Growing Better Livestock in Breathitt CountyPlan of Work

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Breathitt County CES

Title:
Growing Better Livestock in Breathitt County
MAP:
Livestock and Forages
Agents Involved:
Reed Graham
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Ag Water Quality Program
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 U.S.  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:

Improved Farm Economic Status; Long term viability; Producers save money, reduce expenses and increase profits; Improved her quality; Reduce environmental impact.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers implement practices to control the breeding season; Test forage for nutritional quality; Producers utilize a complete mineral supplement program; Producers implement a crossbreeding program; Producers use temporary fencing; Test soils; Implement a managed grazing system; change vaccination protocols; choose feeds based on ingredients; implementing an ag water quality plan; Interseed pastures with clover and legumes into fescue; Improve cattle handling practices; Change marketing methods; Improve heifer development.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers become certified as a KY Master Cattleman; Increase awareness in reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, herd management, economics and marketing; Interpret forage analyses, feed and mineral bag tabs and balance rations; Increase rotational grazing; better cattle handling techniques.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Master Cattleman of Breathitt County group will increase in size; Involvement in Livestock Programs will increase; Producers will complete WQP

Indicator:  Membership/Participation at program events; Number of completed WQPs.

Method:  Offer programming and membership opportunities to producers; Offer programming focused on these needs; Assist producers with testing/Farm visits

Timeline:  2016-2020


Intermediate Outcome:  Producers will implement best practices learned at Master Cattleman and Livestock programs

Indicator:  Best practices will be implemented by producers

Method:  Producers will indicate an increase in best practices used/Evaluations at programs (lasting over a period of time); Producers will implement positive water quality practices

Timeline:  2019-2020


Long-term Outcome:  Producers will see an increase in livestock production and management by using best practices learned through Extension programming

Indicator:  Increase in beef herd/quality; Increase in quality of hay production; implementation and use of best water quality practices

Method:  Producers indicate differences in herd size and health; Farm visits/sales confirm and increase in herd and hay production; Viewing of water quality practices

Timeline:  2019-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Current Master Cattleman of Breathitt County

Project or Activity:  Applied Master Cattleman Program

Content or Curriculum:  Lecture & Hands On; various topics

Inputs:  UK Specialists, County Agent, Program Assistant

Date:  Winter, 2019


Audience:  Livestock Producers of Breathitt County

Project or Activity:  Forage & Hay Testing & Hay Contest

Content or Curriculum:  UK Publications; Live Presentations

Inputs:  Farm Visits; Hay Contest Presentation

Date:  Fall 2016-2020


Audience:  Livestock Producers

Project or Activity:  Water Quality Plan

Content or Curriculum:  State Water Quality Plan Website

Inputs:  Assist producers in completing required WQP

Date: 2016-2020



Success Stories

Master Cattlemen Program Creates Positive Change for East KY Farmers

Author: Reed Graham

Major Program: Beef

Beef cattle operations are the economic backbone of agriculture in Eastern Kentucky.   In light of recent market changes, excessive wet weather conditions, and narrowing income margins, Breathitt, Elliott, Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe ANR agents hosted the Master Cattlemen Program. The goal of the program is to increase the overall profitability of beef producers through intensive classroom training. Fifty farmers - including twenty-two females and five new farmers - completed 10 three hour w

Full Story
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