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