Extension
It Starts With Us
Growing Better Livestock in Breathitt County
Livestock & Forages
Reed Graham
Beef
Forages
Ag Water Quality Program
There are over 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high prices it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our local Agriculture and Natural Resource agents to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable
Improved Farm Economic Status; Long term viability; Producers save money, reduce expense and increase profits; Improved herd quality; Reduce environmental impact;
Producers implement practices to control the breeding season; Test forage for nutritional quality; Producers utilize a complete mineral supplement program; Producers implement a crossbreeding program; Producers use temporary fencing; Test soils; Implement a managed grazing system; change vaccination protocols; choose feeds based on ingredients; implement an ag water quality plan; Interseed pastures with clover and legumes into fescue; improve cattle handling practices; Change marketing methods; improve heifer development;
Producers become certified as a KY Master Cattleman; Increase awareness in reproduction; genetics, nutrition, health, herd management, economics and marketing; Interpret forage analyses, feed and mineral bag tabs and balance rations; Increase rotational grazing; better cattle handling techniques
Initial Outcome: Producers become more aware of herd management
Indicator: Increased number of producers participating in programs; increase number of farm visits
Method: Compare participation numbers
Timeline: 2017-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Producers begin implementing practices on farm
Indicator: Increase in number of best management practices on farms
Method: Farm visits and demonstrations
Timeline: 2017-2020
Long-term Outcome: Producers gain more profit with less input
Indicator: Producer testimony
Method: Farm Visits and Field Days
Timeline: 2020
Audience: Current Master Cattleman of Breathitt County
Project or Activity: Applied Master Cattleman Program
Content or Curriculum: Lecture & Hands on; various topics
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists; UK Forage Specialists
Date: Spring & Summer of 2016
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: BQA & Cattle Handling Certification
Content or Curriculum: Video and tests
Inputs: UK Specialists, County Agent, Program Assistant
Date: Winter 2017
Audience: Cattle Producers of Breathitt County
Project or Activity: Forage & Hay Testing & Hay Contest
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications; Live Presentations
Inputs: Farm Visits; Hay Contest Presentation
Date: Fall 2016-2020
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Water Quality Plan
Content or Curriculum: State Water Quality Plan Website
Inputs: Assist producers in completing the required WQP
Date: 2016-2020
Audience: Beef Producers of Breathitt County
Project or Activity: Breeding Management
Content or Curriculum: Farm Visits, Estrous Synchronization
Inputs: Specialists, farm visits, a.i. school
Date: 2016-2020
Audience: Hay Producers of Breathitt County
Project or Activity: East KY Hay School
Content or Curriculum: 4 Night Hay School
Inputs: Specialists, Farm Visits
Date: Fall 2017
Audience: Cattle Producers of Breathitt County
Project or Activity: Basic Cattle Handling Series
Content or Curriculum: Lecture & Hands on; various topics
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, Farm Visits
Date: Fall 2018
