Webster County CES

Title:

Educational Opportunities for Livestock Producers

MAP:

Animal Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Shadrick

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Ag Water Quality Program

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Chemical Livestock Management Tools

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Forages

Situation:

There are over 400,000 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. In 2012, Total Value of Animal Sales, including products, for Webster County was $58,053,000.00. Cattle and calves makeup 14% while poultry and eggs make up 86%. Even with high prices, it is important to education beef producers on best management practices. With a large number of poultry houses in Webster County, water and nutrient management is a priority. Educational programs are needed to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Build the reputation and value of KY cattle

Improved end product quality and food safety

Enhanced profitability by selling value-added calves

Improve efficiency of manure handling

Protect and improve water quality

Intermediate Outcomes:

Have access to premium markets

Employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.

Market cattle in large uniform lots, access to premiums for better management

Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management and implement Ag Water Quality plans

Initial Outcomes:

Understand importance of clean water

Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality

Recognize best management practices for soil conservation

Identify best management practices for nutrient management

Gain knowledge of BMPS for proper injection techniques for cattle, proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time and proper handling techniques

Raise awareness of CPH-45 program requirements and benefits

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Knowledge gained for BMPs for protecting water quality through manure management

Method: survey

Timeline: immediately after program

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: number of water quality plans written or updated

Method: UK AG Water Quality evaluation tool

Timeline: given after educational program

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Improve efficiency of manure handling

Method: follow-up interviews and surveys

Timeline: 6-18 months after program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Webster County Producers and Landowners

Project or Activity: Green River Area Master Cattlemen

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Master Cattlemen Cirriculum

Inputs: UK Specialist, UK Extension Agents, NRCS, Conservation District

Date: Winter 2018-19

Audience: Webster County Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Annual Beef Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Based on current beef and livestock issues

Inputs: UK specialists, Agents, Webster County Cattlemen's Association, Pasture to plate, KBN

Date: Winter 2018-early Spring 2019

Audience: Webster County Beef Producers

Project or Activity: UK summer grazing demonstration and field day

Content or Curriculum:  UK Publications

Inputs: Specialist, agents, Cattlemen's Association, NRCS

Date: Summer 2018

Success Stories