Union County CES

Title:

Beef Production, Marketing, and Other Animal Sciences

MAP:

Agriculture Production, Profit, and Management

Agents Involved:

ANR Agent, 4-H Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Situation:

Beef cattle account for 87.5% of the livestock inventory in Union County according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture by the USDA. Increased input costs have led to only those innovative managers making a viable profit. In order to increase profit, producers have to utilize new marketing strategies and techniques along with ensuring a quality feed. The same can be said for other livestock enterprises. Educating youth about innovative methods will lead to them being more successful down the road.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved farm economic status. Increased number of young livestock producers. Utilization of the futures or options market to limit downside of market risk. Sustainability of farm or herd.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Test forage for nutritional quality. Market cattle in large, uniform lots through county collaborations. Utilization of Extension recommended marketing process to make a change in management processes to better fit marketing strategies. Growth in participation in livestock clubs and shows for youth.

Initial Outcomes:

Recognition and knowledge of better forage production. Budgeting, record keeping, and marketing strategies. Effects of livestock and environmental interaction. Knowledge of best practices in general heard and livestock management. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Number of people who gained information on beef nutrition, animal health, genetics, reproduction, and/or facilities and equipment; Number of 4-H members who gained animal science knowledge.

Indicator: 1011.4, 1011.1, 1081.5, 1081.6, 4021.1

Method: Observation, survey, farm visit, consultation, livestock club participation and activities, 4-H record books.

Timeline: 6 months

Intermediate Outcome: Applied information from Extension to market cattle, use of futures marketing strategies to make decisions.

Indicator: 1011.1, 1011.2, 1072.1, 1072.3, 1072.4, 1072.6, 1072.7, 1072.10

Method: Survey

Timeline: 1 year

Long-term Outcome: Profitability and sustainability of livestock herd.

Indicator: 1011.3, 1082.4, 1082.6, 1081.7

Method: Local sales records, interviews, USDA records, producer survey

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Boots n Bridles club

Content or Curriculum: horse education curriculum

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, industry professionals, club leaders and volunteers

Date: August through May

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: UK Food Science

Inputs: hams, ham house, volunteers, club leaders

Date: Jan - Aug. 

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock club

Content or Curriculum: Livestock curriculum

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, industry professionals, club leaders and volunteers

Date: August through May

Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Educational meetings

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agribusinesses

Date: Winter/Summer

Project or Activity: BQA

Content or Curriculum: BQA manual

Inputs: BQA manual, UK publications and specialists

Date: Winter/Fall

Audience: Forage Producers, Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Hay/Forage testing

Content or Curriculum: UK publications and specialists

Inputs: UK Diagnostic Lab

Date: As needed