Extension
It Starts With Us
Forages and Crop Management
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Harned
Forages
Integrated Plant Pest Management
Sustainable Agriculture
Ag Water Quality Program
Forages are by far the largest crop grown in the county, both as pasture and stored feed, i.e. hay, baleage, silage, etc. Grain production is not a significant enterprise within the county, being grown commercially by fewer than 5 producers and for on farm use, other that as silage, by 15-20 in small acreages, so educational information for those crops are delivered more on an individual basis as needed or requested. However there does seem to be a renewed interest in grains and legumes as cover crops and for inter-seeding into pastures for winter grazing.
By putting new and/or improved production practices and products, of whatever type, into use in their yearly operations, the producers will see and increase in the quantity and quality of their crops in a very sustainable manner. When this occurs, the income for the producer should also increase creating the opportunity for a better lifestyle for them and their families.
There will be a continued increase in adopting new research based production improvements, practices and technologies. There will also be an increase in the number of producers adopting new varieties, and maybe even species, that are not currently being used in the county or region. These changes will be based on their improved understanding of why these are good changes to adapt into their production system.
Forage producers will continue to attend classes and programs related to their product to gain information and skills needed to increase production, both with quality and quantity. As more GMO seeds and other scientific and/or technological advances for forages come onto the market, so does the need to continually educate the producers about the production values as well as the social values, both positives and negatives. Re-enforcement will also continue to be presented as to the positive effects for traditional production improvements such as soil testing, forage quality testing, correct seeding, etc. This will include educating local farm supply stores on the benefits of offering these new or improved seeds, equipment, etc.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Hay Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Eastern Kentucky Hay Testing Program and Contest
Content or Curriculum: Understanding Hay Test Results publication
Inputs: Agent taking samples, state specialists, KDA testing for free
Date: Late summer/early fall annually
Audience: Farmers in Boyd County
Project or Activity: Free soil testing
Content or Curriculum: Understanding soil test results pub and personal contact
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office, Conservation Office and County Farm Bureau (split costs)
Date: Annually
Audience: Land owners, farmers and producers
Project or Activity: Demonstration plots on various cover crop options
Content or Curriculum: Production examples of various species selected
Inputs: Seed, cooperator, Extension agent, specialists
Date: 2019-20
Audience: Anyone in tri-state area, but specifically farmers and producers
Project or Activity: Northeast Kentucky Farm Machinery and Supply Show
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Facilities, Extension agent, County Extension Ag Advisory Council, local farm machinery dealers, local farm supply stores
Date: Annually
Audience: Forage and Forage Animal Producers
Project or Activity: Mountain Master Forager
Content or Curriculum: Self Developed by District 1 Ag Agents
Inputs: In conjunction with other counties,; agents, local farms and farmers, state specialists, facilities, etc.
Date: 2019
Audience: Forage and Forage Animal Producers, General Public
Project or Activity: Forage Demonstration Plots
Content or Curriculum: Developed in conjunction with UK Forage Specialist
Inputs: State specialists, facilities, etc.
Date: 2019
Author: Lyndall Harned
Major Program: Forages
The East Kentucky Hay Contest has been held for 25 years. The purpose when started was to make hay producers in Eastern KY aware of the quality of hay they were making, and if it was not very good quality, they would want to improve it. We had 75 samples tested the first year.As agents, our hopes were that our participating farmers would take the results and work with us to improve the forage quality. And share what they were learning about the importance of having their forages tested with thei
