LivestockPlan of Work

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Monroe County CES

Title:
Livestock
MAP:
Promoting Agricultural Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Kevin Lyons
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Dairy
Situation:

Situation: With livestock numbers being the lowest since 1952 and beef and milk prices falling; producers must become better managers to continue to survive. Becoming a low cost feed producer, improving animal health, and better marketing plans will be necessary to be sustainable in the future.



Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes:

By utilizing better marketing plans, producing more pounds of beef/milk, and reducing input cost; farmers will become more profitable.

Retaining heifers will help producers increase their herd size.

Developing a renewable forage system will help decrease feed cost.

Adoption of improved forages

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes:

Livestock owners will develop a better understanding of marketing options

Producers will begin a more intensive grazing system

Producers will utilize a veterinarian approved animal health plan

Producers will utilize Extension testing services to improve their forages; soil testing and hay testing.

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome:

Producers will have a better idea of possible marketing options

Owners will have a better understanding of grazing systems

Enhance producers understanding of herd health and nutrition.

Awareness of UK publication and research in animal production

Evaluation:

Evaluation:

Outcome: Livestock operations will become more sustainable

Indicator: Reduced cost feed systems and better marketing ideas

Method: Producer reports

Timeline: 2018-2019


Evaluation:

Outcome: Livestock will be healthier due better owner understanding and veterinarian approved plans

Indicator: Have educational sessions at each Cattlemen’s meetings

Method: Number of producers reporting fewer livestock health problems

Timeline: 2017-2020


Evaluation:

Outcome: Producers will develop better grazing plans to help reduce feed cost

Indicator: Attend training opportunities

Method: Grazing Schools, Field Days, and Cattlemen’s meetings

Timeline: 2017-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities:


Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: Cattlemen’s meetings

Content or Curriculum: Specialists, various topics

Inputs: Agents and Specialists

Date:2017-2020




Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Livestock management topics

Inputs: Specialists and successful producers, agents

Date: Annually





Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: Grazing schools and KY Grazing Conference

Content or Curriculum: Livestock grazing topics

Inputs: Specialists

Date: Fall 2016 - 2020




Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: KY Cattlemen’s Annual Conference

Content or Curriculum: Marketing livestock topics

Inputs: Specialists

Date: 2017 - 2020




Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: BQA trainings

Content or Curriculum: BQA presentation and training manuals

Inputs: Kevin Lyons

Date: 2017 - 2020





Success Stories

Legacy Dairy Educational Video

Author: Kevin Lyons

Major Program: Dairy

The Mammoth Cave area is the heart of the dairy industry in Kentucky. Over 50% of the state’s total dairies and over 75% of the state’s total dairy cattle are located in south-central Kentucky.  Many people do not fully understand where there food comes from, and it is important to continually promote the importance of agriculture in their lives.UK Cooperative Extension Service Agents from this area joined forces to produce an educational video that not only focuses on dairy pro

Full Story
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