Livestock & CropsPlan of Work

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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:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
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

Dinner Theater

Author: Chelsey Anderson

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health - ANR

The average age of a farmer in the United States is now 58.1. This is according to the 2022 USDA Ag Census. Keeping this in mind along with several farming accidents taking place in the county within the last year and a half, it was decided to host a farmers’ dinner theater. This event took place on February 22, 2024 at the Cumberland County Extension Office. The audience, which consisted of 55 listened to speakers about suicide awareness in the farming community, local farmers who had rec

Full Story

Women in Ag

Author: Chelsey Anderson

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

According to the 2022 United States Agriculture Census, Cumberland County has a total of 409 farms occupying 92,797 acres. Within that, 260 farms and 51,057 acres are female operated. This trend was noticed several years ago, with women taking on more of a role on farms. A women in agriculture group started in late 2016 early 2017 in Cumberland County. Since then, this group has hosted educational meetings, field days on farms, and networking meetings. In late winter 2024, the group decided they

Full Story
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