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: Beef Cattle Vaccine Program 

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

Inputs: Ag agent, specialist(s) 

Date: November 2018 or March 2019 


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Understanding and Using EPD’s for Bull Selection  

Content or Curriculum:  Beef Genetics 

Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents

Date: November 2018


Audience: Farmers and Landowners

Project or Activity:  Fencing School 

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: Fencing Companies, UK Specialist, Agent

Date: November 2018


Audience: Agriculture and Horticulture Producers 

Project or Activity: Soil Health 

Content or Curriculum: Soil Health 

Inputs: Soils Specialist, Agent

Date: December 2018


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 2019


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Crossbreeding Basics  

Content or Curriculum: Crossbreeding 

Inputs: agents, specialists

Date: February 2019


Audience: Livestock/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Master Hay Maker Series

Content or Curriculum: Master Hay Maker Program 

Inputs: UK specialists, agents

Date: February, March 2019


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 2018


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: May and June 2019 


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 2018 - June 2019


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 2018


Audience: Beef/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Twilight Beef Forage Tour

Content or Curriculum: Local Farm Tour 

Inputs: Campbell County Host Farms

Date: July, August 2018


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Bull Breeding Soundness Exam

Content or Curriculum: Bull BSE

Inputs: Producers, Veterinarians, Agent

Date: April 2019


Audience: Agriculture Council

Project or Activity: Ag Issues meetings

Content or Curriculum: program planning

Inputs: Ag leaders and Ag agent

Date: November, December 2018


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

UK Equine Summit

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Equine

I had the opportunity to serve as secretary of the UK Equine Summit Committee.  In the past, this committee has hosted an Equine Summit program that focused on equine issues of the horse industry (mostly thoroughbreds) in KY. Prior to our first 2018 planning meeting, I suggested we focus the 2018 Equine Summit around meeting the needs of Extension Ag and Natural Resources agents and 4-H agents as it relates to equine programs in their county. The Committee was very receptive to the ide

Full Story

Master Haymaker Programs

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Forages

During the fall of 2017, the Campbell County Agriculture Council identified the need for more in-depth forage production programs. After a second meeting, the Master Grazer Program (Spring 2018) and the Master Haymaker Program (Spring 2019) became the foundation for more intensive forage production programs for Campbell County farmers. After a very productive Master Grazer Program (five part series/52 participants) during the spring of 2018 a Pasture Management Field Day was held on July 10

Full Story

2018 A Year of Rain and Challenges

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Beef

2018 a Year of Rain and Challenges As an Agriculture agent you often need to react to the challenges that the local farmers are facing at that very moment.  Unfortunately these challenges are often the results of weather events (that we have no control over) such as drought, storms or in the case of the spring of 2018 and the winter of 2018/2019, TO MUCH RAIN. The impact of what most farmers would consider too much rain resulted in poor quality hay in 2018 and mud beyond belief for liv

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Flood Damaged Corn

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Grain Crops

Todd and Nancy Kloentrup called me with a voice of urgency and asked for help in determining what to do with 20 acres of silage corn that had been totally immersed (under water for up to 6 days) due to heavy summer rains. I coordinated a farm visit with Dr. Chad Lee, UK Grain Crops Extension Specialists, to look at the flooded corn. Three other farmers, who had flooded corn, also participated in our farm visit. This corn represented a major part of the Kloentrup’s  winter feeding

Full Story
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