Union County CES

Title:

Grain Production & Marketing

MAP:

Increase Ag Production, Profitability & Management

Agents Involved:

ANR Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grain Crops

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Farm Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Ag Marketing

Situation:

Cash grain sales makes up 90% of farm income in Union County. Each year Union County farmers produce over 15 million bushels of grain. Land cost and other input cost are rising rapidly, increasing risk, while straining farmers opportunities for profitability. Cash Grain prices have gone down 35-40% in the last year while input cost have not decreased further reducing opportunities for profit.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Union County Grain producers will refine grain production skills to become the most efficient, low cost, high yielding, profitable farmers capable of competing in the global market place. Yield remain the best indicators of productivity, while marketing is the most challenging aspect of management. Long term goals increase corn yields 8 to 10 bu/ac, soybeans 4 to 6 bu/ac, wheat 8 to 10 bu/ac per year. All producers will develop and implement written marketing plans.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Grain producer’s intensify knowledge gathering and refine production practices by cooperating with Extension leader recommended programs on the county, district, and state levels. Farmers will soil test every 2 years, adopt precision Ag technology, follow UK recommendations on fertility, variety selection, weed, insect, and disease control. Producers understand the need and potential profitability of writing and using marketing plans.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers will use the latest UK unbiased research based information to guide production and marketing. Extension will be producer’s primary source of information.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increase yields per acre
Indicator: County grain yields
Method: NASS reports > Bushels marketed at local elevators
Timeline: 4 years

Outcome: Use of written market plans
Indicator: Bushels marketed in top third of price range
Method: Bushel sold to elevators in top third of price range
Timeline: 4 years

Outcome: Low cost grain production
Indicator: Impact cost per acre
Method: Input material sold by local farm stores
Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Grain Farmers, Landowners, Bank Ag Reps, Agro Business, Other Ag Professionals

Education: Audience:Grain Farmers, Landowners, Bank Ag Reps, Agro Business

Activity-Dates-Content

Grain Marketing Meetings Summer

County Yield Survey - Aug - Predicting Co. Yields

Grain Day - Dec/Jan - Timely Info on Grain Production and Marketing, Recognize yield contest participants, locally and state wide

Early Bird Agronomy - Meeting- Winter -Input purchasing

Yield Contest - June-July-Aug-Sept-Oct - Measuring yields, Jan KY commodity conference

Newsletters - Quarterly - Production suggestions

Newspaper - Weekly - Timely recommendations

Radio - 2 times week - Real time info

Phone Calls & Office Visit - Daily -Immediate clientele needs

Grain Marketing Meetings - Fall & Winter - UK Grain Marketing Specialists; Elevator personnel, Ag agent

Grain Marketing School – Dec/Jan – UK Grain Marketing Specialist, Ag agent

Grain crop field day and irrigation meeting; UK specialist and outside speakers

Ag Agent, UK Specialists, UK, area, county meetings and field days, news media, UK publications-research results

KY Commodity Conference and U.S. Commodity Classic

Success Stories