Improving the Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability of Agriculture OperationsPlan of Work

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Campbell County CES

Title:
Improving the Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability of Agriculture Operations
MAP:
Agriculture Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Don Sorrell
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management
Situation:
According to KY Agriculture Statistics and USDA Farm Census data, Campbell County has approximately 500 farms, averaging 84 acres. Approximately 75% of all Campbell County farming operations are livestock (mostly beef) and forages. Annual gross receipts is just over 8 million dollars while net farm income averages less than $5,000 per farm. With these thoughts in mind, Agriculture and Community leaders representing the CEC, Agriculture Council, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, County Cattle Association and Beef Association have identified a continued need to improve the sustainability and profitability of farming operations in Campbell County. Producers need to implement best management practices that will help them manage inputs, improve production and increase net farm profitability while improving the natural resources of the farm.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Campbell County farmers will show improved farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Campbell County farmers will begin to improve farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.
Initial Outcomes:
Farmers will learn how to improve their production, marketing and natural resource management practices that will help to enhance farm production, profitability and sustainability. Through the participation of education programs and hands-on learning opportunities, farmers will gain knowledge needed to implement these management practices.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome:
Individuals indicate that they gained knowledge and aspire to implement practices on their farm. Farmers will increase knowledge in improved management practices by participating in programs and field days.

Indicator:
Gain evidence through program evaluations, observations and testimonies with producers that indicated increased knowledge gained on recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Increase participation by farmers in educational programs addressing production and natural resources management practices.

Method: Program surveys, testimonials, observations, participation numbers
Timeline: All year, after programs


Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Number of farmers indicating implementation of the best management and natural resources practices needed to increase farm productivity and profitability.

Method: Farm Visits, testimonials, mailed surveys
Timeline: all year, 3 to 6 months after programs,


Long-term Outcome: Farmers will become more productive, and profitable after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices needed to increase farm efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Indicator: Number of farmers indicating increased production, efficiency and profitability after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices.

Method: Post program surveys, farm visits, testimonials, number of implemented practices

Timeline: all year, surveys 6 to 12 months after programs.



Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Implants, Fly Control and Parasite Control Program

Content: Health care program for selecting and using implants, fly control and  de-worming products 

Inputs: Ag agent, specialist(s) 

Date: November  2017 or March 2018 


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Managing Replacement Heifers 

Content or Curriculum: Developing and Managing Replacement Heifers 

Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents

Date: September, October  2017


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Cattle Marketing 

Content or Curriculum: Beef Cattle Marketing Options  

Inputs: UK Specialists, Stockyard speaker,  Agent

Date: September, October  2017


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Cattle Handling Facilities Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Cattle Handling Facilities

Inputs: Producer Farms, Agent

Date: September, August 2017


Audience: Small Flock Poultry Producers

Project or Activity: Backyard Poultry Production

Content or Curriculum: Breeds, Nutrition, Health, Housing and Disease

Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents

Date: March 2018


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Bull Selection 

Content or Curriculum: Using EPD's and Crossbreeding 

Inputs: agents, specialists

Date: February  2018


Audience: Livestock/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Pastures Improvement Series

Content or Curriculum: Pasture Management/Master Grazer

Inputs: UK specialists, agents

Date: July 2017 - March 2018


Audience: Northern KY Farmers/Landowners

Project or Activity: Agritourism Program

Content or Curriculum: Opportunities in Agritourism, Getting started 

Inputs: Specialists, KDA, Producers, agents

Date: November/December 2017


Audience: Campbell County Farmers

Project or Activity: Forage Testing & Ration Balancing Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Dairy One Forage Testing/UK Ration Balancing Program

Inputs: Forage samples, UK publications specialists, agent

Date: November/December 2017


Audience: Campbell County Farmers

Project or Activity: CAIP/ Beginning Farmer Cost Share Programs

Content or Curriculum: CAIP/Beginning Farmer Grant Programs

Inputs: CAIP Guidelines, County Investment programs

Date: July, August 2017


Audience: Campbell County Farmers

Activity: Soil Testing Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Soil Testing Program

Inputs: UK soil lab, soil test recommendations, agent

Date: July 2017 - June 2018


Audience: Beef/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Beef/Forage Tour

Content or Curriculum: Beef/Forage Production Practices

Inputs: Host farms, Cattle Association Board, Agent, Participants

Date: October 2017


Audience: Beef/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Twilight Beef Forage Tour

Content or Curriculum: Local Farm Tour, Warm Season Forages 

Inputs: Campbell County Host Farms

Date: July, August 2017


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Bull Breeding Soundness Exam

Content or Curriculum: Bull BSE

Inputs: Producers, Veterinarians, Agent

Date: April 2018


Audience: Agriculture Council

Project or Activity: Ag Issues meetings

Content or Curriculum: program planning

Inputs: Ag leaders and Ag agent

Date: November, December 2017


Audience: Campbell County Cattle Association Board of Directors/general membership

Project or Activity: Board meetings and annual membership meeting

Content or Curriculum: Program planning and prioritization

Inputs: CCCA leaders, agriculture agent and CCCA members

Date: Monthly meetings, Second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.




Success Stories

Master Grazer Program

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Forages

During the fall of 2017, the Campbell County Agriculture Council identified the need for an in-depth program on pasture management. During a second meeting of the Ag Council, specific program topics were identified. These pasture management topics became the foundation for the spring 2018 Master Grazer (MG) Program. The ANR agent worked with UK Forage specialists to develop the PowerPoints for this four session program.  The MG program was taught by the Campbell County ANR agent and include

Full Story

Financial Resources for Beginning Farmer

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

After a very successful fall 2016 Homesteading and Farm Start program, and based on the program surveys, the request for additional financial support and direction was identified as a need by the beginning farmers. To address this need, the Campbell County ANR agent developed two programs to address opportunities for financial assistance: Ag Organizations and Beginning Farmer Grant Program.The Ag Organizations program was developed to give beginning farmers an opportunity to understand the

Full Story

Beef Cattle Efficiency

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Beef

For the past 4 years, Campbell County beef programs have focused on reproductive efficiency. This program has resulted in a significant increase in reproductive efficiency through the implementation of production practices such as MGA (feed additive) or CIDR’s (controlled internal drug releasing devices) to synchronize beef herds, replacement heifers and late calving cows. Continued use of blood testing has shown excellent pregnancy testing results.During the 2017-2018 Extension progr

Full Story
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