Cumberland County CES

Title:

Livestock & Crops

MAP:

Promoting Commodities & Crop Production

Agents Involved:

Anderson

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Situation:

According to the 2017 Agriculture Census, cattle and calves lead the county in livestock inventory. Poultry would be a close second, if they haven’t passed it by now. The biggest hurdle for livestock producers across commodity groups to overcome is a market for their animals. Cumberland County is home to zero markets for livestock except direct to consumer sales. Cattle producers have to travel to Barren, Clinton, or Russell County to sale (those are the closest). Small ruminant producers would have to go further than that. Commercial poultry producers have contracts with either Tyson or Cobb located in Clinton and Wayne counties respectively.

 

For grain producers, markets are located in Clinton County (Cobb feed mill) or an elevator would be in northern or western Kentucky. Producers have a lot of trucking costs for this reason.

 

Something else that spans over all commodity groups is health and well-being of producers. Many farmers work long hours to get done what they need to. This often wears them down physically and mentally.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area.
• Increased profit margin and/or reduce expenses.
• Increase positive opinion of GMO/conventional production of non-farm individuals.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations.
• Test forage for nutritional quality.  
• Implement on farm trials of grain crops.

Initial Outcomes:

• Develop proper record keeping techniques for the farming operation.
• Awareness of forage variety trial information.
• Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Develop proper record keeping techniques for the farming operation.

Indicator: Number of respondents on survey.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Annually

 

Initial Outcome: Awareness of forage variety trial information.

Indicator: Number asking for the trial information.

Method: Copies handed out.

Timeline: Annually.

 

Initial Outcome: Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.

Indicator: Number asking for information.

Method: Copies handed out.

Timeline: Annually.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: BQCA Training

Content or Curriculum: BQCA Training Materials

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: January, February, March, and October

 

Audience: Beef Cattle & Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Clinton-Cumberland Cattlemen’s Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Quarterly (March, June, September, & December)

   

Audience: Bee Keepers

Project or Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: Industry Professionals, State Apiarist, etc.

Date: Bi-annual 

 

Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Annually (multi-county program in Wayne Co.)

 

Audience: Sheep & Goat Producers

Project or Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Bi-monthly 

 

Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Private Applicator Training

Content or Curriculum: Private Applicator Training Materials

Inputs: UK specialists & industry professionals

Date: December and February

  

Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: CAIP Trainings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Fall & Spring

 

Success Stories