Extension
It Starts With Us
Crops
Ag Awareness, Production and Marketing
Bell
Grain Crops
Forages
In recent years, grain production has significantly increased in Metcalfe County. Many producers have made substantial investments in land, equipment and other long term inputs. The recent downturn in price has presented them with many challenges. Metcalfe County also remains heavily dependent on tobacco. Many challenges exist with both commodities and producers must maximize yields, manage costs and make wise marketing decisions in order to stay in business.
Grain and Tobacco producers will be able to sustain their operations because of increased profitability. This profitability is a result of increased yields, decreased input costs and successful marketing.
Grain and Tobacco Producers will implement practices that will allow them to increase yields, manage input costs and market their product in a manner that will allow them to remain profitable.
Grain and Tobacco Producers will increase their knowledge about production, cost management and marketing that will allow them to implement changes that will lead to long term profitability.
Outcome: Initial
Indicator: Knowledge Gained
Method: Survey
Timeline: Winter/Spring 2017
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: County grain meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK research
Inputs: Agents, Specialists
Date: Winter 2017
Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP/Production meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK/GAP Connections Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, GAP Connections
Date: Spring 2017
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Tobacco
Barren and Metcalfe counties are two of the top tobacco producing counties in Kentucky. Although, total production is down compared to previous years, tobacco still maintains it's spot as one of the top agricultural commodities in the region. Since 2014 all major tobacco companies have required producers to be trained in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in order to market tobacco. This is due to an increasing concern for consumer health as well as the health and safety of those that work in
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Forages
The second annual Metcalfe County Hay and Straw Auction was held on Saturday January 27th 2018 at the Metcalfe County Fairgrounds. This year Barren, Metcalfe, and Monroe Counties partnered to make the sale a tri-county event. This was an opportunity to keep money in the local economy by making excess hay available to those needing feed for the remainder of the winter. The Metcalfe County Fairboard was also able to raise operating money from the sale commission.Twenty seven lots of hay and
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Forages
Barren, Metcalfe and Monroe County are nestled in the rolling hills of the Eastern Mammoth Cave Area in South Central Kentucky. In these counties, beef cattle are a major agriculture commodity. These three counties account for over 77,500 brood cows (USDA-NASS, 2015) and over $48 million dollars of cash sales. In the fall of 2017 Agriculture Extension Agents in these counties identified a need to redirect producer’s attention back to the basics of forage production. The Forage 101 ser
