Todd County CES

Title:

Agriculture Production and Management

MAP:

Improving Agriculture Profitability

Agents Involved:

Curt Judy

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grain Crops

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Sustainable Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farm Management

Situation:

The 2012 Census of Agriculture indicates there were 603 farms (181,001 acres) in Todd County that year, decreasing from 676 farms and 183,972 acres in 2002. These declines reflect both the state and national trends, where the number of farms has been on a long, steady decline. Average farm size in 2012 was 300 acres, up 28 acres from 272 acres in 2002. Almost 56 percent of county farmers (337) list farming as their principal occupation, and approximately one percent of farms are operated by minorities (5 farms).

Farm products produced by Todd County farmers in 2012 ranked 3rd statewide in cash receipts, generating over $180 million, an increase of about $50 million compared to 2007. Crop receipts accounted for almost $90 million (ranked 4th) and livestock receipts totaled over $93 million (ranked 5th).

Major crops produced by Todd County farmers include corn, soybeans, wheat, dark fired tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, hay, barley, and canola. Major livestock enterprises include beef cattle (mostly cow-calf production), dairying, and hog and poultry production (including eggs).

Major challenges over the next few years will include low commodity prices for corn, soybeans, wheat, beef cattle, hogs, and milk. Costs of production increased drastically for all commodities for about five years through 2013, due in part to rapidly increasing land prices and rents, and sharply higher fuel, fertilizer, seed and equipment costs. Many of those costs have declined (some significantly), but not at the rate that commodity prices have fallen. The tobacco buyout in 2005 brought about a significant restructuring of the tobacco business. Production is now almost completely limited to contract production, and producers have made significant new investments, particularly in dark-fired tobacco barns. Growers are being asked to meet higher standards for their tobacco crops in terms of quality and cleanliness, etc.

In 2012, Todd County produced more acres of vegetables than any other county in Kentucky. Most are sold directly to major retailers or through the Fairview Produce Auction. Producers receive their production education through the Auction (Extension education coordinated by the horticulture agent in Christian County). Direct support services for growers are provided by both Todd and Christian County Extension Offices.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farm cooperators will improve their relative net returns or returns per unit of input resources in their agricultural enterprises.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farm cooperators will adopt improved production, management, and marketing techniques in the areas of grain, beef, dairy, forage, tobacco, or horticulture production so that production is increased economically, or that costs are managed without sacrificing production.

Initial Outcomes:

Cooperators will gain knowledge on University of Kentucky recommendations relating to crop and livestock management, varying from beef cow herd management to tobacco and grain cultural management and pest control. They will also gain knowledge in the areas of livestock and crop marketing.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Cooperators will gain knowledge of University of Kentucky recommendations relating to crop and livestock management, varying from beef cow herd management to tobacco and grain cultural management and pest control. They will also gain knowledge in the areas of economic management, marketing, USDA programs, and farm-related regulations.
Indicators: Knowledge gained, skills acquired, etc.
Method: Producer reports, and/or agent observations, and/or surveys
Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Farm cooperators will adopt improved production, management, and marketing techniques in the areas of grain, beef, dairy, forage, tobacco, or horticulture production so that production is increased economically, costs are managed without sacrificing production, or production and/or economic risks are reduced.
Indicators: Improved production, management, marketing techniques adopted
Method: Producer reports, and/or agent observations, and/or surveys
Timeline: Changes will be measured annually over the 4-year plan of work cycle


Long-term Outcome: Farm cooperators will improve their relative net returns or returns per unit of input resources in their agricultural enterprises.
Indicators: Net profitability, production costs, risk factors
Method: Producer reports, and/or agent observations, and/or surveys
Timeline: Accumulative changes will be measured over the 4-year plan of work

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers and homeowners
Project or Activity: Soil testing
Content or Curriculum: UK soil test recommendations
Inputs: Agent time
Date: Program year

Audience: Farmers and homeowners
Project or Activity: Pest diagnosis and control recommendations
Content or Curriculum: UK pest publications and control recommendations
Inputs: Agent time, UK plant disease and insect diagnostic services
Date: Program year

Audience: Tobacco farmers
Project or Activity: Winter tobacco production meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK tobacco publications and resource material
Inputs: Agent time, UK tobacco specialist time
Date: Program year

Audience: Grain farmers
Project or Activity: Grain production/marketing meeting(s)
Content or Curriculum: UK/UT grain production resource material
Inputs: Agent time, UK and/or UT specialist time
Date: Program year

Audience: Dairy farmers
Project or Activity: Dairy production and/or forage meeting(s)
Content or Curriculum: UK dairy/forage production resource material
Inputs: Agent time, UK specialist time
Date: Program year

Audience: County farmers
Project or Activity: Newsletters, news articles, etc.
Content or Curriculum: UK and other resource material
Inputs: Agent time
Date: Program year

Success Stories