Beef/Livestock Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ag agent
Beef
Farm Management
Forages
Soils
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture there are 6,196 cattle and calves on 389 farms in Elliott County. With the increase in beef prices over the past several years in the United States many beef producers in Elliott County are considering increasing the size of their cow calf operations with their increased profits.
Elliott County cattle producers will decrease invasive weed populations in their pasture and hay fields by ten percent leading to a 30 day longer grazing period. Elliott County cattle producers will also increase their weaning weights by five percent and begin utilizing EPD's for genetic selection. Elliott County cattle producers will also begin incorporating Artificial Insemination into their breeding operations.
-Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the CPH 45 sales will increase by five percent.
-Elliott County cattle producers will begin utilizing soil test to balance nutrients in their pasture and hay fields.
-Elliott County cattle producers will begin evaluating there pasture land to increase their grazing days.
-Elliott County cattle producers will become Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) certified.
-Elliott County cattle producers will develop and adopt recommended vaccination programs and incorporate them into there operations.
Elliott County cattle producers will increase their overall knowledge of management, genetics and marketing.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will increase overall knowledge of management, genetics and marketing.
Method: Follow up surveys with producers
Timeline: After each meeting with producers
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will utilize soil test to balance nutrients and soil test will increase by ten percent.
Method: Total number of pasture soil test in the Soil Data Program.
Timeline: End of each calendar year.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will increase their weaning weights by five percent.
Method: Elliott County Ag Statistics and producers records.
Timeline: After each calf crop is weaned and sold
Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association
Project or Activity: Annual Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations
Inputs: Ag agents, UK Specialists and Farmers
Date: September
Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association
Project or Activity: Educational Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Cattlemen's Association
Inputs: Guest speakers
Date: November, December, February and April
Audience: Livestock producers and Farmers
Project or Activity: Stocker program
Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures
Inputs: Ag agents, Vets, UK Specialists and Farmers
Date: April-September
Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association
Project or Activity: Cow Calf Conference
Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures
Inputs: Specialist from other states
Date: November
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Forages
Hay and pasture production is a leading component of agriculture production in Elliott County. According to the 2017 United States Department of Agriculture Statistics Service data indicated 20,500 tons of hay are harvested on approximately 7,900 acres of farm land in the county. Therefore, the Elliott County Agriculture Council and CEA for ANR felt that forage testing was essential for the farmers in Elliott County and signed up to participate in the East Kentucky Hay Contest for the second con
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
A field day was hosted by the Elliott County Agriculture Council and Cooperative Extension Agent for ANR Keith Center, at the Elliott County High School on October 6, 2018. Topics included: Fencing and On-Farm Water, Forage Improvement, Forage and Grain Improvement, Farm Infrastructure Grain Bins, and Tech and Leadership Farm Safety.Concluding the field day, was the Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) Certification training videos and exams where 42 producers attended and completed the traini