Extension
It Starts With Us
Educational Opportunities for Livestock Producers
Animal Agriculture
Shadrick
Ag Water Quality Program
Beef
Chemical Livestock Management Tools
Forages
There are over 400,000 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. In 2012, Total Value of Animal Sales, including products, for Webster County was $58,053,000.00. Cattle and calves makeup 14% while poultry and eggs make up 86%. Even with high prices, it is important to education beef producers on best management practices. With a large number of poultry houses in Webster County, water and nutrient management is a priority. Educational programs are needed to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Build the reputation and value of KY cattle
Improved end product quality and food safety
Enhanced profitability by selling value-added calves
Improve efficiency of manure handling
Protect and improve water quality
Have access to premium markets
Employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.
Market cattle in large uniform lots, access to premiums for better management
Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management and implement Ag Water Quality plans
Understand importance of clean water
Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
Recognize best management practices for soil conservation
Identify best management practices for nutrient management
Gain knowledge of BMPS for proper injection techniques for cattle, proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time and proper handling techniques
Raise awareness of CPH-45 program requirements and benefits
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Knowledge gained for BMPs for protecting water quality through manure management
Method: survey
Timeline: immediately after program
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: number of water quality plans written or updated
Method: UK AG Water Quality evaluation tool
Timeline: given after educational program
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Improve efficiency of manure handling
Method: follow-up interviews and surveys
Timeline: 6-18 months after program
Audience: Webster County Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Cow/Calf Profitability Conference
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications,
Inputs: UK Specialist, UK Extension Agents,
Date: Winter 2019-2020 (if approved)
Audience: Webster County Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Beef Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Based on current beef and livestock issues
Inputs: UK specialists, Agents, Webster County Cattlemen's Association, Pasture to plate, KBN
Date: February 2020
Audience: Webster County Beef IRM Project
Project or Activity: Individualized program for Olson Farms
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Specialist, agents, Cattlemen's Association, KBN
Date: On-going Project (began in fall 2017)
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Beef
The cost of production, in all aspects of agriculture, continues to increase while prices remain stable or decrease. This scenario requires producers to analyze each decision as it relates to margin management. For cow/calf operations, the cost of replacement breeding stock often takes 9 years before a positive return on investment occurs. The need to cull typically coincides with the conclusion of this period, leaving salvage value as the only profit. Understanding genet
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Farm Management
Paying attention to details helps to improve the profitability of any business. Dr. Kenneth Burdine, Dr. Greg Halich, and Jonathan Shepherd from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Agricultural Economics Department developed a program titled Cow Calf Profitability. They worked with Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources across the state to deliver the program in five locations across the commonwealth. Program topics focused primarily on managem
