Bath County CES

Title:

Improved Management and Profitability

MAP:

Agriculture and Environment

Agents Involved:

Amburgey, Clemons

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Situation:

Bath County's 4 major commodities are Beef Cattle, Forages, Tobacco and Grain. Other minor commodities include vegetables, fruit, chickens, eggs, horses and goats. According the the latest census of agriculture, Bath County has 728 farms in the county which encompasses 127,159 acres making the average size farm 175 acres. In 2017 the total cash receipts for Bath County's agricultural products was $18,317,000 compared to $19,261,000 in 2012,. Total crop sales made a value of $8,994,000 with Tobacco accounting for 14%, Soybeans 26%, Corn 16% and all other crops including hay 44%. Total livestock sales made a value of $12,668,000 with Cattle & Calves accounting for nearly 90% of total livestock sales with the remainder coming from Poultry and Eggs, Sheep&Goats and All Other including breed/stud fees.

Comparing statistics from 2012 to 2017. The total Cattle & Calve numbers have increased 5.5% to 30,373 head. Corn acreage has decreased by 986 acres. Soybean acreage has increased by 391 acres producing an additional value of $130,203.00. Tobacco acreage has decreased by 640 acres from 2012 to 2017 to only 205 acres.

Hesitation of farmer to try different crops because of past experiences, profitability, lack of available market and resources have been a detriment to the expansion of ag in the county.  Age of farmers and the lack youth interested in production agriculture have also had a negative effect.

Labor Issues (Dependability and Scarcity) continue to plague agriculture in this community.

Long-Term Outcomes:

•  Improved marketing assistance
• Improved management and efficiency in crop production
• Improved production and management of livestock
• Improved pasture and forage utilization
• Development of value-added opportunities based on facilities located in the county   (Example Commercial Kitchen).
• Improved profitability of farming enterprises
• Increase pounds of calves weaned/cow exposed
• Improve herd health through better management
• Improved pasture stands and quality

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Adoption of new crop opportunities
• Adoption of new technologies to improve farming efficiency
• Assess new marketing opportunities and incorporate into farming operations
• Work cooperatively to establish new markets for commodities
• Continue to improve management in the production of livestock in order to increase value and profitability
• Follow soil testing recommendations to maximize crop yield
• Use EPDs in selecting bulls
• Work with extension office to develop a balanced ration
• Improve livestock handling facilities

Initial Outcomes:

• 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.
• Farmers will soil test
• Attend trainings related to their farming operation
• Learn how to take soil tests
• Understand the benefit of rotational grazing

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Farmer’s take advantage of marketing opportunities

Indicator:  more participation in local markets and auctions

Method:      increase in total participation and total sales

Timeline:   June through October

Outcome:  Improved efficiency in beef production

Indicator:  participation in learning opportunities and adoption of       better management practices

Method: surveys and total participation, overall improvement in cattle income for the county

Timeline: April through December

Outcome:  Better utilization of available resources

Indicator:  increase in soil testing, crop yield data, total acerage

Method:   ag census, crop reports, marketing data, surveys

Timeline:  July through October

Learning Opportunities:

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, BQCA, Demonstrations, Beef Association

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, field days

Content or Curriculum: Production Updates, UK videos and publications

Inputs: UK and USDA, MSU, Private Industry

Date: January, February

Audience: vegetable and value added producers

Project or Activity:  Regional growers meeting, PBPT, production information direct mailed, Farmer’s market and produce auction, marketing updates, hemp updates

Content or Curriculum: production updates, variety improvements, soil testing information, market availability, value added opportunities

 Inputs: UK specialists, agent visits, trainings, regional events

 Date: May – December

Audience: Youth and Teens

Project or Activity: Bath County Youth Cattle Program

Content and Curriculum: Beef Resource Handbook

Inputs: Bath County Cattleman's Association, U. K. Publications, U. K. Trainings