Beef/Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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Elliott County CES

Title:
Beef/Livestock Production
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Ag agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
Situation:
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture there are 6,196 cattle and calves on 389 farms in Elliott County. With the increase in beef prices over the past several years in the United States many beef producers in Elliott County are considering increasing the size of their cow calf operations with their increased profits.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Elliott County cattle producers will decrease invasive weed populations in their pasture and hay fields by ten percent leading to a 30 day longer grazing period. Elliott County cattle producers will also increase their weaning weights by five percent and begin utilizing EPD's for genetic selection. Elliott County cattle producers will also begin incorporating Artificial Insemination into their breeding operations.
Intermediate Outcomes:
-Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the CPH 45 sales will increase by five percent.
-Elliott County cattle producers will begin utilizing soil test to balance nutrients in their pasture and hay fields.
-Elliott County cattle producers will begin evaluating there pasture land to increase their grazing days.
Initial Outcomes:
-Elliott County cattle producers will become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified.
-Elliott County cattle producers will develop and adopt recommended vaccination programs and incorporate them into there operations.
Elliott County cattle producers will increase their overall knowledge of management, genetics and marketing.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will increase overall knowledge of management, genetics and marketing.
Method: Follow up surveys with producers
Timeline: After each meeting with producers

Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will utilize soil test to balance nutrients and soil test will increase by ten percent.
Method: Total number of pasture soil test in the Soil Data Program.
Timeline: End of each calendar year.

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will increase their weaning weights by five percent.
Method: Elliott County Ag Statistics and producers records.
Timeline: After each calf crop is weaned and sold
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Annual Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations

Inputs: Ag agents, UK Specialists and Farmers

Date: September


Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Educational Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Cattlemen's Association

Inputs: Guest speakers

Date: November, December, February and April


Audience: Livestock producers and Farmers

Project or Activity: Heifer Development Program

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures

Inputs: Ag agents, Vets, UK Specialists and Farmers

Date: June-December


Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Cow Calf Conference

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures

Inputs: Specialist from other states

Date: November



Success Stories

2017 Hay Programs

Author: Keith Center

Major Program: Forages

Hay and pasture production is a leading component of agriculture production in Elliott County. According to the 2016 United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Statistics Service data indicated over 20,000 tons of hay are harvested on approximately 9,000 acres of farmland in the county. Extension agents in Carter, Elliott and Rowan counties adapted an educational program on hay production initiated by ANR agents in western Kentucky to meet the needs of farmers in eastern Kentucky. The

Full Story

2017 Field Day

Author: Keith Center

Major Program: Beef

A farm field day was hosted by the Elliott County Agriculture Council and County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources (Keith Center) at the Elliott County Cooperative Extension Office on October 28th, 2017. Topics for the field day included: eastern Kentucky forages, eastern Kentucky Soil Fertility, eastern Kentucky weeds and grasses identification workshop, breeding soundness exams in bulls, and forage and fertility correlation.Concluding the field day was the Beef Quality Assu

Full Story
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