Extension
It Starts With Us
Enhancing Livestock Management
Enhancing Livestock Management
Evan Tate - ANR, Lisa Hagman-4-H
Beef
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Volunteer Development
There are over 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high prices it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. Hancock County has a topography suitable for livestock production. Producers in the county are located uniquely in the center of four different local markets and have easy access to transporting livestock to Indiana for additional marketing avenues. Furthermore, local feedstuffs are plentiful, and there is a growing demand for locally raised meat.
Producers will utilize knowledge and experience gained to start or better current livestock production units. Furthermore, local businesses will adhere to the importance of supplying the needs of producers to maintain these farms. The local community will embrace the efforts of county producers by utilizing meat grown locally in a well rounded healthy diet.
Producers will recognize the importance of utilizing management tools to increase monetary returns to the farm. Youth and adults will begin to practice evaluation techniques when selecting breeding stock in order to increase long term production.
Producers will be educated on selection, management and marketing of livestock. Youth will participate in programs designed to enhance livestock handling and general management skills to build a foundation for further improvement.
Initial Outcome: An increased level of participation in livestock events during the Hancock County Fair
Indicator: Number of participants
Method: Compare registration sheets from years' past
Timeline: Summer 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Producers seek and utilize selection tools for breeding stock
Indicator: Producers ask questions and show evidence of incorporating selection tools
Method: Survey producers about selection tools
Timeline: Spring and Fall 2021
Intermediate Outcome: Producers utilitize new marketing avenues made availabe
Indicator: Producers ask questions and show evidence of incorporating new marketing avenues into buisness plans
Method: Survey producers about selection tools
Timeline: Spring and Fall 2021
Long-term Outcome: Producers change management practices
Indicator: Adopt new mineral programs, vaccination programs, create calving seasons
Method: Conduct questionnaires at local beef meetings
Timeline: Fall 2021
Audience: 4-H Youth Livestock Club
Project or Activity: Monthly Educational meetings led by 4-H Certified Livestock Leaders
Content or Curriculum: Multiple Species of Livestock handling, showing and management, 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: County Agents, Local Businesses, 4-H Certified Livestock Volunteer Leader
Date: July 2020-June 2021
Audience: Local Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Monthly Cattleman's Meetings/Beef Improvement Seminars
Content or Curriculum: Selection/Management Courses
Inputs: County Agents, Industry Partners, UK Specialist
Date: June 2020- July 2021
Audience: Local Business Leaders
Project or Activity: Beef Tasting- Chamber Christmas
Content or Curriculum: Grilling lesser known, healthy cuts for consumers
Inputs: County Agents, Local Grocery, Hancock County Cattleman's Assoc.
Date: Winter 2020 Spring 2021
Audience: Hancock Co Fair Attendees (Community Members)
Project or Activity: Exhibition of Livestock, Education on Livestock
Content or Curriculum: Public is able to come into close contact with livestock and interact with producers
Inputs: County Agents, 4-H, FFA, Hancock Co Fair Board, Community Sponsors
Date: August 2021
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Beef
Breeding Soundness Exam Success StoryEach year cattleman incur signifanct losses in the cow/calf enterprise due to reproductive failures. The most common reason for this failure is unviable bulls servicing cows. Producers should have Breeding Soundness Exams (BSE) completed on each bull twice per year. Often times this practice is forgotten or not completed due to lack of facilities capable of handling large bulls.In an effort to increase Farm Income, The Hancock County Cooperative
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Beef
The Beef Cattle Industry in Kentucky is dynamic and multifaceted. Individual producer’s enterprises differ greatly from one to another with end goals being just as diverse. Kentucky has long been labeled a cow calf state and still maintains the largest cow population east of the Mississippi River. Management of the cattle and the forages they consume along with an influx of technology makes for an ever changing industry with endless learning opportunities.The Green River Area Extension Agr
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Beef
Genetic evaluation has largely been developed and determined by using seedstock bulls throughout the beef industry. However, producers are continually educated to utilize heterosis to increase the profitability and genetic merit of their progeny. As the increase in genomic testing and overall understanding of genetic merit has been promoted, the goal for this project is to help producers adopt a new tool to utilize when selecting traits using maternal parentage for their commercial herds. The Ex
