Shelby County CES

Title:

Livestock Production & Profitability

MAP:

Production, Marketing & Profitability

Agents Involved:

Corinne Belton

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Equine

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Swine

Situation:

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 Outcomes:

*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

Intermediate Outcomes:

*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

Initial Outcomes:

*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.

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Regional Beef Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Value added information

Inputs: KCARD

Date: October 2024

Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Pasture and Grazing management courses

Content or Curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents

Date: Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

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 2025

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: Land owners

Project or Activity: Fencing School

Content or Curriculum: Demonstration, CAIP and EQUIP requirements

Inputs: Local experts, agents, specialists

Date: Summer/fall 2024

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 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 2025

Updated 5/5/2023

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