Extension
It Starts With Us
Improved Efficiencies in Livestock, Tobacco, Forages and Grain Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Amburgey
Beef
Forages
Grain Crops
The Bath County Agricultural Development Council and other Agricultural Commodity Groups have identified that the dramatic increases in energy and input prices have placed a heavy burden on producers and agribusinesses. These higher inputs continue to lower the farm family’s annual net income.
A productive, profitable, competitive, and sustainable agriculture production and market system will be viable in Bath County
Producers will begin to employ efficiency practices in all aspects of their farming operations. Farmers will assess new income generating practices for their farms and proceed with those that reflect the potential for profitability.
Farmers will acquire new knowledge and skills from Extension sponsored programs. Management of farms will improve in the areas of production efficiencies, energy conservation, marketing, and adding value to their commodities.
Initial Outcome:Farmers acquire new knowledge
Indicator:participation in production meetings
Method:direct contact, evaluations
Timeline:winter months
Intermediate Outcome:Producers begin to adopt new practices or technologies
Indicator:improved practices on the farm
Method:farm visits and face to face interaction
Timeline:year round
Long-term Outcome:farmers become more economically stabil
Indicator:increase in farm investment, stabilization of farm numbers
Method:ag statistics and surveys
Timeline:year round
Audience: Farm Families
Project or Activity: County Agricultural Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Forage, Grain and Livestock Production
Inputs: Producer, Volunteers, Farm Organizations, Commodity Groups and UK Specialists
Date: August, September
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Health, Nutrition, Handling Facilities, Legislation, Environmental, Financial
Inputs: UK Specialists and Ag Business
Date: August, October, January, April, June
Audience: Tobacco, Grain and Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Agricultural Commodity Night
Content or Curriculum: Production Update
Inputs: UK and USDA, MSU, Private Industry
Date: January
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Forages
The winter and spring of 2019 did a tremendous amount of damage to our hay and pasture fields, particularly where cattle were fed and equipment was required to move across rain soaked fields. It is usually hard to get farmers to agree on a lot of things, however, there was 100% agreement among cattle producers in Bath County that these high traffic, and heavy feeding areas were in need of a lot of work.To try to address this issue, on March 19th the extension office hosted a video training
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Farm Management
Due to the Covid 19 epidemic, extension programming required new methods to address the needs of our communities. Extension worked closely with administration, county leadership, and UK specialists to provide the necessary training and resources needed. Produce best management practices, CAIP education, BQCA, pesticide applicator, soil testing, diagnostics and farm visits were maintained by the use of electronic resources as well as creative personal interaction. Many programs
