Beef/Livestock Production Plan of Work

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Elliott County CES

Title:
Beef/Livestock Production
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Center
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Soils
Situation:

According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture there are 6,196 cattle and calves on 389 farms in Elliott County. With the decline in beef cattle prices over the past several years in the United States many cow/calf producers in Elliott County are looking for alternatives to maintain and sustain their current beef cattle operations.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Elliott County cattle producers will decrease invasive weed population in their pasture and hay fields by ten percent leading to a 30 day longer grazing period. Elliott County cattle producers will also increase their weaning weights by five percent and begin utilizing EPD's for genetic selection. Elliott County cattle producers will also begin incorporating Artificial Insemination into their breeding operation and begin developing their own replacement heifers. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the CPH 45 sales will increase by five percent.

-Elliott County cattle producers will begin utilizing soil test to balance nutrients in their pasture and hay fields. 

-Elliott County cattle producers will begin evaluating their pasture land to increase their grazing days. 

-Elliott County cattle producers will begin submitting forages for testing during the East KY Hay contest. 


Initial Outcomes:

-Elliott County Cattle producers will become Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) certified.

-Elliott County cattle producers will develop and adopt recommended vaccination programs and incorporate them into their operations. 

- Elliott County cattle producers will increase their overall knowledge of management, genetics, soil quality, forage quality and marketing. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: BQCA, Vaccination Programs, increase overall knowledge of beef cattle 

Indicator: Number of BQCA certifications, increase in CPH 45, increase in IRM program and word of mouth by local vets

Method:List of BQCA certifications from KCA, CPH sale paperwork that ag agents are required to sign and working with local vets

Timeline: January thru December 

Intermediate Outcome: Increase participation in CPH 45 sales, utilize soil test and forage testing

Indicator: CPH 45 sales, soil data reports and forage analysis reports all increase 

Method: CPH 45 sale documentation, soil data analysis reports and forage analysis reports 

Timeline: March, April, September, October, November 


Long-term Outcome: Increase grazing period, weaning weights, utilize EPD's and AI 

Indicator: Participation in Bull Value programs, AI schools, and beef IRM program 

Method: Host AI workshops, work with ABS genetics, promote IRM program and offer a MS forager program 

Timeline: April, May, June, August, September, October and November 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foorthills Cattlemen's Association 

Project or Activity: Annual Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations 

Inputs:UK Specialist and farmers

Date: September or October 


Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foorthills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Educational Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Cattlemen's Association 

Inputs: Guest Speakers

Date: November, December, February and April


Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foorthills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity:Managing Cow-calf pairs in Eastern KY

Content or Curriculum: Hands on demonstrations and lectures

Inputs: Ag agents, Vets, UK Specialist, farmers/producers

Date: April thru September 


Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foorthills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity:Mountain Master Forager

Content or Curriculum:Demonstrations and Lectures

Inputs: Ag agents, UK Specialist, farmers/producers 

Date: March, April, August, September and November 



Success Stories

2019 East Kentucky Hay Contest

Author: Keith Center

Major Program: Forages

2019 East Kentucky Hay Contest

2019 East KY Hay ContestHay and pasture production is a leading component of agriculture production in Elliott County. According to the 2017 United States Department of Agriculture Statistics Service data indicated 20,500 tons of hay are harvested on approximately 7,900 acres of farm land in the county. Therefore, the Elliott County Agriculture Council and the CEA for ANR felt that forage testing was essential for the farmers in Elliott County and signed up to participate in the East Kentucky Ha

Full Story

Developing Replacement Heifers

Author: Keith Center

Major Program: Beef

Developing Replacement Heifers

As a result of the tobacco buyout in 2004, many farmers in East KY transitioned to beef production, namely cow-calf operations, to continue earning income on their farms. County Extension Agents in Morgan, Magoffin, Elliott, and Wolfe counties realized in early 2017 that producers are still lacking the education and management skills they need to build better beef herds through quality heifer development.Proper heifer development is one of the key components to profitability in a beef cattle ope

Full Story
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