Improving the Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability of Agriculture OperationsPlan of Work

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Campbell County CES

Title:
Improving the Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability of Agriculture Operations
MAP:
Agriculture Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Don Sorrell
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management
Situation:

According to KY Agriculture Statistics and USDA Farm Census data, Campbell County has approximately 500 farms, averaging 84 acres. Approximately 75% of all Campbell County farming operations are livestock (mostly beef) and forages.   Annual gross receipts is just over 8 million dollars while net farm income averages less than $5,000 per farm. With these thoughts in mind, Agriculture and Community leaders representing the CEC, Agriculture Council, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, County Cattle Association and Beef Association have identified a continued need to improve the sustainability and profitability of farming operations in Campbell County. Producers need to implement best management practices that will help them manage inputs, improve production and increase net farm profitability while improving the natural resources of the farm.


Long-Term Outcomes:

Campbell County farmers will show improved farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Campbell County farmers will begin to improve farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers will learn how to improve their production, marketing and natural resource management practices that will help to enhance farm production, profitability and sustainability. Through the participation of education programs and hands-on learning opportunities, farmers will gain knowledge needed to implement these management practices.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: 

Individuals indicate that they gained knowledge and aspire to implement practices on their farm. Farmers will increase knowledge in improved management practices by participating in programs and field days. 

Indicator: Gain evidence through program evaluations, observations and testimonies with producers that indicated increased knowledge gained on recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Increase participation by farmers in educational programs addressing production and natural resources management practices.

Method: Program surveys, testimonials, observations, participation numbers 

Timeline: All year, after programs 


Intermediate Outcome: 

Indicator: Number of farmers indicating implementation of the best management and natural resources practices needed to increase farm productivity and profitability.

Method: Farm Visits, testimonials, mailed surveys

Timeline: all year, 3 to 6 months after programs 

Long-term Outcome: Farmers will become more productive, and profitable after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices needed to increase farm efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Indicator: Number of farmers indicating increased productive, efficiency and profitability after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices. 

Method: Post program surveys, farm visits, testimonials, number of implemented practices 

Timeline: all year, surveys 6 to 12 months after programs

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers 

Project or Activity: Demonstration Farms, Natural Resources Management 

Content or Curriculum: Farm Field Day, Conservation Projects  

Inputs: NRCS, UK Specialists Halich and Smith and NKY Agents

Date: Summer and Fall of 2019


Audience: Beef/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Mud Control and Winter Feeding Facilities Tour

Content or Curriculum: Filter Fabric Pad Demonstration, Fence Line Feeder Demonstrations 

Inputs: Host farms, Cattle Association Board, Agent, Farmers 

Date: October 2019


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care/Beef Cattle Vaccine Program 

Content: Health care program for selecting and using implants, fly control and de-worming products 

Inputs: Ag agent, specialist(s) 

Date: August 2019 


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Understanding and Using EPD’s for Bull Selection  

Content or Curriculum:  Beef Genetics 

Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents

Date: November 2019


Audience: Agriculture and Horticulture Producers 

Project or Activity: Soil Health 

Content or Curriculum:  Soil Health 

Inputs: Soils Specialist, Agent

Date: December 2019


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Crossbreeding Basics  

Content or Curriculum: Crossbreeding 

Inputs: agents, specialists

Date: February 2020


Audience: Livestock/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Endophyte Testing Program 

Content or Curriculum: Pasture Evaluation Team  

Inputs: UK specialists, agents

Date: July and August 2019


Audience: Campbell County Farmers

Project or Activity: Forage Testing & Ration Balancing Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Dairy One Forage Testing/UK Ration Balancing Program

Inputs: Forage samples, UK publications specialists, agent

Date: November/December 2019


Audience: Campbell County Young Farmers

Project or Activity: Beginning Farmer Cost Share Programs

Content or Curriculum: Beginning Farmer Grant Programs

Inputs: CAIP Guidelines

Date: August 2019 - June 2020 


Audience: Campbell County Farmers

Activity: Soil Testing Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Soil Testing Program

Inputs: UK soil lab, soil test recommendations, agent

Date: July 2019 - June 2020


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Bull Breeding Soundness Exam

Content or Curriculum: Bull BSE

Inputs: Producers, Veterinarians, Agent

Date: April 2020


Audience: Agriculture Council

Project or Activity: Ag Issues meetings

Content or Curriculum: program planning

Inputs: Ag leaders and Ag agent

Date: November, December 2019


Audience: Campbell County Cattle Association Board of Directors/general membership

Project or Activity: Board meetings and annual membership meeting

Content or Curriculum: Program planning and prioritization

Inputs: CCCA leaders, agriculture agent and CCCA members

Date: Monthly meetings, Second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.




Success Stories

Mud and Drought Issues in One Growing Season

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Beef

2019 was a year of ever changing weather events that have impacted the livestock industry in Northern KY in a very negative way. Winter /spring rains led to mud, poor nutrition, loss of body condition of animals and even death of livestock.  Rain continued through the month of June delaying hay harvest that resulted in late cutting hay as well as reduced yields and forage quality. The summer heat of July and August reduced second cutting yields. This was followed by excessive heat and dry w

Full Story

Forage Samples and Ration Balancing Program

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Beef

During the winter and early spring of 2019, beef cattle health and nutrition became a major concern.   This was primarily due to poor hay quality and weather related issues such as excessive rain and mud.   To address the nutritional needs of beef cattle (going into the winter of 2019-2020) the Extension Service developed two programs:  Feeding the Cow Herd During the Winter and Forage Testing and Ration Balancing. The ANR agent worked with Dr. Jimmy Henning and local beef pr

Full Story

ANR Agent’s Response to COVID-19

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

The Extension Service traditional ways of communicating with clients changed dramatically (not as much with ANR agents) with the onset of COVID -19 pandemic.  The following are ways that I have reached out to the agriculture community during the pandemic. Sent out a letter and then a newsletter to farmers letting them know that I was still very much available to serve their needs.   This information included my home and cell phone numbers and e-mail address. This information also

Full Story
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