Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock Production
Sustainable Agriculture
Tad Campbell, Mary Jane Little
Beef
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Pesticide Safety – Livestock Pests
With the uncertainty of tobacco production and continued grain price drops over the last year, more of Mason County fields are seeing an increase of forage conversions. Producers are returning to livestock production to generate farm income, primarily beef cattle. Mason County has traditionally been views as a tobacco and cattle county and now with other commodities returning to normal pricing structure, cattle numbers are increasing for the county. Other types of livestock such as sheep/goats and hogs also seem to be slightly increasing. Youth livestock interest has been a part of the increasing numbers of livestock. Continuing to educate youth about livestock production is vital for sustainability of the industry.
Local producers working with the IRM project increase quality genetics, narrow calving seasons, and have uniform grouped calves increasing profits for the operations. Producers and youth see increased profits to livestock operations. Producers and youth utilize controlled grazing systems, narrow calving windows, higher health management systems, and improving genetics to develop a profitable livestock operation. Youth involvement in agriculture results in financial gains from livestock enterprises or enter workforce in an livestock field.
Producers utilize tools such as EPDs, breeding soundness exams, nutritional plans, hay testing, or other management tools to increase the efficiency of livestock operations.
Producers and youth select genetics based on production needs and increase herd health management to increase profits. Producers look for more marketing methods to add value to current livestock operation. Producers select replacements using UK/KDA heifer replacement guidelines to reduce risk of calving problems.
Producers learn methods for controlled grazing through improving forage quality and varieties and gain knowledge to develop rotational grazing layouts. Producers learn to use genetic information to increase livestock quality for farm operation. Youth learn about livestock production through skill a thon, judging programs, and the certified livestock program.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: producers indicate learned methods
Method: program questionnaire
Timeline: following program delivery
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Using new genetics, incorporating quality forages
and grazing systems
Method: Personal contact/mail survey
Timeline: 6 months following program
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Increased revenue from practice changes; more efficient management
Method: Phone survey/personal contact
Timeline: 6-8 months following program
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: # of scholarships for youth, jobs/career youth enter of agriculture basis
Method: follow up evaluation
Timeline: 3-4 years following program
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: # of youth herds, home grown animals for projects
Method: survey
Timeline: fall shows, state fair
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: skillathon, club meeting quizzes
Method: questionnaire at club meetings
Timeline: annual (fall)
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Master Marketer Program/Grazer/Stocker
Content or Curriculum: Course curriculum for Master Marketer, Grazer, Stocker
Inputs: Extension Office, transportation, materials, food
Date: Winter/Spring
Audience: Horse Owners
Project or Activity: Horse College
Content or Curriculum: Forages, Health, Hoof Care, Nutrition
Inputs: Extension Office, internet delivery, food, materials
Date: Fall
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Elite Heifer Sale
Content or Curriculum: UK/KDA Guidelines
Inputs: Sale center, vets, producers, scales, advertisements
Date: October
Audience: Female Farm Owners/Operators
Project or Activity: Farm School for Women
Content or Curriculum: Agents of Buffalo Trace/ UK Specialist/ Volunteer Professionals
Inputs: Extension Office, transportation, materials, food
Date: Winter/Spring
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Skillathon
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Certification Materials
Inputs: practices, local leaders, livestock supplies, extension office
Date: Spring/Summer
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Shows
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Certification Materials
Inputs: local leaders, clinics, animals from local farms, extension office
Date: Spring/Summer
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Safety
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Certification Materials
Inputs: local leaders, program materials, extension office, local producer facilities
Date: Fall
Audience: youth
Project: Livestock & Horse judging
Content: volunteer certification
Inputs: Local trained volunteers, supplies, animals
Date: Spring each year
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Beef IRM Project
Content or Curriculum: Farm Plans developed by IRM Team for local farms.
Inputs: Extension Office, transportation, materials, scales, local farms, IRM Team
Date: Winter/Spring
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Beef
With cattle profits tightening over the last couple of years for feeder calves, producers are looking for ways to maximize profits for cattle operations. The University of Kentucky Beef Specialist and Beef IRM Coordinator hosted multiple fence-line weaning demonstrations across the state. The demonstrations were organized to allow nose to nose contact with cows and calves during the initial weaning time and also input cost was evaluated in layouts of the demonstrations. Mason C
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Realizing the limitation of educational based events geared for entire family involvement, the Extension Services in Kentucky and Ohio along with Maysville Community and Technical College partnered to develop and implement Farm Family Night, a program offering over 30 educational sessions to all segments of the family. Over 700 members of agriculture families attended educational sessions during the evening due to sponsorship by Farm Credit Services, Hinton Mills, Rip’s Farm Center, Meadow
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Beef
The Cooperative Extension Service is structured to utilize research based information and concepts by state specialists and incorporating the research for practical local on-farm efficiency. Adding efficiencies to farming operations during times of low economical gains provides operations the opportunity to continue to strive towards financial independence. Working with state agriculture engineering specialist, three different producers developed facilities to make farm operations mo
