Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef/Livestock Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Center
Beef
Farm Management
Forages
Soils
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.
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.
-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.
-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.
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
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
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Forages
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
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Beef
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
