Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock Forage Interface
Improved Production & Marketing of Morgan County Beef & Forage Enterprises
Sarah Fannin
Beef
Forages
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
SITUATION:
Beef cattle and forage production remain the staples of Morgan County’s agricultural economy. According to UK Forage Extension specialists, KY farmers are only utilizing about one third of the forages they are producing. Much of the forage consumed by our livestock is too low quality to meet expected performance requirements. There is a disconnect between management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance. Extension leaders recognize need for the Morgan County Extension Educational Farm to be developed to demonstrate best management practices.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES:
1. Livestock and forage farms will see increased income by improving existing operations or adding new enterprises.
2. Farming in Morgan County will retain its status as a significant contributor to the local economy.
3. Improved forage stands, soil health and reduced soil erosion.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES:
1. Farmers will streamline business operating costs and/or gain confidence to implement new practices or new enterprises including an ag water quality BMP, follow soil sample results, implemented grazing plan and use of proper forage establishment methods.
2. Producers will utilize proven agronomic principles, grazing practices, forage species selection, livestock genetics, nutrition & health management and marketing plans.
INITIAL OUTCOMES:
Producers will have knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their operations and make decisions concerning practices needed to improve the profitability and diversity of their hay enterprise or livestock operations. Producers will understand the importance of increasing production per animal to achieve farm profitability. They will also gain knowledge as to the importance of achieving a lower input, higher output forage system and consider non traditional forages and methods
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Producers will have knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their operations
Indicator: # of farmers reporting planned changes as result of educational activities
Method: agent survey
Timeline: June, 2017
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will utilize proven principles.
Indicator: Improved quality and quantity of hay, increased numbers of farmers utilizing fertility management practices.
Method: Previous hay test results compared to current ones, # of soil samples
Method: comparative studies
Timeline: Nov, 2017 & Nov, 2020
Long-term Outcome: Livestock and forage farms will see increased income by improving existing operations or adding new enterprises.
Indicator: # of farms reporting increased profit as a result of practice change
Method: pre & post survey
Timeline: Nov, 2017 & Nov, 2020
Increased numbers of participants at Extension Farm events.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: livestock & hay producers
Project or Activity: Mountain Master Forager
Content or Curriculum: Master Hay Maker & Master Grazer
Inputs: Extension farm, specialists
Date: Summer and Fall, 2019
Audience: beef and hay producers
Project or Activity: Mountain Cattlemen’s Association/East Ky Hay Contest
Content or Curriculum: various topics
Inputs: specialist, KCA
Date: quarterly meetings
Audience: beef & livestock producers
Project or Activity: Field Day/On farm demonstration/ Cow Calf Management Extension Farm Series
Content or Curriculum: Pasture to Plate, BQA, KBN,
Inputs: BQA materials, Beef IRM team
Date: Summer and Fall, 2019
Audience: hay producers
Project or Activity: use of Extension farm, county equipment use, hay Contest
Content or Curriculum: no til planter, hay wrapper demos
Inputs: Extension equipment, CAIP program, agent hay sampling
Date: ongoing, Fall, 2019
Audience: livestock producers
Project or Activity: Recovering from Wet Winter Conditions
Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM team series
Inputs: Extension farm cow herd and pasture renovation
Date: 4th Tuesday topic, ongoing demonstration
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Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Forages
Beef cattle and forage production enterprises are the backbone of Morgan County’s agricultural economy. Baseline assessments several years ago indicated that farmers were utilizing only one third of their forage production opportunities and that their overall forages were too low in quality to meet expected animal performance requirements. Morgan County Ag Board leaders and ANR agent utilized the Morgan County Extension Educational Farm to conduct programs for forage producers includi
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Beef
Beef and forage production remains the backbone of the agricultural economy in Morgan County. One of the biggest factors in a successful cow/calf operation is having a healthy, productive bull. In conjunction with a local veterinary practice, Bull Soundness Exams and program were offered by the ANR Extension program at a greatly reduced price. Ten producers who had never used BSE’s in the past, took advantage of the program. Of the 10 bulls tested, 2 failed.
