Beef Production and ManagementPlan of Work

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Bracken County CES

Title:
Beef Production and Management
MAP:
Agriculture
Agents Involved:
ANR
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
Situation:

Forage is the major agricultural resource in Bracken County with over 90,000 of pasture and over 20,000 acres of hay production. Utilization and management of these resources are very limited and there is tremendous opportunity to increase stocking rates and productivity per acre.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increased days of grazing

Decrease feed costs

Improved profitability

Reduced environmental impact

Replacement of KY 31 Fescue with Novel Endophyte Fescue

Sustainability of ranch/herd

Long term viability

Producers save money by making informed selection decisions

Intermediate Outcomes:

Better utilize forage

Use temporary fencing

Implement a managed grazing system

Utilize alternative forages

Test soils

Initial Outcomes:

Increased knowledge and awareness of:

-physiology of forage growth

-grazing math

-shade and water

-parasite control

-animal health disorders from forage

-rotational grazing systems

-temporary fencing

-forage types for grazing systems

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: An understanding of grass growth and how to best manage it.

Indicator: Plans for rotational grazing and seeding of improved varieties

Method: Producer reports, request for assistance

Timeline: Completed


Intermediate Outcome: Alternative summer forages added and utilized

Indicator: Planting of summer annuals and perennials to use in July and August

Method: Request the number acres planted and type of forage

Timeline: Completed


Long-term Outcome: Reduced number of hay feeding days

Indicator: Program participants report on the number of days hay is feed compared to previous years.

Method: Mailed survey of participants

Timeline: Spring of 2019

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef producers and Cow / Calf operators

Project or Activity: Classroom sessions

Content or Curriculum: Master Grazer

Inputs: County Offices, UK Specialist

Date: Fall of 2019


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Grazing Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Master Grazer

Inputs: Host Farms, UK Specialist

Date: Summer of 2019


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Grazing Schools

Content or Curriculum: Master Grazer Program

Inputs: UK Farm, UK Specialist,

Date: Fall of 2019



Success Stories

Forage Danger Awareness

Author: David Appelman

Major Program: Forages

Due to the recent drought, available forage for grazing livestock is being sought by everyone at this time, but there are major concerns with certain types of grass.  The Buffalo Trace Ag Agents hosted their annual Farm School for Women and the topic for the second meeting was pasture management.  This included a farm tour that looked at various pasture management issues including the use of annuals such as sorghum / sudan grass to fill the summer grazing needs.  Because

Full Story

Pasture Weed Control

Author: David Appelman

Major Program: Forages

The Bracken County Extension Service hosted a workshop on Pasture Weed Control to help producers understand both why pasture weeds are more prevalent, and how to mitigate weeds through various methods.  In recent years, pasture weed pressure has increased, and most of the reason is due to winter feeding damage.  Excessive wet winters have resulted in the destruction of sod around feeding areas.Without grass competition, weeds take advantage of open spaces and crowd out any remaining gr

Full Story

Forage Transition Plan

Author: David Appelman

Major Program: Forages

After many years of using corn silage to feed stocker cattle on a local farm operation, they wanted to transition their fields to a permanent grass and simplify their operation to a fall calving cow herd.  The problem was each year, the corn silage harvest was too late to plant forage grasses.The Bracken County Extension Service help put together a plan to generate summer forage and allow for a fall seeding that would fill the need for future hay and pasture needs. The use of a warm se

Full Story
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