Extension
It Starts With Us
Efficient and Profitable Corn, Wheat and Soybeans Production for Ballard County Producers
Ballard County Agriculture Stability
Tom Miller
Grains
In Ballard County Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future.
Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices
Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
Implementation of on-farm trials
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
Increase understanding of production regulations
Understanding BioTech traits
Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials
Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
Initial Outcome: Farmer knowledge and understanding will increase on Grain Production
Indicator: Higher results on Farmer Survey
Method: Crop Production Team Grower Survey
Timeline: Spring 2017
Intermediate Outcome: New Technology Use will increase
Indicator: Higher sales of products with new technology
Method: Retail dealer survey
Timeline: Fall 2018
Long-term Outcome: Farm Income will Improve
Indicator: Grain Farmer Balance sheet position will be better
Method: Use Kentucky farm Analysis Data for Comparison
Timeline: Fall 2019
Audience: Ballard County Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Ag Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Up to the minute information on crop production, insect and disease concerns and the latest research from UK
Inputs:Ky Pest News, Extension Specialists, Retail Ag Suppliers
Date: Monthly through year
Audience: Ballard County Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Ballard County Ag Day
Content or Curriculum: Up to date info on various grain topics
Inputs: Extension Specialists
Date: Winter 2019
Audience:
Project or Activity:
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs:
Date:
Author: Thomas Miller
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Tiling of soil, placing drainage pipes underground to improve surface drainage of crop land has been a common practice in many parts of Kentucky for years, but has not made its way to far western Kentucky until the last few years. Myths about our soil types and the predominance of smaller fields has slowed the adoption. The 2020 growing season was a perfect example to show the benefits as well drained sloping fields had plenty of water all year long and yielded well over 200 bushels
Author: Thomas Miller
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The 2020-21 Ballard County CAIP Program is drawing to a close. With initial funding of $375,000 from the Ballard County share of the Master Settlement Phase 1 Funds allowed 75 produces to participate in a 50% cost share program, where the producer can spend up to $10,000 and get $5,000 back in cost share funds. The majority of the money has been used for Precision Ag and Grain handling equipment, but other programs like large and small animal and forage improvement have also seen muc
