Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop Production/ Litter Utilization
Maximizing Farm Profitability in McLean County
David Fourqurean
Grain Crops
Ag Marketing
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Ag Marketing
Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the the foreseeable future. Grain crop producers are also facing factors not related to agriculture that affect the markets, exports and their profitability.
Maximize profits for crop producers.
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil or living area.
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems.
Significant percentage of producers implementing safety and responsibility concerning pesticide use.
Increase positive impact of chicken litter to producers operations.
Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with grain marketing and marketing trends.
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production.
Utilize social media and/or other outlets to increase awareness of pesticide safety and management practices.
Use diagnostic services to identify insect, disease and weed issues.
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations.
Implementation of on-farm trials.
Identify reasons why litter utilization is being mismanaged.
Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.
Increase understanding of production regulations.
Understanding chemical safety and hazards.
Understanding importance of on-farm trials.
Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production.
Identify herbicide resistant pest and strategies to overcome these pest.
Understanding of value of social media in promoting production agriculture.
Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.
Increase production due to better utilization of chicken litter.
Initial Outcome: Farmers will be able to identify new strategies in crop production.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of new crop production strategies.
Method: Written Evaluation, Verbal Evaluation
Timeline: 6-12 months
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will implement one or more practice that was learned at an Extension program.
Indicator: Farmers report implementing one or more new practice.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation, Observation
Timeline: 9-18 months
Long-term Outcome: Farmers are able to minimize cost and maximize profits utilizing Extension research, publications and services.
Indicator: Farmers will report decrease in input cost and increase in profits.
Method: Written Evaluation, Farm Business Analysis Reports
Timeline: 2-3 years
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Grain Day Program
Content or Curriculum: Research Plot Data, Specialist Talks/Presentations
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, On-Farm Research Trials, Publications
Date: 2019
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Marketing/Farm Management Programs
Content or Curriculum: Grain Marketing Strategies, Ag Marketing Clubs, Farm Management
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extension Pubs, Farm Analysis Group,
Date: 2019
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Crop Related Field Days/Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: On-Farm Research Trials, Specialist Talks/Presentations, Agent Presentations,
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extensions Pubs, On-Farm Research Trials, Commodity Associations,
Date: 2018-19
Audience: poultry and grain producers
Project or Activity: Litter Management Program
Content or Curriculum: Litter analysis, management strategies, Budgets and research publication
Inputs: University Specialists
Date: Winter 2018 - Spring 2019
