Livestock
Ag Awareness, Production and Marketing
Bell, Branstetter
Beef
Dairy
Volunteer Development
Metcalfe County is home to 30,500 head of cattle. While milk cows do make up a small percentage of this number, 93 percent are beef cows and calves. Cattle prices have continued to decline at a rapid pace since the fall of 2015. Now, more than ever, producers must make management decisions that will allow them to continue to realize a profit. Adding as much value to calves and marketing them in a manner that will allow them to receive top dollar is a must. Input costs must be managed so that they are as low as possible, without compromising production and quality.
Livestock producers will be able to remain profitable and sustain their operations during a depressed market. They will increase efficiency, decrease cost and realize a profit.
Livestock producers will implement practices that will allow them to effectively market a quality product while managing input costs. These practices could lead to better herd health, better soil health, better feed efficiency and a marketing plan tailored to their individual need.
Livestock producers will learn ways to improve many aspects of their operation that will allow them to produce a quality product at a lower cost in order to stay successful.
Outcome: Initial
Indicator: Knowledge gained
Method: Survey
Timeline: Throughout year
Outcome: Intermediate
Indicator: Changes made
Method: Farm visits/ Observation
Timeline: Ongoing
Outcome: Long Term
Indicator: Profitability
Method: Survey
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Educational Sessions at Cattlemen’s
Content or Curriculum: UK research
Inputs: Agents, Specialists
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: BQCA Trainings
Content or Curriculum: UK, BQCA
Inputs: Agents, Videos, Publications
Date: As needed throughout the year
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Clinics
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock, Dairy, and Horse materials, Fitting and Showing
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Vet and Volunteers
Date: Spring
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Judging Teams
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock, Dairy materials, Fitting and Showing
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, and Volunteers
Date: on going
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: County Ham Project Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and Clifty FarmsInputs: Agents, Staff Support, Community Partners, Ag Development Grant Committee, Clifty Farm Staff, State Specialist and Teachers
Date: November-August
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: Agriculture
What Does 4-H Mean to Me? When I was 6 years old, I had the opportunity to compete at the Kentucky State Fair for the title of Little Miss Kentucky County Fair. As a 6-year-old, I didn’t really know what was going on other than I was there to get in a pretty dress and walk on stage. One day while my mom and I were there we had some down. My mom said she had cousins at the fair with cows and asked if I would like to go see them. Being a cu
Author: Gary Bell
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. Agents from this area joined forces to bring an educational video that not only focuses on dairy production but adding value past the farm gate. Legacy Dairy owned by the Jones family, bottles the milk from their cows right on the farm. The non-homogenized, yet pasteurized m