Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock
Promoting Agricultural Sustainability
Kevin Lyons
Beef
Dairy
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:
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:
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 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:
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:
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
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
