Improve Management and Marketing SkillsPlan of Work

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Casey County CES

Title:
Improve Management and Marketing Skills
MAP:
Sustainable Livestock System
Agents Involved:
ANR Agent, Meagan Klee
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Dairy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Sustainable Agriculture
Situation:

Over the last several years Casey County farmers have taken advantage of generous commodity prices to increase the acres of row crops, 8300 acres of corn planted and 7,900 acres of soybeans planted in 2015. This increase has put a strain on our hay and grazing acres, 36,800 acres of hay harvested and 1,400 acres of alfalfa harvested in 2015. Although few beef cattle herds have declined, with 35,500 all Cattle and Calves, several hay acres have decreased. With the decline of hay and grazing acre producers have recognized the need to improve their forage base on their hay and pasture ground. Livestock markets are ever changing and many times volatile. Input costs don’t seem to follow the changing livestock market as quickly as producers need causing producers to be less profitable. Through surveys, conversations with farmers, the County Extension Council, and the Agriculture Advisory Council they have put an emphasis on sustainable farming practices for forage and livestock production, grain production, and horticulture production.

Youth livestock programs can teach young farmers best management practices and give them the chance to continue the family farm.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Producers who are able to compete with higher costs of production will stay in business and be more sustainable. Utilize new markets and alternative marketing techniques.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers will consider changing practices in order to become more efficient. Some of these practices include: rotational grazing, ration balancing, forage utilization and testing, soil testing, time management, record keeping, and trying different marketing strategies to sell their product.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will gain knowledge and skills about improving efficiency in agriculture production by participating in Extension programs.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmer (youth & adult) adoption of new practices

Indicator: Personal contacts and surveys. Youth choosing Ag-related careers.

Method: Farm visits and observations. Monitor participation in educational meetings and special extension programs.

Timeline: Winter, summer


Intermediate Outcome: Increase farmer (youth & adult) participation

Indicator: Number of farmers attending Ag programs.

Method: Farm visits, increase mailing lists, personal contacts.

Timeline: Winter


Long-term Outcome: More producers staying in business and farms being passed onto future generations.

Indicator: Number of youth participating in agriculture related fields and returning to the farm.

Method: General observations of the age of producers

Timeline: Winter


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Casey County farmers, youth and other interested parties.

Project or Activity: Field Trial Demonstrations; Farm Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: various on-farm demonstrations throughout the community

Inputs: volunteers, specialists

Date: Spring or Fall


Audience: Casey County farmers, youth and other interested parties

Project or Activity: Livestock Meetings; Showing Livestock at County/District/State Shows

Content or Curriculum: Management techniques of livestock

Inputs: Specialist

Date: All year


Audience: Casey County farmers, youth and other interested parties

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance; Pork Quality Assurance

Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance Curriculum

Inputs: Extension office

Date: Fall

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