Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock, Poultry & Crops
Promoting Commodities & Crop Production
C. Guffey
Beef
Forages
Grain Crops
Ag Marketing
Livestock and Poultry production make up the majority of farm income for Clinton County producers at $25.99 million, with poultry being the top commodity according to the Kentucky County Agriculture & Food Profiles (2012). Crop sales totaled $3.78 million. With producers facing declining prices for grain crops and feeder calves, a need was identified by the Ag program council to assist producers in finding ways to reduce input costs, become more efficient, and improve net farm income.
• Improved input efficiency
• Improved production and profitability of forage-based livestock systems.
• Reducing input costs and increasing profits for grain producers.
• Reduced environmental impact
• Utilize the futures and options market to limit downside market risk.
• Improved cash flow from utilizing budgets to make decisions.
• Be proactive in preventing herbicide resistance in grain crops.
• Improved litter utilization by grain and forage producers.
• Use the feeder cattle futures and options market to make price predictions and predict market direction.
• Develop a grazing plan
• Producers utilize budgeting tools to make purchasing and marketing decisions.
• Develop proper record keeping techniques for the farming operation.
• Awareness of forage trial information and recommended variety tables.
• Develop marketing strategies that assist producers with price risk.
• Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species.
• Awareness of budgeting tools for Livestock, poultry and grain crop production.
Initial Outcome: Improving knowledge of grazing practices
Indicator: Producers increasing production through grazing techniques.
Method: Surveys and site visits.
Timeline: Fall
Initial Outcome: Participation in county programming increases.
Indicator: Attendance numbers.
Method: Rosters.
Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter
Long term Outcome: Improved production and profitability of forage based livestock systems
Indicator: producers reporting improvements in production and profitability
Method: surveys
Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter
Initial Outcome: Awareness of budgeting tools available
Indicator: producers utilizing budgeting tools and templates.
Method: Surveys and site visits.
Timeline: Fall & Winter
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Cattle Handling & Care Training
Content or Curriculum: Cattle Handling & Care Training Materials
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Winter 2017/18
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Twin Lakes Cattle Assoc. Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beef Cattle production topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Clinton-Cumberland County Cattleman’s Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beef cattle production topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Fall, Winter 2017/18
Audience: Poultry Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Managing Poultry Litter for Profit
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: TBD
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Fall/Winter 2017/18
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: CAIP Trainings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: As Needed
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: BQA Training
Content or Curriculum: BQA Training Materials
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: On-going
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Fertilizer Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: Ongoing
Activity: Forage Testing
Audience: Forage Producers
Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: UK forage and Nutrition Specialists
Date: Ongoing
Activity: Beef feeder calf marketing series
Audience: Cow/calf producers
Content or Curriculum: UK Research and Publications
Inputs: UK Beef and Economic Specialists
Date: Fall/Winter 2017/18
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Beef
Kentucky has the largest beef herd east of the Mississippi River (Beef Logic Model). Cattle and calves make up 30% of total animal sales in Clinton County, only second to poultry and eggs (CEDIK Profile, 2014). The four county area group had offered master cattlemen, master stocker, a master grazing school, etc. It was brought to the groups attention that something specific to marketing was needed. Starting in September a cattle marketing series was offered (four sessions). Four counties partici
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Beef
In early 2017 a group of local cattle producers became interested in developing a special bred heifer sale. The group saw a need for a local sale due to the lack of heifer sales in the area and producers having bred heifers to offer, through on-farm sales. The Agriculture Agents in Clinton and Cumberland Counties, as well as a representative of the Kentucky Beef Network and the local stockyards began meeting with the sale committee made up of local producers. Monthly meetings were
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Forages
The Clinton, Cumberland, Wayne and Russell County Extension Agents partnered to host the Master Haymaker Series in 2017/18. Since 2014, Master Stocker, Master Cattlemen, Master Grazer, and Applied Master Cattlemen, have all been conducted in the four county area. Together over 40 individuals participated in those courses. With that being said, the four county area agents decided they would try a newer program that was put together by the tri-county area agents (Adair, Green and Taylor), Master H
