Extension
It Starts With Us
Local Commodities Provide Agriculture Income
Supporting Food Systems, Forage, and Livestock Production
Shane Bogle, Rhonda Jewell, Ashley White
Beef
Forages
Local Food Systems
Agriculture
Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understand regarding agriculture production and processing (Speilmaker and Leising, 2013) One of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Services initiatives is to increase awareness of the impact agriculture has on his or her daily life.
Caldwell County cattle inventories have remained fairly consistent in the last two years. Lower commodity prices and loss of premiums for quality beef have suppressed growth.
Caldwell has seen an increase in specialized production for beef and pork to meet a niche market including, farmers markets direct to restaurants and freezer beef and port operations. Beef profits are still limited because of “old school” techniques producers are slow to let go. Year round calving, poor pasture and hay management, and lack of record keeping to name a few. Covid-19 has added extra burdens on beef markets slowing profits statewide. Increase in quality forage/haylage production expenditures has added educational opportunities.
The equine industry is still thriving in Caldwell and a highly skilled workforce is needed. Educational opportunities are available to the youth of the county allowing them to explore careers in both livestock and the equine industry.
*Beef producers will increase profitability through improved nutrition, herd health and genetics.
*Beef producers will increase profitability through better management of forage systems and improved forage and feed storage facilities.
*Beef producers will keep accurate records of birth and weaning weights, sales receipts and follow better marketing protocols.
*Equine producers will better utilize Extension programs to expand and promote horses in Kentucky.
*Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
*Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through their experiences in 4-H.
*Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
*Individuals will be agriculturally literate.
*Increase membership in Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association.
*Beef producers will utilize forage and soil testing services to make better management decisions.
*Beef producers will utilize improved marketing such as the CPH-45 sales, brad hiefer sales.
*Beef producers will participate in cost share programs through the CAIP (Phase I).
*Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily lives to others.
*Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
*Public will be come aware of importance of agriculture in community.
*Beef producers will understand the benefits of CPH-45 sales as well as the UK bred heifer sales.
*Beef producers will understand the importance of Beef Quality Assurance in the sellers market.
*Beef producers will participate in the Phase I cost share programs
*Equine producers will utilize UK Programs to be better stewards.
*Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
*Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
*Individuals will gain knowledge and skills of food and fiber in areas of animal and food sciences and plant and soil science.
Initial Outcome: Producers will understand the benefits of beef and forage education programs
Indicator: number of producers reporting change in knowledge
Method: farm visits, success stories, observations
Timeline: ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will utilize forage and soil testing services to make better management decisions
Indicator: number of producers utilizing forage and soil testing services
Method: observation, farm visits, success stories
Timeline: ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Producers will increase profitability through improved nutrition, herd health, and genetics
Indicator: number of producers reporting increased profitability
Method: farm visits, observation, success stories
Timeline: ongoing
Audience: Community Members
Project or Activity: Beef Preparation Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up Kentucky Proud, MyPlate
Inputs: UK Specialists, KY Cattlemen's Association, SNAP
Date: 2021
Audience:
Project or Activity: Equine Short Course
Content or Curriculum: UK/Industry Specialists
Inputs: Horse College
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: CPH-45
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK
Date: Fall, Summer ongoing
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK
Date: Yearly as needed
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association
Content or Curriculum: UK and Industry professionals
Inputs: UK/local supporters
Date: Spring/summer/fall each year
Audience: 4-H Livestock Club
Project or Activity: Livestock Judging
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK/local supporters
Date: Spring -Summer 2021
Audience: Youth ages 9-18 with Livestock interests
Project or Activity: Livestock and Equine Workforce Prep
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Volunteers and certified leaders
Date: Spring 2022
Audience: Caldwell County Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Vet Science
Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Dr. Stan Rogers, Dr. Luna, volunteers
Date: February 2021
Audience: Equine Producers
Project: NRCS Pasture Improvement Project (3 Farms)
Content: UK Forage Specialists/NRCS Regulations
Inputs: UK, NRCS
Date: 2020-2021 On-going
Audience: Caldwell County Youth
Project: Livestock Skillathon
Content: KY 4-H Livestock curriculum
Inputs: Certified Volunteer Leaders
Date: October 2020-February 2021
Audience: Caldwell County Youth
Project: 4-H Poultry Club
Content: UK Poultry Pubs and Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders
Date: September 2020-2021
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Small Farm Management
As the impact of Coronavirus continues to affect our communities, Extension has been a driving force of consistency, efficiency, and leadership in Caldwell County. Service calls to the agriculture agent have increased by 40% since the beginning of the pandemic. Our traditional and non-traditional clientele have been at home and on the farm for extended periods of time. Agriculture agents are being called on more than ever to answer questions, solve problems, and help plan for future agriculture
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
The Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association has a storied history of leadership and community support in Caldwell and Lyon Counties. Education to members, service to the community, and support through scholarships are three key areas of focus. Extension has had the pleasure of advising the membership and providing opportunities for educational and leadership development since the beginning of the association. Since 2002 the Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association has admini
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
With the pandemic, all programming was cancelled or converted to a virtual format. In an effort to stay relevant to the community and to stay interactive with clientele during times that in-person classes couldn’t be held, Caldwell County Extension put together 50 "Garden in a Bag" grab bags. The bags contained: Gardening in Small Spaces, ID-128 Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, Gardening calendar, CHOP CHOP-Eggs, vegetable peeler, garden gloves, cucumber and squa
