Extension
It Starts With Us
Improve Management and Marketing Skills
Sustainable Livestock System
ANR Agent, Meagan Klee
Beef
Dairy
Forages
Sustainable Agriculture
Over the last several years Casey County farmers have taken advantage of generous commodity prices to increase the acres of row crops, 8300 acres of corn planted and 7,900 acres of soybeans planted in 2015. This increase has put a strain on our hay and grazing acres, 36,800 acres of hay harvested and 1,400 acres of alfalfa harvested in 2015. Although few beef cattle herds have declined, with 35,500 all Cattle and Calves, several hay acres have decreased. With the decline of hay and grazing acre producers have recognized the need to improve their forage base on their hay and pasture ground. Livestock markets are ever changing and many times volatile. Input costs don’t seem to follow the changing livestock market as quickly as producers need causing producers to be less profitable. Through surveys, conversations with farmers, the County Extension Council, and the Agriculture Advisory Council they have put an emphasis on sustainable farming practices for forage and livestock production, grain production, and horticulture production.
Youth livestock programs can teach young farmers best management practices and give them the chance to continue the family farm.
Producers who are able to compete with higher costs of production will stay in business and be more sustainable. Utilize new markets and alternative marketing techniques.
Producers will consider changing practices in order to become more efficient. Some of these practices include: rotational grazing, ration balancing, forage utilization and testing, soil testing, time management, record keeping, and trying different marketing strategies to sell their product.
Producers will gain knowledge and skills about improving efficiency in agriculture production by participating in Extension programs.
Initial Outcome: Farmer (youth & adult) adoption of new practices
Indicator: Personal contacts and surveys. Youth choosing Ag-related careers.
Method: Farm visits and observations. Monitor participation in educational meetings and special extension programs.
Timeline: Winter, summer
Intermediate Outcome: Increase farmer (youth & adult) participation
Indicator: Number of farmers attending Ag programs.
Method: Farm visits, increase mailing lists, personal contacts.
Timeline: Winter
Long-term Outcome: More producers staying in business and farms being passed onto future generations.
Indicator: Number of youth participating in agriculture related fields and returning to the farm.
Method: General observations of the age of producers
Timeline: Winter
Audience: Casey County farmers, youth and other interested parties.
Project or Activity: Field Trial Demonstrations; Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: various on-farm demonstrations throughout the community
Inputs: volunteers, specialists
Date: Spring or Fall
Audience: Casey County farmers, youth and other interested parties
Project or Activity: Livestock Meetings; Showing Livestock at County/District/State Shows
Content or Curriculum: Management techniques of livestock
Inputs: Specialist
Date: All year
Audience: Casey County farmers, youth and other interested parties
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance; Pork Quality Assurance
Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance Curriculum
Inputs: Extension office
Date: Fall
