Extension
It Starts With Us
Animal Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Harned
Beef
Chemical Livestock Management Tools
Sustainable Agriculture
Local Food Systems
Commercial cattle remain by far the top economic livestock species in the county. Horses are still increasing in number but are mostly for pleasure, although many are bought and sold. Goat numbers are leveling off, at least for commercial sales purposes, although purebred breeding stock and show quality animals remain in great demand. Sheep are not am economic factor and remain low in numbers. We are seeing a slight increase in pigs/hogs, both breeding and market, mostly due to the increase in numbers being exhibited at the county fair.
One area that we are seeing a significant interest in is managing land for wildlife, mostly for hunting purposes but also just for viewing enjoyment.
For owners of all farm animal species, they will improve the way their livestock are handled and cared for as we become more responsive to the demands of the consumers concerned about animal welfare as well as the meat products that come from these animals. Additionally, they will implement practices that are more protective of the environment in raising and maintaining their stock. The real trick will be integrating the above proctices while still reataining the ability to make a profit on the ruminants and swine. Equine owners, while many are not economically driven, will still improve the conditions their animals live and recreate in.
Horse owners will be better enabled to care for their animals by changing or adjusting the way they address feeding, daily maintenance, reproduction, etc. of their animals. Catlle owners will continue to apply the information that they receive to improve the productiveness of their animals, through increased nutritional information as well as health care, handling and facilities. Small ruminant owners will continue to improve their genetics through buck collections and AI as well as implementing better health care and nutritional methods. They will also continue to integrate into their operations the practices neccesary to protect the environment, including water resources and the quality of life of their charges while in their care.
Cattle owners will continue to gain the knowlwdge and skills neccesary to keep their operations profitable. This will include re-enforcing current practices as well as those that develop moving forward. They will stay informed about changing laws and regulations that will affect them and their operations. Horse owners will gain knowledge about caring for their animals, as will small ruminant owners.
Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge and/or skills gained in addressing production effieciency as well as changing social expectations of their chosen operations.
Indicator: More attendance at programs addressing the above isses
Method: Program pre- and post evaluation instruments, if appropriate, and group and individual follow-up
Timeline: 2017-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Agriculture animal owners will implement changes in the operations that address social, environmental and production issues.
Indicator: Increased practices put into action on the farms and farmsteads addressing environmantal, socail and production issues
Method: On-site visits, increase in number of contacts addressing the issues, personal contacts
Timeline: 2017-2020
Long-term Outcome: Negetive environmental impact from animal agriculture will be greatly lessened, the social perspective will improve and the livestock producers will still be profitable, more efficient and still in operation.
Indicator: Improved water quality from testing results, increased livestock production/profits, a more favorable look from the public of animal agriculture.
Method: Site-visits, personal contacts, word of mouth from the public
Timeline: 2017-2020 and beyond
Audience: Property owners with livestock
Project or Activity: Proper fencing program/demonstration(s)
Content or Curriculum: How to make sufficient fences to contain animals as well as to protect/preserve water ways from the animals while still being able to use the water resource
Inputs: Cooperators, fencing supplies, industry experts, UK specialists, Extension agents
Date: 2017-19
Audience: Beef Producers (HBCA)
Project or Activity: Monthly meetings with educational programs
Content or Curriculum: Fencing; processing; forage production; health care issues; genetics. marketing
Inputs: Agents, state specialist, industry experts, KDA, KBN
Date: Monthly, annually
Audience: Beef cattle producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattleman’s Program, Beginning and Advanced
Content or Curriculum: State Master cattleman curriculum
Inputs: Agents, facilities, state specialists
Date: 2018
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Ag Water Quality Plan workshop
Content or Curriculum: Ag Water Quality Plan computer program and printed materials
Inputs: Agent, Conservation Office, facilities, computers, copies
Date: Periodical 2017-2020
Audience: Wildlife enthusiasts and general landowners
Project or Activity: Developing wildlife food plots
Content or Curriculum: How to develop food plots for increased hutritional health of wildlife, including game animals for harvesting, as well as just backyard type viewing pleasure
Inputs: Extension agents, facilities, plot work, wildlife cameras
Date:2017-18
Audience: County and area farmers
Project or Activity: Basic Nutrient Management Plan education program
Content or Curriculum: NRCS, UK, USDA materials as needed
Inputs: Agent, specialists, NRCS personnel
Date: Periodically 2017-2020
Audience: Livestock owners
Project or Activity: Expand livestcok composting program
Content or Curriculum: UK specialist provided materials
Inputs: Composting site, composting materials, tractor, personnel to input animals
Date: Continuous, starting in 2017
Audience: Goat Producers
Project or Activity: AI and Collection Program
Content or Curriculum: Genetics
Inputs: Agent, facilities, AI and repro specialist
Date: Fall, Annually
Audience: Goat Producers
Project or Activity: Goat College
Content or Curriculum: UK and Purdue Health, nutrition, breeding, and parasite control
Inputs: Agent, facilities, State specialist form UK, KSU, and Purdue
Date: Each fall/winter
Audience: Goat Producers
Project or Activity: Tri-State Goat Association meetings
Content or Curriculum: Nutrition; parasite control; purebred vs. registered vs. crossbred; putting on sanctioned shows; foot care; forages suitable for goats; etc.
Inputs: Agents, state specialist, industry experts,
Date: Monthly, annually
Audience: Equine Owners, County Saddle Club members
Project or Activity: Monthly meeting with educational programming offered
Content or Curriculum: Various, depends on requests and needs
Inputs: Agents, specialists, facilities
Date: Monthly, annually
Audience: Equine Owners, horse enthusiasts
Project or Activity: Horse College, Advanced Horse College
Content or Curriculum: Horse College, Advanced Horse College
Inputs: Agents, specialists, industry experts, facilities
Date: 2018-2019
Audience: Forage Animal Producers
Project or Activity: Master Grazer Program
Content or Curriculum: KY State Curriculum
Inputs: In conjunction with other counties,; agents, local farms and farners, state specialists, facilities, etc.
Date: 2018-19
