breeding decisions seriously. Field days serve to educate cattlemen regarding important production principles while demonstrating practices in a practical, on-farm setting. With these facts in mi
Author: Corinne Belton
Major Program: Beef
In the years since the tobacco buyout, Shelby County, like many other formerly tobacco-dependent counties, has seen an emphasis on improving the quality and efficiency of beef cattle production. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Shelby County has nearly $10 million in beef animal sales yearly, highlighting the importance for beef producers to take herd management and breeding decisions seriously. Additionally, the number of dairy-to-beef conversions as well as new-to-farming pro
Author: Corinne Belton
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Livestock production, animal sciences, agricultural education and career pathways in agriculture are important building blocks for young people with an interest in the agricultural industry. Rather than on a beach or in the mountains, 4-H members from Shelby, Scott, Henry and Crittenden counties spent their spring break week in barns and on feedlots across five states to learn about these topics. Youth Stock Tour provided 4-Hers the opportunity to visit farms and ranches in var
