Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock Production
Develop Economic Sustainability
Steve Osborne
Beef
Pesticide Safety – Livestock Pests
Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Since January 2011, Allen County has seen a reduction in all cattle and calves from 58,000 head and beef cows with 20,500 head to 37,000 head in all cattle and calves and 18,200 beef cows in January 2014. Many producers were caught between the need to maintain the current production level of their beef enterprises and the high cost of inputs and calf prices which has led to culling inefficient cows and not retaining heifers for their cow herds. Allen County, like other cattle producing areas, are slowly rebuilding cattle numbers in response to many herd reductions due to high prices over the past few years.
The impact of many beef related Phase I projects continues to be seen with improved genetics and herd health care. The leadership of the Beef Cattle Association and the Allen County Agriculture Advancement Council has identified beef production (i.e. herd health, nutrition, marketing, etc.) as one of the highest priorities for Extension in Allen County.
There continues to be interest in the county in sheep and goat production primarily to meet the demands of ethnic customers from surrounding urban areas.
Commercial swine and poultry production is present in Allen County; however, these operations are dependent on company resources for consultation.
Aspects of these programs will incorporate youth development programming.
* Allen County will maintain profitable livestock operations that contribute reasonable profits to producers enterprises and the county's economic base.
* Producers raise their livestock humanely and are considerate of environmental protection.
* Livestock producers will adopt Extension recommended production and marketing practices to develop profitable livestock enterprises.
*Livestock producers will implement Phase I sponsored projects and enterprises to improve their livestock enterprises.
* Livestock producers will increase their knowledge and skills of livestock production through information obtained through Extension sponsored educational events and resources.
* Livestock producers will participate apply for Phase I funding for livestock improvement projects and attend Phase I educational events.
Initial Outcome: Livestock producers become more knowledgeable about research proven production techniques from information received from Extension related sources.
Indicator: Number of livestock producers indicating an increase in knowledge received from Extension recommendations.
Method: "Show of Hands" surveys, post meeting surveys, one on one consultations.
Timeline: Immediately following the educational event or 2 weeks to 6 months later.
Intermediate Outcome: Livestock producers will adopt livestock production practices and/or skills to their livestock enterprises.
Indicator: The number of producers that have implemented changes to their livestock production practices.
Method: Post meeting surveys, one on one consultations.
Timeline: 6 - 12 months past educational event.
Long-term Outcome: Producers will see increase in profits from their livestock enterprises.
Indicator: Producers indicating that are realizing increased profits from their livestock enterprise, evidence of expansion in the enterprise.
Method: Personal visits, one on one consultation, observation, agricultural statistics.
Timeline: Yearly
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Monthly Cattlemen Association educational meetings
Content or Curriculum: Recommended production and marketing practices
Inputs: County Extension personnel, State Extension Specialists, Industry personnel, Extension publications and other resources.
Date: August 2017 - June 2018
Audience: Agricultural Producers
Project or Activity: Allen County Agricultural Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Extension recommended production practices
Inputs: County Extension Personnel, Extension State Specialists, Extension publications and other resources, Industry Personnel, Local Producers
Date: Fall 2017 - June 2018
Audience: CAIP Participants
Project or Activity: CAIP Educational Sessions
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Production and/or Farm Management Topics
Inputs: County Extension Personnel, State Extension Specialists, Extension Derived Educational Materials
Date: September 2017 - April 2018
Audience:4-H Youth Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock and Horse Clubs
Content or Curriculum:4-H Horse, Livestock curriculum
Inputs: Paid Staff, volunteers, funding
Date:July-June
Audience:4-H Youth Parents
Project or Activity:County & State fair
Content or Curriculum:State Fair rules, 4-H curriculum
Inputs:Paid staff, volunteers
Date:July-June
Audience:4-H Special Needs Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Special Riders
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horse Curriculum
Inputs:Paid staff, volunteers
Date:Sept-May
Audience:4-H volunteers
Project or Activity:Livestock/Horse Certification
Content or Curriculum:Certification curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, paid staff, funds
Date:Sept - Oct.-Jan
