LivestockPlan of Work

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Monroe County CES

Title:
Livestock
MAP:
Promoting Agricultural Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Kevin Lyons
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Dairy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Sustainable Agriculture
Situation:

Situation: With livestock numbers being the lowest since 1952 and beef and milk prices falling; producers must become better managers to continue to survive. Becoming a low cost feed producer, improving animal health, and better marketing plans will be necessary to be sustainable in the future.



Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes:

By utilizing better marketing plans, producing more pounds of beef/milk, and reducing input cost; farmers will become more profitable.

Retaining heifers will help producers increase their herd size.

Developing a renewable forage system will help decrease feed cost.

Adoption of improved forages

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes:

Livestock owners will develop a better understanding of marketing options

Producers will begin a more intensive grazing system

Producers will utilize a veterinarian approved animal health plan

Producers will utilize Extension testing services to improve their forages; soil testing and hay testing.

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome:

Producers will have a better idea of possible marketing options

Owners will have a better understanding of grazing systems

Enhance producers understanding of herd health and nutrition.

Awareness of UK publication and research in animal production

Evaluation:

Evaluation:

Outcome: Livestock operations will become more sustainable

Indicator: Reduced cost feed systems and better marketing ideas

Method: Producer reports

Timeline: 2018-2019


Evaluation:

Outcome: Livestock will be healthier due better owner understanding and veterinarian approved plans

Indicator: Have educational sessions at each Cattlemen’s meetings

Method: Number of producers reporting fewer livestock health problems

Timeline: 2017-2020


Evaluation:

Outcome: Producers will develop better grazing plans to help reduce feed cost

Indicator: Attend training opportunities

Method: Grazing Schools, Field Days, and Cattlemen’s meetings

Timeline: 2017-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities:


Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: Cattlemen’s meetings

Content or Curriculum: Specialists, various topics

Inputs: Agents and Specialists

Date:2017-2020




Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Livestock management topics

Inputs: Specialists and successful producers, agents

Date: Annually





Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: Grazing schools and KY Grazing Conference

Content or Curriculum: Livestock grazing topics

Inputs: Specialists

Date: Fall 2016 - 2020




Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: KY Cattlemen’s Annual Conference

Content or Curriculum: Marketing livestock topics

Inputs: Specialists

Date: 2017 - 2020




Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: BQA trainings

Content or Curriculum: BQA presentation and training manuals

Inputs: Kevin Lyons

Date: 2017 - 2020





Success Stories

Tri Co. Equine Field Day

Author: Kevin Lyons

Major Program: Equine

South Central Kentucky is recognized as being a state leader in the areas of beef, dairy, poultry, forage, and tobacco.   However the equine industry is also a very integral part of the agricultural economy.  Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development Extension Agents from Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties joined forces to bring an educational equine field day to South Central KY.  The counties in this working group represent nearly 10,000 horses worth an estimated $18.2 mi

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