Production and Economic Challenges Facing Livestock ProducersPlan of Work

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Montgomery County CES

Title:
Production and Economic Challenges Facing Livestock Producers
MAP:
Livestock Production Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Hamilton & Comer
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:

Livestock and Forage  management are vital to Montgomery County's Agricultural economy. As livestock margins tighten, management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in the county.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Enhance profit margins for livestock producers

Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

Improve sustainability of forage-based livestock systems

Significant percentage of producers implementing managed grazing practices

Greater adoption of improved/alternative forages for livestock

Improved forage stands due to proper establishment practices

Improved soil health and reduced erosion

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopt at least one Ag Water Quality BMP for grazing livestock

Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations

Use diagnostic services to identify pasture weeds

Increased implementation of temporary fencing for managed grazing

Develop a grazing plan

Learn to properly calibrate and use a no-till seeder

Increased openness to try alternative/improved forages for grazing/forage production

Implementation of on-farm demonstrations

Promote special marketing oportunities

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of current land grant research concerning grazing management

Awareness of forage variety trial information

Understanding how to fill forage gaps with alternative forage species

Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species

Awareness of forage harvest, storage and feeding management to reduce losses

Understanding pasture renovation and forage establishment practices

Introductory level understanding of pasture ecology


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Awareness of current land grant research concerning grazing management

Awareness of forage variety trial information

Understanding how to fill forage gaps with alternative forage species

Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species

Awareness of forage harvest, storage and feeding management to reduce losses

Understanding pasture renovation and forage establishment practices

Introductory level understanding of pasture ecology

Identify opportunities for improving wildlife habitat with selected forages

Indicator: Increased activity in livestock and forage

Method: Surveys, Farm Visits, Consultations

Timeline: 2021-2024


Intermediate Outcome: Adopt at least one Ag Water Quality BMP for grazing livestock

Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations

Use diagnostic services to identify pasture weeds

Increased implementation of temporary fencing for managed grazing

Develop a grazing plan

Learn to properly calibrate and use a no-till seeder

Increased openness to try alternative/improved forages for grazing/forage production

Implementation of on-farm demonstrations

Indicator: Farm Income, Changes in Farm Practices, Adoption of modern research

Method: Surveys, Farm Visits, Consultations

Timeline: 2021-2024


Long-term Outcome: Enhance profit margins for livestock producers

Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

Improve sustainability of forage-based livestock systems

Significant percentage of producers implementing managed grazing practices

Greater adoption of improved/alternative forages for livestock

Improved forage stands due to proper establishment practices

Improved soil health and reduced erosion

Indicator: Farm Income, Changes in Farm Practices, Adoption of modern research

Method: Surveys, Farm Visits, Consultations

Timeline: 2021-2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Agribusinesses, Managers

Project or Activity: Forage/Livestock Curriculum

Content or Curriculum: Multiple timely sessions on forage and livestock production

Inputs: UK specialists, co-workers, ag agencies, successful producers

Date: 2021-2024


Audience:  4-H and FFA livestock members

Project or Activity:  4-H Animal Science Project

Content or Curriculum:  Approved 4-H Animal Science curriculum

Inputs:  Certified Livestock Volunteer to teach, coordinate, and approve required educational hours and quality learning experiences for 4-H members

Date:  2021-2024


Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

Date:



Success Stories

Still Reaching and Keeping Clientele Informed

Author: Gary Hamilton

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The Covid -19 Virus has affected our everyday life, our businesses, our economy and our livelihoods. To help our clientele meet the challenges caused by this pandemic, extra efforts have been made to present  important information while maintaining the required health guidelines . Examples of these efforts include: The July/August and the September/October Editions of the Montgomery County Extension Agriculture News & Events Newsletter were mailed out to 1035 clients per newsletter. The

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Buttercup Spray Program

Author: Gary Hamilton

Major Program: Forages

Pasture forages provide the majority of the nutrients for Montgomery County beef cattle & other livestock. Due to weather conditions, winter feeding areas & in some cases over grazing, weeds such as Buttercup have become a major problem in many pastures. These weeds compete with & reduce the availability of our desired grazing forages. The Montgomery County Extension District Board purchased a special sprayer for the ANR Agent to make available to Montgomery County farmers to help co

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Earning the Learning Hours in Livestock

Author: Charles Comer

Major Program: Agriculture

In 4-H, certified livestock volunteer leaders are the primary educators of youth enrolled in the 4-H livestock program. The annual state 4-H volunteer certification program empowers these volunteers, known as Certified Volunteers in Livestock (CVL), to provide educational experiences to 4-H livestock club members to teach them the life skills that are needed to succeed in their projects by focusing on topics of selection, nutrition/feeding, health/daily care, reproduction, and marketing.  T

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Master Haymaker

Author: Gary Hamilton

Major Program: Forages

In Montgomery County, livestock represent the largest sector of agriculture. Hay is a crucial part of livestock systems in Montgomery County, and while we want to minimize the number of hay feeding days due to cost, producing and feeding high quality hay for those days is crucial. The District 1 ANR Agents hosted a seven series virtual Master Haymaker program in winter of 2021.   This program came to fruition due to COVID-19 restrictions and the need to continue programming that would

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