Increase Livestock Production in Green CountyPlan of Work

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Green County CES

Title:
Increase Livestock Production in Green County
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Ricky Arnett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Ag Marketing
Situation:
Livestock production has greatly increased in central Kentucky over the last year with the highest prices on record. There are over $13 million in gross receipts in the livestock industry in Green County annually. This has a $78 million effect on the overall economy of the rural, central Kentucky County. With a Greater demand in the livestock industry the Green County Extension Council has identified livestock production as a major concern for the coming years. Forages, marketing, management, and economics were identified as focus areas that could help the future of the livestock industry in Green County.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Due to increased efficiency on the farm and utilizing different marketing strategies, farm families will experience an increase in income, adding to their standard of living.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Producers adopt and implement new technologies in marketing and management of their farming enterprise.
Initial Outcomes:
Knowledge is gained by participants in the areas of management, economics, and the latest in marketing technologies.
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producer participation in educational programs

Indicator: Programs and educational materials being distributed

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually 


Intermediate Outcome: Producers implementing new production and marketing strategies

Indicator: Participation in new and alternate market venues

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually 


Long-term Outcome: Increase Production and house hold income

Indicator: Increase lbs of meet sold and decrease operating cost

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Dairy Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Dairy Short Course

Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Health

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Winter 2017/18


Audience: Dairy Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Dairy Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Health

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Fall 2017


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Green County Cattlemen's Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Marketing, Genetics, Retained Ownership, Mineral Programs

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Sponsors

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Green County Retained Ownership Program

Content or Curriculum: Ownership until slaughter

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Feedlots

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Beef Conference

Content or Curriculum: Updates on Research and Markets

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: July 2017


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists

Inputs: Agents, Specialist

Date: 2017


Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Forage Testing

Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab

Inputs: Agent, Staff, KY Dept. of Ag Lab

Date: Summer 2017


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Forage Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Quality Forages

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Fall 2017


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Soil Testing

Content or Curriculum: Soil Analysis and Fertilizer Recommendations

Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Phase I Cost Share Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Agent, Staff, Cattlemen's Association

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification

Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program

Inputs: Agents, Specialist, UK Publications

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance

Content or Curriculum: Herd Health Certification

Inputs: Agent, UK Publications

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Agriculture Development Council

Content or Curriculum: Planning the Investment of Local Phase I Dollars

Inputs: Agent, Ag Development Council

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Silage Plots

Content or Curriculum: Analysis on Corn Varieties

Inputs: Agent, Specialists, Sponsors, Volunteers

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Quicken Record Keeping Program

Content or Curriculum: Proper Record Keeping

Inputs: Agent, Sponsor

Date: Fall 2017



Success Stories

Ag Safety Day

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

The Green County Cooperative Extension Service Council and 4-H Teen Club identified the safety of youth in agriculture and the community as a critical goal for this past year. The Cooperative Extension Service, serving as the lead organization, teamed up with the Green County Cattlemen’s Association, and solicited support from the Progressive Farmer organization. The Cooperative Extension Service recruited several other partner organizations to assist in providing educational booths on top

Full Story

Center of KY Sheep & Goat Shortcourse

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Small Ruminants

In Green County, The small ruminant population is increasing at a rapid pace. With roughly one third of the farms are made up of less than 40 acres of land (USDA NASS). While this size of farm may not be very suitable for grain crops and cattle, farms of this size can support small livestock such as sheep and goat. Additionally, through improvements made in marketing options and market prices, sheep and goat are a viable option for many small farms and is more economical for most small farmers t

Full Story

Master Cattlewoman

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Beef

With the loss of women as principal farm operators, Adair, Green and Taylor County Extension Services cooperated in conducting a state pilot Master Cattlewoman Shortcourse. The shortcourse was developed to enhance the participants’ knowledge of beef production, to network with each other and promote leadership development. Educational sessions included: Facility Design, Livestock/Environmental Concerns, Industry Resources, Health, Pasture Considerations, Forages/Nutrition and Producer

Full Story
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