Beef Cattle - Farmers learning to increase herd efficiency
Increasing Agriculture Awareness and Profitability
Utz
Beef
Forages
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Small Farm Management
Beef cattle production is now one of the largest agriculture enterprises in Trimble County. According to the 2012 Agriculture Census, 89% of county animals sales are made up from the sale of cattle and calves. The Trimble County Cattleman's Association has given several requests for programs that will assist in enhancing their operations.
The Trimble County Cattleman's Association is the largest active group within extension in the county.
Cattle producers will use their existing and new procedures in making their operations more successful.
Cattleman will be able to take all the information given to them and improve their reproduction rates within their herds.
Putting into use more effective ways of managing cattle.
Utilizing research that they have been given and putting it to good use at their operations.
Producers will increase knowledge, learn methods that can be implemented into their operation.
Producers will gain the knowledge of increasing their herds’ fertility goals.
Initial Outcome: Knowledge gained by producers.
Indicator: Number of producers who adopt recommended practices.
Method: Direct contact with producers.
Timeline: Fall
Intermediate Outcome: Knowledge used by producers to improve operations.
Indicator: Number of practices used.
Method: Follow up survey.
Timeline: Spring
Long-term Outcome: Producers will become more efficient and confident in their practices.
Indicator: Number of producers who adopt new practices.
Method: Producers testimonies.
Timeline: Fall -Spring
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Farmers increasing knowledge of reproduction practices.
Method: Direct contact with farmers.
Timeline: Fall
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Use of new knowledge to implement in herds.
Method: Survey to farmers.
Timeline: Spring
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: How many farmers have implemented new procedures on their farm.
Method: Farmers who have increased calving rates.
Timeline: Spring
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Educational Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Marketing, Nutrition
Inputs: Utz, Specialists, Industry Reps, UK pubs
Date: Sept, Oct, Jan, April
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Marketing, Nutrition, Facilities
Inputs: Utz, Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents, Specialists, Industry Reps, UK pubs
Date: Sept, Oct, Nov.
Audience: Beef Consumers
Project or Activity: Healthy Beef Consumption, Farm to Fork
Content or Curriculum: Farmer Transparency, Nutrition
Inputs: Utz, Specialists, Industry Reps, UK pubs
Date: Oct, Nov, Feb
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Care Assurance
Content or Curriculum: Consumer Assurance and Better Manage Practices
Inputs: Utz, BQCA Manual, Agent, UK pub
Date: Fall
Author: Regina Utz
Major Program: Beef
Describe the Issue or Situation.This year, we had a wet spring which resulted in farmers taking longer to get out into the fields to harvest their first hay crop. Or they went to harvest and their hay crop was rained on. Then the summer progressed into being hot and extremely dry, lacking in hay field forage growth. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Trimble County Extension worked with Dr. Katie VanValin from the UK Beef Extension team to br