Crop and Livestock Management and MarketingPlan of Work

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Nelson County CES

Title:
Crop and Livestock Management and Marketing
MAP:
Agriculture Advancement and Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Smith, Fries, Hagler
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Grain Crops
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management
Situation:
Nelson County is a much diversified agriculture county. The 2012 Census of agriculture indicates Nelson County ranks 7th in all hay, 28th in tobacco, 17th in wheat, 24th in soybeans, 26th in corn, 7th in swine, 16th in dairy, 15th in beef and 9th in all cattle and calves. The county ranks 26th in overall cash receipts for agriculture products. The total value of Agriculture products sold was just under $64.5 million. Of that total $34.3 million came from crops while $30.1 million came from livestock. These are historical numbers in that this is the first time in at least 30 years that we received more for crops than livestock.

Surveys of 4 farm groups and ag representatives of the County Extension Council indicate that a lack of local markets both for crops and livestock put Nelson County farmers at a competitive disadvantage. That along with an aging farm owner population makes agriculture production quite uncertain. The nationwide economic downturn has actually been good for agriculture in Nelson County. Land prices dropped initially back to agriculture sustainable prices instead of development prices. As the economy rebounds development will again put pressure on land prices. These pressures along with across the board lower commodity prices will take it's toll on sustainability in our county.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Farmers to attain a level of net income sustainability that provides a comfortable standard of living for their families, through a more efficient level of production management and marketing.
Intermediate Outcomes:

Farm cooperatives will adopt improved production management and marketing techniques in the areas of crops and livestock so that production is increased economically, or that costs are reduced without sacrificing production.

4-H Youth will use knowledge obtained from judging and skillathon events to purchase, raise, groom, and exhibit their animals.

4-H Volunteers will apply the knowledge they acquire through the 4-H Livestock Volunteer Certification Process and continuing education to educate and mentor youth 4-Hers involved in Livestock projects.

High school youth will tour various agriculture production operations and participate in interactive learning stations that focus on production, marketing and sustainability, including but not limited to the country ham project.

Initial Outcomes:
Farmers will gain knowledge in recommended practices for production and marketing and will aspire to implement the in their farming operation to improve profitability.
4-H & High School Youth will:
- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
- Increase their understanding of the development of living things.
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased profitability, practices implemented and knowledge gained in crop and livestock operations.

Indicator: The number of individuals who increase knowledge and awareness in the topic presented and aspire to implement the practice changes in their operation. The number of practices implemented, and amount of increased profitability will also be measured.

Method: Post session evaluations, Personal contact and observation, Follow-up surveys.

Timeline: Post session evaluating, six months for the follow-up and continuous for observation and personal contact.


Initial Outcome: 4-H & High School Youth will:

- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.

- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.

- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.

- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.

Indicator: The number of youth completing a livestock project or participating in 4-H livestock events.

Method:. Observation during Livestock events

Timeline: During Fair and Show Season


Intermediate Outcome:Youth will understand and be able to demonstrate the complete Market to Market process of purchasing, curing and marketing a country ham.

Indicator:Presentation of a county and/or state fair speech or demonstration.

Method: Certified livestock volunteer lead workshops and classes.

Timeline:7 months after initial curing process.


4-H common Measure for evaluation will be phased in during the 2019/20 program years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Tobacco Producers

Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP Training

Content or Curriculum: Supplied by Tobacco GAP Connections

Inputs: Meeting Announcement Letters and Agent Time

Date: February 2019


Audience: Nelson County Producers

Project or Activity: County agriculture Investment Fund educational activities

Content or Curriculum: BQA, Cattle Handling Certification and various other educational meetings as needed.

Inputs: Agent Time, Meeting announcement letters

Date: October, December, January


Audience: Youth Livestock participants

Project or Activity: Livestock and small animal Shows

Content or Curriculum: KDA State Guidelines

Inputs: Agent Time and Fairgrounds

Date: as scheduled


Audience: Master Cattleman Graduates

Project or Activity: Applied Master Cattleman Class

Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM Applied MC Curriculum

Inputs: Agent time, transportation, meeting room, etc.

Dates: 2019-20


Audience:  Beef Cattle Association 

Project or Activity:  Educational Component of regular meetings

Content of Curriculum:  Specialist delivered based on Needs of the time

Inputs:  Hosting, organizing, facilitating, etc. 

Date: ongoing


Audience: 4-H Volunteers

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Certification program

Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Livestock Curriculum and Client Protection Policies

Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding

Date: As needed


Audience: 4-H Ham Club Participants

Project or Activity: 4-H Market to Market Ham Club

Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum and Enrichment

Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding

Date: Fall to Summer




Success Stories

Resistant Weed Management and Proper Application

Author: Robert Smith

Major Program: Grain Crops

During this cropping year, a great deal of time was dedicated to educating clients on proper weed management strategies and pesticide safety.  It was in 2018 that two very nasty weeds began to emerge for the first time in our county that are resistant to the traditional cropping herbicide tools.  Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp have been wreaking havoc in the midwest for a few years and have just now begun to be a problem for our farmers.  Many hours were spent both individually and

Full Story

Quality forage equals quality cattle

Author: Robert Smith

Major Program: Forages

During the winter of 2020 Marion, Nelson, and Washington counties offered a joint program called Master Haymakers.  This series is designed to increase the quality and efficiency of the haymaking process.  Specialists from the University of Kentucky presented information on Hayleage, Haymaking Equipment, Summer and Winter Forages, hay storage, quality, and handling.  Around 40 participants were engaged in the learning of new techniques, varieties, and management.  At least tw

Full Story

Beef Education

Author: Robert Smith

Major Program: Beef

Beef production continues to grow in our county and our educational outreach grows alongside.  The 2017 Ag Census indicated that our numbers of beef cattle remain around 45,000, which is equal to our human population.  In 2019-20 we continued some programs intended to help improve forages on the farm.  I felt that knowing the forage quality on the farm is important enough that I began an on-farm sample effort.  This involves me going to the farm, pulling the samples for the f

Full Story
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