Increasing Crop Production in Green CountyPlan of Work

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Green County CES

Title:
Increasing Crop Production in Green County
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Ricky Arnett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Pesticide Safety – Livestock Pests
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Ag Marketing
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management
Situation:
With the sharp decrease in prices over the last year, grain production has decreased slightly in Green County. With the production of grain being stable and prices being lower has had a large effect on the economy of central Kentucky. The Green County Extension Council has set a priority on helping farmers to learn to increase yields, decrease input cost, and be as efficient as possible.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Farmers will seek out assistance from extension resources before making decisions. Famers will accomplish on-farm what they have learned and seen demonstrated resulting in controlled costs and greater returns.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Make educated decisions demonstrating their knowledge of plant physiology and growth stages. They will be able to use practices such as: soil testing and fertilizing according to results, appropriate tillage drainage methods to avoid compaction, appropriate plant populations and row widths.

Cropping systems will be developed to reduce weed, disease, wildlife, and environmental impact utilizing pesticides.

Farmers will investigate marketing strategies allowing them to take advantages of price premiums and giving them marketing variables rather than being locked in to regional prices
Initial Outcomes:
Demonstrate increased knowledge in areas of: soils, crop development, marketing, management, storage, and information management.
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

ally

Long-term Outcome: Increase yields and house hold income

Indicator: Yields increase and production cost decrease

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Tobacco Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Tobacco Meeting & GAP Training

Content or Curriculum: Ky Tobacco Guide and GAP

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, GAP, Sponsors

Date: Winter 2017/18


Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Forage Testing

Content or Curriculum: KY Forage Testing Lab

Inputs: Dept. of Ag Forage Lab

Date: Summer 2017/18


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Soil Testing

Content or Curriculum: Soil Analysis and Fertilize Recommendations

Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Phase I Cost Share

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Agent, Cattlemen's Association, Staff

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification

Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program

Inputs: Agent, Specialists, UK Publications

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Grain Crops Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Marketing and research updates

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: Winter 2017/18


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Weed and Disease Identification

Content or Curriculum: Situation Control

Inputs: Agent, Staff, Specialists, UK Regulatory Services

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Strategic Marketing Program

Content or Curriculum: Understanding Grain Markets

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Green County Grain Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Grain Technologies update

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Sponsors

Date: Fall 2017


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: Agents, 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

Master Hay Maker

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Forages

For all livestock producers especially beef cattle producers forages are the most expensive feed source to produce. Livestock represent the largest sector of agriculture in Green County. Hay being a crucial part of livestock systems, it is important that we minimize the amount of hay fed, while also producing and feeding high quality hay to lower our cost per head. Past participants of the Center of Kentucky Master Cattlemen program expressed the need of further education on hay production

Full Story
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