Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock Production
Maximizing Farm Profitability in McLean County
David Fourqurean
Beef
Poultry
Swine
Forages
The livestock industry remains an integral part of the McLean County's agriculture economic impact. Producers continue to diversify into many aspects of the livestock industry to maintain a diverse income.
Maximize profits for livestock producers.
Minimize environmental impact on air, soil and the environment.
Improve sustainability of animal livestock production systems.
Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with livestock marketing and marketing trends.
Implement one or more new practices learned through Extension programming.
Complete and implement a Ag Water Quality plan if farm is over 10 acres.
Implement or more BMP's for livestock production.
Identify and cut one or more unnecessary input costs.
Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.
Increase awareness of the program to help producers update Nutrient management plans.
Awareness of current land grant research concerning livestock production.
Identify BMP's for livestock production.
Recognize opportunities for diversification with livestock or new opportunities in livestock production.
Demonstrate proper use of antibiotics in livestock production systems.
Awareness of general public's concerns with livestock production.
Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.
Initial Outcome: Farmers will increase their knowledge of strategies/issues in livestock production.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of strategies/issues involved in livestock production and awareness of Nutrient Management Plans.
Method: farm visit observations and self reporting
Timeline: 2019-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will implement one or more new practices learned at Extension programming.
Indicator: Farmers will report implementing one or more new practices.
Method: Written Evaluation, Observation, Self-Reporting
Timeline: 1-2 years
Long-term Outcome: Farmers will maximize profitability in livestock production systems.
Indicator: Farmers will report an increase in profits and a decrease in inputs.
Method: Written Evaluation, Self-Reporting, Observation
Timeline: 2 years
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Livestock Field Days/Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Nutrition, Health & General Maintenance, Facilities & Equipment, Pasture & Forage Care/Production
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, On-Farm Trials, Extension Pubs, Veterinarians,
Date: Yearly - Summer/Winter
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Educational Programming
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Nutrition, Health & General Maintenance, Facilities & Equipment, Pasture & Forage Care/Production, Marketing, New Opportunities/Diversification, Poultry management webinars
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extension Pubs & Research, Commodity Associations
Date: Yearly - Winter
Audience: 4-H/FFA/Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Shows, Clinics & In-School Programming
Content or Curriculum: Small Scale Production, Animal Health, Responsible Ownership, Judging/Showing
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Extension Pubs, Local & Experienced Farmers, KDA, Livestock Club Leaders
Date: Yearly - During Livestock Shows & During School Semesters
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance
Content or Curriculum: BQA Curriculum
Inputs: ANR Agents
Date: Year round
Audience: Poultry Producers
Project or activity: Poultry Webinars
Content or Curriculum: UGA materials
Input: ANR Agent and specialist
Fall 19 and spring of 2020
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: Beef
The cost of production, in all aspects of agriculture, continues to increase while prices remain stable or decrease. This scenario requires producers to analyze each decision as it relates to margin management. For cow/calf operations, the cost of replacement breeding stock often takes 9 years before a positive return on investment occurs. The need to cull typically coincides with the conclusion of this period, leaving salvage value as the only profit. Understanding genet
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: Beef
Paying attention to details helps to improve the profitability of any business. Dr. Kenneth Burdine, Dr. Greg Halich, and Jonathan Shepherd from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Agricultural Economics Department developed a program titled Cow Calf Profitability. They worked with Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources across the state to deliver the program in five locations across the commonwealth. Program topics focused primarily on managem
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: Poultry
In the fall of 2019 this ANR Agent and a producer were discussing the fact that no poultry production educational sessions were offered by anyone here in Kentucky. This ANR Agent worked to plan the McLean County Poultry Expo in February 2020. The newly renovated Extension Facilities at Myer Creek Park would serve as the meeting location along with a indoor and outdoor trade show. The McLean County Extension Service, the McLean County ANR Agent, field staff from Tyson and Perdue all partner
