Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock, Poultry & Crops
Promoting Commodities & Crop Production
C. Guffey
Beef
Forages
Grain Crops
Ag Marketing
Livestock and Poultry production make up the majority of farm income for Clinton County producers at $25.99 million, with poultry being the top commodity according to the Kentucky County Agriculture & Food Profiles (2012). Crop sales totaled $3.78 million. With producers facing declining prices for grain crops and feeder calves, a need was identified by the Ag program council to assist producers in finding ways to reduce input costs, become more efficient, and improve net farm income.
•Improved input efficiency
•Improved production and profitability of forage-based livestock systems.
•Reducing input costs and increasing profits for grain producers.
•Reduced environmental impact
•Utilize the futures and options market to limit downside market risk.
•Improved cash flow from utilizing budgets to make decisions.
•Be proactive in preventing herbicide resistance in grain crops.
•Improved litter utilization by grain and forage producers.
•Use the feeder cattle futures and options market to make price predictions and predict market direction.
•Develop a grazing plan
•Producers utilize budgeting tools to make purchasing and marketing decisions.
•Develop proper record keeping techniques for the farming operation.
•Awareness of forage trial information and recommended variety tables.
•Develop marketing strategies that assist producers with price risk.
•Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species.
•Awareness of budgeting tools for Livestock, poultry and grain crop production.
Initial Outcome: Improving knowledge of grazing practices
Indicator: Producers increasing production through grazing techniques.
Method: Surveys and site visits.
Timeline: Fall
Initial Outcome: Participation in county programming increases.
Indicator: Attendance numbers.
Method: Rosters.
Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter
Long term Outcome: Improved production and profitability of forage based livestock systems
Indicator: producers reporting improvements in production and profitability
Method: surveys
Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter
Initial Outcome: Awareness of budgeting tools available
Indicator: producers utilizing budgeting tools and templates.
Method: Surveys and site visits.
Timeline: Fall & Winter
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care Assurance trainings
Content or Curriculum: Cattle Handling & Care Training Materials
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Winter 2019/20
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Twin Lakes Cattle Assoc. Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beef Cattle production topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Clinton-Cumberland County Cattleman’s Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beef cattle production topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Summer 19, Fall, Winter 2019/20
Audience: Poultry Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Managing Poultry Litter for Profit
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: TBD
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Fall/Winter 2019/20
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: CAIP Trainings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: As Needed
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Fertilizer Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: Ongoing
Activity: Forage Testing
Audience: Forage Producers
Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: UK forage and Nutrition Specialists
Date: Ongoing
Activity: Horse owner forage production
Audience: Horse owners
Content or Curriculum: Pastures please or Horse College
Inputs: UK forage and Equine Specialists
Date: Winter/Spring 19/20
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Beef
A local beef producer contacted the Extension office with a request for assistance on renovating an old barn to work cattle. UK Extension bio-systems and Ag engineering specialist along with the local ANR agent made a farm visit to view the existing structure and take measurements. The producer explained their goals, and how they would like the cattle to flow through the system. The UK specialist put together some options for remodeling the old barn to get setup for cattle working. T
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Grain Crops
A local row crop producer contacted the local Extension office enquiring about the best source of Nitrogen for top-dressing wheat. His goal is to switch to 100% granulated Urea for top-dressing wheat, he is currently using liquid Nitrogen. The dry Urea will allow him to cover more acres in a timely manner. The Clinton Co. and Cumberland Co. ANR Agents setup an on-farm Nitrogen study for the producer. The nitrogen plots are replicated 3 times using treated granulated Urea, un-tr
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Forages
Beef producers making round bale hay have been encouraged to protect their investment in the stored forage by limiting exposure to weather. A couple of young producers have taken advantage of a low interest loan program and built permanent hay storage structures. The hay storage will provide shelter for their baled hay until winter feeding time. One thing that producers often struggle with is, when should they stack the rolled hay in the barn. Baled hay has a tendency to heat soon after ba
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Forages
Wheat is often used as a source of forage for beef cattle in the area. With the late freeze events of 2020 producers were concerned about the wheat crop being damaged and increasing the risk for Nitrate concentration in the forage. Several producers contacted the local ANR Agent about assessing the Nitrate levels in the wheat crop prior to cutting it for forage. The ANR agent made several farm visits to wheat fields using the nitrate test strips provided by UK forage specialist to de
