Extension
It Starts With Us
Growing Better Livestock in Breathitt County
Livestock and Forages
Reed Graham
Beef
Forages
Ag Water Quality Program
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.
Improved Farm Economic Status; Long term viability; Producers save money, reduce expenses and increase profits; Improved her quality; Reduce environmental impact.
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.
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.
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
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
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
