Animal SciencePlan of Work

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Menifee County CES

Title:
Animal Science
MAP:
Improving Agriculture in Menifee County
Agents Involved:
McCarty
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
4-H Volunteer Programming
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
Situation:

There are over 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high prices it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our local Agriculture and Natural Resource agents to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.

Long-Term Outcomes:


•Clientele will begin reporting more sustainable, profitable operations because of the educational opportunities made available by the Menifee County Cooperative Extension Service.

•Clientele will begin utilizing more resources made available by the university in order to maximize sustainability and profitability on the farm.

•Continually increase the number of youth participating in livestock programs, in addition to other Extension programs.

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Clientele will adopt short, mid and long-term sustainability strategies to enhance profitability on his/her operation.

•Improve sustainability and profitability skills through continued educational opportunities.

•Demonstrate one or two learned practices on his/her operation.

•Youth will understand the importance of the agricultural industry and encourage other youth to seek knowledge pertaining to agriculture.

Initial Outcomes:

•Youth and Adults will increase knowledge and understanding of agricultural production sustainability and profitability.

•Producers will become more aware of marketing options.

•Youth will show increased knowledge and skills related to agriculture, particularly livestock and forages.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Clientele will continue to utilize Extension resources/research-based information to remain sustainable and profitable on the farm to ensure a stable livestock industry for Menifee County, and youth will continually show interest in livestock.

Indicator: Producers will report operation improvements that have resulted in more sustainable, profitable systems and an increased number of youth will participate in livestock programs. There will also be an increase in ag revenue.

Method: Follow-up visits, surveys, interviews, personal observation.

Timeline: 2-4 years


Intermediate Outcome: Clientele will adopt sustainability strategies to enhance profitability and youth will understand the importance of the agricultural industry.

Indicator: Producers will adopt and demonstrate new practice implemented on the farm and youth will encourage other youth to seek livestock knowledge.

Method: Follow-up visits, personal observation, surveys, etc.


Timeline: 1-2 years


Initial Outcome: Clientele will have an increased understanding of agricultural sustainability and profitability tools/resources and youth will gain knowledge of livestock and forages.

Indicator: Producers/4-Her will be more aware of sustainability options for his/her operation, and youth will practice skills learned as a result of the educational programming.

Method: Pre and post-surveys will be used to gauge the success and interest of programming.

Timeline: 6-12 months


Learning Opportunities:

Audience:, Families, 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H livestock educational meetings.

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

•Other Livestock Producers

Monthly meetings for 6 hours of eduction


Audience: Livestock Producers, Farmers, Families, 4-H Youth - Ag Safety Day

Project or Activity: Field Day , Ag Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Other Livestock Producers

Date: Summer


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

•Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association

Date: Fall and Spring


Audience: Livestock Producers, Farmers, Families, 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Forage Programs/ Forage Studies

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

•Other Livestock Producers

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Master Programs

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

Date: October

Audience: 4-H Youth, 4-H Leaders

Project or Activity: 4-H Hams

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Certified Livestock Leader

Date: Quarterly




Success Stories

Menifee Beef Producers understand the importance of forage testing

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Forages

According to the 2012 Agricultural Census Menifee County raises 4,500 head of cattle and 5,800 acres of forages are raised each year.  The high rainfall of 2018 and 2019 winters have provided the opportunity for Menifee County farmers to deal with mud and fluctuating temperatures.  Both of these conditions increase a cows calorie need to stay at the same BCS (Body Condition Score).  The Menifee County Beef Producers have hosted 3 meetings on ways to help cattle through these strug

Full Story

Agriculture Education durign Covid 19

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), 12.8 million acres (50%) is farmland. Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. In Menifee County agricultural enterprises (based on sales) are centered around hay, cattle and calves, and soybeans and corn. According to the 2017 Ag Statistics from USDA, Menifee County agriculture contributes roughly $2.3 million dollar to our economy. The Menifee County 4-H Agricult

Full Story
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