Boone County CES

Title:

Beef Cattle Production

MAP:

Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness

Agents Involved:

Jerry Brown, Michelle Simon

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

Situation:

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 Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved public animal handling image

Improved animal welfare

Improved marketing opportunities

Intermediate Outcomes:

Utilize basic principles of dystocia and manage to avoid it

Use proper cattle handling and movement techniques

Construct a cattle handling facility

Utilize proper euthanasia techniques

Use proper transportation practices

Reduce the use of electronic prods, pipes, and sticks for moving animals

Calculate and properly time for castration and dehorning to minimize animal stress

Utilize body condition scoring to manage nutrition of animals

Proper vaccination techniques to improve quality of beef and control of preventable disease

Initial Outcomes:

Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.

Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.

Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: increase in the profitability of beef operations

Method: year-end survey of cattle association members

Timeline: January 2019

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: increase use of recommended beef production practices

Method: year-end survey of cattle association members

Timeline: January 2019

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: increase knowledge of recommended beef production practices

Method: end of class surveys

Timeline: throughout the year

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: increased knowledge of beef cattle management techniques to improve profitability

Method: Master Cattleman Series

Timeline: October through December 2019

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Increased knowledge in health management techniques including vaccinations 

Method: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Trainings 

Timeline: May 2018, May 2019

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:

Method:

Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers

Project or Activity: Beef Integrated Research & Cattle Welfare Programming

Content or Curriculum: video, live presentations, & online courses

Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material

Date: September 2018

Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA)

Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance (BQCA) videotape, handout publication.

Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material

Date: May 2018, May 2019

Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers

Project or Activity: . Beef Cattle Reproductive and Nutritional Improvement Program

Content or Curriculum: Program developed by Agent and Specialists

Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material

Date: September 2018

Success Stories