Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef Production and Management
Agriculture
ANR
Beef
Forages
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.
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
Better utilize forage
Use temporary fencing
Implement a managed grazing system
Utilize alternative forages
Test soils
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
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
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
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
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
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
