Henderson County CES

Title:

Agricultural Practices

MAP:

Agricultural and Science Needs

Agents Involved:

James, Rideout

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Integrated Pest Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Beef

Situation:

There are many agricultural commodities in Henderson County. In 2014, Henderson County was in the top grain producing counties in the state, and has been for many years. Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future. Cattle production in Henderson County is another major area of production. There are over 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 and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high 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 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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices
Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopt usage of new technology for crop production

Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production

Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds

Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations

Implementation of on-farm trials

Develop Agricultural Leadership 

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
Increase understanding of production regulations
Understanding BioTech traits
Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials
Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production
Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Understanding more about agricultural related topics

Indicator: Deeper understanding about various agriculture practices

Method: Survey

Timeline: Winter 2023

Intermediate Outcome: Adopt use of practices learned, use of UK's services, implement on-farm trials

Indicator: Behavior change

Method: Demonstration

Timeline: Spring 2024

Long-term Outcome: Maximize profits while minimizing environmental impact, increased positive opinion of GMOs

Indicator: Producer Testimonials, citizens indicate positive outlook on farming practices

Method: survey throughout county

Timeline: Spring 2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farm Managers and/or Owners

Project or Activity: Hay Day

Content or Curriculum: KDA hay testing day, pasture renovations, weed control

Inputs: Extension Agent, Extension Specialists, Farmers, Land Owners, KDA

Date: July 2023

Audience: Farm Workers, Farm Managers, Ag Retailers, Certified Crop Advisors, Agronomists, Master Gardeners, Industry Representatives

Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training

Content or Curriculum: Video, Hands-On Demonstrations, Teaching

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag Businesses

Date: Feb 2024 , July 2024

Audience: Henderson County People

Project or Activity: Media

Content or Curriculum:  weekly radio show, weekly newspaper column, social media, newsletters

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag Businesses

Date: Weekly

Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Certified Preconditioned for Health (CPH-45)

Content of Curriculum: Information, CPH45 Sale

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Beef Network and the Kentucky Dept. of Ag

Date: August, December, February, April

Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Cow College

Content or Curriculum: Program materials, Extension publications

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists

Date: Summer 2023

Audience: Grain producers

Project or Activity: Henderson Grain Day

Content or Curriculum: grain hauling decision tool, pesticide certification, farm data collection

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag businesses

Date: January 2024

Audience: Farmers using chemicals

Project or Activity: Chemical Jug Rinse and Return Day, Resistant Weed Technology 

Content or Curriculum: water quality handout

Inputs: Extension Agent, KDA, Ag businesses

Date: September 2023

Audience: farmers with soil fertility needs

Project or Activity: fertility conference

Content or Curriculum: soil test procedures, starter fertilizers, row width data

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag businesses 

Date: November 2023

Audience: Henderson Co Residents

Project or Activity: solar project

Content or Curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists and community partners

Date: Fall 2023

Audience: Grain farmers 

Project or Activity: Grain storage workshop, maximizing planter technology 

Content or Curriculum: Grain storage tool, new research in storage, harvest loss tool, research data

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists

Date: August 2023

Success Stories