Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop Production
Maximizing Farm Profitability in McLean County
David Fourqurean
Grains
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Chemical Management
Integrated Pest Management
Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the the foreseeable future. Grain crop producers are also facing factors not related to agriculture(continued supply change issues, Trade Wars, war in Ukraine, wild fluctuations in the market place) that affect the markets, exports and their profitability.
Maximize profits for crop producers.
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil or living area.
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems.
Significant percentage of producers implementing safety and responsibility concerning pesticide use.
Increase the use of sustainable Best Management Practices.
Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with grain marketing and marketing trends.
Effective utilization of poultry litter by grain producers.
Rewriting Nutrient Management plans to be in compliance with new regulations.
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production(drones, soil mapping).
Utilize social media and/or other outlets to increase awareness of pesticide safety and management practices.
Use diagnostic services to identify insect, disease and weed issues.
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations.
Increase the number of producers fertility testing poultry litter for more accurate application to crop fields.
Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.
Increase understanding of production regulations.
Understanding chemical safety and hazards.
Understanding importance of on-farm trials.
Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production.
Identify herbicide resistant pest and strategies to overcome these pest.
Understanding of value of social media in promoting production agriculture(Facebook, Podcast).
Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.
Increase production due to better utilization of poultry litter.
Initial Outcome: Farmers will be able to identify new strategies in crop production and IPM knowledge.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of new crop production strategies.
Method: Written Evaluation, Verbal Evaluation, face to face visits
Timeline: 8-11 months
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will implement one or more practice that was learned at an Extension program.
Indicator: Farmers report implementing one or more new practice.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation, Observation
Timeline: 1-2 years
Long-term Outcome: Farmers are able to minimize cost and maximize profits utilizing Extension research, publications and services with local yield trials as research as well as IPM information.
Indicator: Farmers will report decrease in input cost and increase in profits.
Method: Written Evaluation, Farm Business Analysis Reports, Face to face meetings
Timeline: 2-3 years
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Grain Day Program
Content or Curriculum: Research Plot Data, Specialist Talks/Presentations, Special Crop Projects
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, On-Farm Research Trials, Publications
Date: January 2025
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Marketing/Farm Management Programs
Content or Curriculum: Grain Marketing Strategies, Ag Marketing Clubs, Farm Management, IPM curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extension Pubs, Farm Analysis Group, IPM materials
Date: yearly
Audience: poultry and grain producers
Project or Activity: Litter Management Program/ Nutrient management plan development
Content or Curriculum: Litter analysis, management strategies, Budgets and research publication, BMP's
Inputs: University Specialists/Industry Specialist
Date: Fall 24 and Winter 24
Author: Nolan Pettit
Major Program: Agriculture
Every year, one of my biggest events is our McLean County Youth Ag & Safety Day. We bring in all the 4th grade students from each elementary school from across the county to our park. We have several community members who are involved in agriculture to come and speak with the children at each booth. While most of our vendors are directly related to agriculture, we also invite local first responders to speak about the dangers involved with being around farm equipment that might be easily acce
