Webster County CES

Title:

Educational Opportunities for Livestock Producers

MAP:

Animal Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Shadrick

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Ag Water Quality Program

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Chemical Livestock Management Tools

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Forages

Situation:

There are over 400,000 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. In 2012, Total Value of Animal Sales, including products, for Webster County was $58,053,000.00. Cattle and calves makeup 14% while poultry and eggs make up 86%. Even with high prices, it is important to education beef producers on best management practices. With a large number of poultry houses in Webster County, water and nutrient management is a priority. Educational programs are needed to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Build the reputation and value of KY cattle
Improved end product quality and food safety
Enhanced profitability by selling value-added calves
Improve efficiency of manure handling
Protect and improve water quality

Intermediate Outcomes:

Have access to premium markets
Employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.
Market cattle in large uniform lots, access to premiums for better management
Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management and implement Ag Water Quality plans

Initial Outcomes:

Understand importance of clean water
Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
Recognize best management practices for soil conservation
Identify best management practices for nutrient management
Gain knowledge of BMPS for proper injection techniques for cattle, proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time and proper handling techniques
Raise awareness of CPH-45 program requirements and benefits

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Knowledge gained for BMPs for protecting water quality through manure management
Method: survey
Timeline: immediately after program

Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: number of water quality plans written or updated
Method: UK AG Water Quality evaluation tool
Timeline: given after educational program

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Improve efficiency of manure handling
Method: follow-up interviews and surveys
Timeline: 6-18 months after program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Webster County Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Agronomics and economics of Chicken Manure
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications Poultry Litter decision aide
Inputs: UK Specialist, UK Extension Agents, NRCS, Conservation District
Date: Winter 2017

Audience: Webster County Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Beef Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Based on current beef and livestock issues
Inputs: UK specialists, Agents, Webster County Cattlemen's Association, Pasture to plate, KBN
Date: Winter 2017

Audience: Webster County Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Pasture to Plate and more (4 class series)
Content or Curriculum: Pasture to plate, BQA,
Inputs: Specialist, agents, KBN, Cattlemen's Association
Date: Jan-March 2017

Success Stories