Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Adair County's Agriculture Industry
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Nick Roy
Beef
Ag Marketing
4-H Volunteer Programming
Grain Crops
In Adair County, crops and livestock generate nearly 50 million dollars into the local economy each year. Adair County ranks 10th in Kentucky in the number of beef cows and 2nd in dairy cattle. Crops generate 25% of agriculture cash receipts and crop acreage has increased by 30% since 2010.
The Adair County Agriculture Advisory council developed a list of concerns which pose the greatest risk to Adair County's Agriculture Industry. From that list, the council has assisted the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service develop the following plan of work to address those concerns.
Wise use of cover crops and animal waste nutrients will lead to improved soil fertility, soil health, and reduced soil erosion therefore reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.
The next generation of farmers in Adair County will be well prepared to take over and continue the success of one of the largest industries in Adair County.
Improved forage management practices will lead to increased profitability and sustainability of Adair County Beef producers.
Through improved marketing, farmers will become more profitable by opening up new markets for their crops.
Farmers will adapt the use of cover crops to increase soil health and decrease soil erosion.
Livestock farmers will develop nutrient management plans to ensure efficient use of animal waste.
Adair County youth and young farmers will participate in educational and leadership programs
Farmers will identify new marketing options for their products.
Livestock Farmers will increase their forage resources through improved management practices.
Farmers will learn develop strategies for best utilizing animal waste products.
Farmers will learn how to utilize cover crops in crop rotation.
Adair County young farmers and youth will develop networks to encourage growth and development.
Farmers will learn about marketing techniques, avenues, and options for their products.
Livestock producers will learn and develop best practices for forage management.
Intermediate Outcome: Increased Use of Cover Crops
Indicator: Acres in cover crops
Method: Survey
Timeline: September 2019
Long Term Outcome: Improved Soil Fertility Management
Indicator: Soil Testing
Method: UK Soil Data
Timeline: September 2019-May 2012
Initial Outcome: Youth & Young Farmers Participation
Indicator: Number of youth & young farmers networking
Method: Survey
Timeline: September 2019-May 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Improved Marketing of Farm Products
Indicator: Market Reports, new markets created, sale bills.
Method: producer survey
Timeline: September 2019-May 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Improved forage Management
Indicator: Forage yields and grazing days
Method: surveys
Timeline: September 2019-May 2020
Audience: Burley Growers
Activity: Center of KY Tobacco Meeting/GAP
Content or Curriculum: GAP, KY Tobacco Guide
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date: Winter 2019-20
Audience: Dairy Producers
Activity: Center of Kentucky Dairy Short course/Center of KY Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Well being
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date: Winter 2019/20
Activity: DHIA Testing
Audience: Dairy Producers
Content or Curriculum: Production Record Keeping
Inputs: DHIA testers
Date: July 2019- June 2020
Activity: Adair County Cattlemen’s Meetings
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: Enterprise improvement through genetics, health, and pre-conditioning.
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2019- June 2020Activity: Adair County Junior Cattlemen Association
Audience: Youth Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: 4H Livestock curriculum
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2019- June 2020
Activity: Adair County Feeder Cattle Program
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: Feeder Calf Protocol
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2019- June 2020
Activity: Adair County Young Farmer ProgramAudience: Young Farmers
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2019-20
Activity: Commercial Vegetable Production Seminars
Audience: Hort Growers
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2020
Activity: Forage Testing
Audience: Forage Producers
Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: Dairy One Forage Lab
Date: July 2019- June 2020
Audience: Beef
Activity: Pasture Walk
Content or Curriculum: Selected by participants
Inputs: Agent & Specialists
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: Horticulture Producers
Activity: Farmer’s Market
Content or Curriculum: Marketing
Inputs: Agents & Volunteers
Date: Summer 2019
Audience: Horticulture Producers/Home hort
Activity: Garden Shortcourse/Garden Club Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener publications
Inputs: Agents & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2019-20
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Fertilizer Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: July 2019- June 2020
Activity: Adair County Grain Field Day/Center of KY Grain Crops Meeting
Audience: Grain Producers
Content or Curriculum: Fertility, Plant Population, Weed Control
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date: Summer 2019/Winter 2020
Activity: Animal Waste Nutrient Testing
Content or Curriculum: AGR-1
Inputs; UK Regulatory Services
Date: July 2019- June 2020
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Phase I Cost Share Programs
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Input: Cattleman’s Association, Agents, & Staff
Date: July 2019- June 2020Audience: Youth Farmers
Activity: CAIP for Youth
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications/GOAP
Input: Cattleman’s Association, Agents, & Staff
Date: July 2019- June 2020
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Pesticide Certification
Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program
Input: Agents, UK Publications
Date: Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Animal Science/Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum
Date: September 2019-May 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum and Trained Volunteers and
Specialist
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Parents, Specialist, Community Leaders, Office Staff
Date: September 2019-May 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Gardening Program
Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum and Gardening related publications
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: January-August 2020
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
Management Nutrients in Adair County In Kentucky, Nutrient Management Plans are required by law for many farmers. It is also an essential step in protecting our water resources that sustain life for humans and wildlife. Furthermore, proper nutrient management plans can lead to the reduction of fertilizer use, saving farmers an abundant amount of expenses.In 2019, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service began an initiative to increase the number of farmers who have Nutrient Mana
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Beef
In Adair County, the cooperation of the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service and other local agencies and groups makes lasting impacts on the community. No better example can be found than the 25 year relationship between the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service and Adair County Cattlemen’s Association.Since 1995, both organizations have worked hand in hand to improve the Adair County beef industry. Through education, marketing of cattle, administering cost-share programs
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Beef
Adair County is the home of 18,800 beef cows (KY NASS) which contribute over $13 million to the local economy. (USDA Ag Census 2017). With a cow to bull ratio of 25:1 and a useful life of a bull averaging 4 years, Adair County beef farmers purchase nearly 200 bulls each year. 75% of the genetics of retained heifers can be traced to the bulls farmers have used in the past five years. Therefore the importance of bull selection goes far beyond just a few calf crops.In 2019,
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Small Ruminants
In Adair County, small ruminants provide a viable income for several small farms. Due to their small stature, sheep and goats require less expenses in production and are more suitable on many farms as opposed to cattle. In 2017, 91 farms were reported by the USDA Ag Census as having sheep or goats in productions. A total of 1,513 head produced $120,000 in ag cash receipts. In 2020, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Kentucky Sheep and Goa
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Chemical Crop Management Tools
Agriculture changes on a constant basis, in part thanks to technology. Drone technology has been around for several years now, but in 2019 it was introduced to Adair County agriculture. Working with a local custom applicator, drone technologies were evaluated by the Cooperative Extension Service in corn research plots in Adair and surrounding counties.One advantage to drones however is their ability to spray in locations that are inaccessible to helicopters. Furthermore, helicopters
