Boyd County CES

Title:

Forages and Crop Management

MAP:

Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Agents Involved:

Harned

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Integrated Plant Pest Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Sustainable Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Ag Water Quality Program

Situation:

Forages are by far the largest crop grown in the county, both as pasture and stored feed, i.e. hay, baleage, silage, etc. Grain production is not a significant enterprise within the county, being grown commercially by fewer than 5 producers and for on farm use, other that as silage, by 15-20 in small acreages, so educational information for those crops are delivered more on an individual basis as needed or requested. However there does seem to be a renewed interest in grains and legumes as cover crops and for inter-seeding into pastures for winter grazing.

Long-Term Outcomes:

By putting new and/or improved production practices and products, of whatever type, into use in their yearly operations, the producers will see and increase in the quantity and quality of their crops in a very sustainable manner. When this occurs, the income for the producer should also increase creating the opportunity for a better lifestyle for them and their families.

Intermediate Outcomes:

There will be a continued increase in adopting new research based production improvements, practices and technologies. There will also be an increase in the number of producers adopting new varieties, and maybe even species, that are not currently being used in the county or region. These changes will be based on their improved understanding of why these are good changes to adapt into their production system.

Initial Outcomes:

Forage producers will continue to attend classes and programs related to their product to gain information and skills needed to increase production, both with quality and quantity. As more GMO seeds and other scientific and/or technological advances for forages come onto the market, so does the need to continually educate the producers about the production values as well as the social values, both positives and negatives. Re-enforcement will also continue to be presented as to the positive effects for traditional production improvements such as soil testing, forage quality testing, correct seeding, etc. This will include educating local farm supply stores on the benefits of offering these new or improved seeds, equipment, etc.

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Hay Producers

Project or Activity: Annual Eastern Kentucky Hay Testing Program and Contest

Content or Curriculum: Understanding Hay Test Results publication

Inputs: Agent taking samples, state specialists, KDA testing for free

Date: Late summer/early fall annually

Audience: Farmers in Boyd County

Project or Activity: Free soil testing

Content or Curriculum: Understanding soil test results pub and personal contact

Inputs: Agent, Extension Office, Conservation Office and County Farm Bureau (split costs)

Date: Annually

Audience: Any and all farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Provide training for using and access to no-till seeders, sprayer, hay wrapper for on-farm use, weed wiper, hydro-seeder, sprayer, small plot seeder, pasture aerator, squeeze chute/head catch, corral system

Content or Curriculum: Mandatory training in use of each use

Inputs: Extension Agent, Conservation Office, equipment, storage facility, maintenance

Date: Continuously

Audience: Local potential producers and consumers

Project or Activity: Demonstration plots of Ancient Grains grown organically

Content or Curriculum: Basic grain production and EMRI standards applied

Inputs: Seed, cooperator, specialists as needed

Date: 2017-18

Audience: Land owners, farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Demonstration plots on various cover crop options

Content or Curriculum: Production examples of various species selected

Inputs: Seed, cooperator, Extension agent, specialists

Date: 2017-18

Audience: Anyone in tri-state area, but specifically farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Northeast Kentucky Farm Machinery and Supply Show

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Inputs: Facilities, Extension agent, County Extension Ag Advisory Council, local farm machinery dealers, local farm supply stores

Date: Annually

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Success Stories