Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock and Forage Production and Marketing
Sustainable Agriculture
Myron Evans, Rebecca Konopka
Beef
Forages
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
There are over 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars. With declining beef prices it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. 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 Carter County and the state.
Improved farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Long term viability
Producers save money
Improved farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Long term viability
Producers save money by making better selection decisions.
Reduce expenses
Improved herd quality
Increased profits of operation
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Test forage for nutritional quality
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Implement crossbreeding program
Make EPD and selection decisions
Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation
Increased awareness of the following practices:
-reproduction -genetics
-nutrition
-health
-end product
-general herd management
-economics and marketing
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general herd management, economics and marketing.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations related to improving production management.
Method: Production Meetings
Timeline: November- April
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Indicator: 4-H members are successful in the State Fair Avian Bowl & Poultry Judging contests.
Method: Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl practices and contests
Timeline: May-August
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain understanding of the equine industry.
Indicator: 4-H members successfully compete in State 4-H Horse events.
Method: 4-H Horse Club
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Test forage for nutritional quality
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Indicator: Reported increases by producers
Method: CAIP reports, surveys,
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: 4-H members will practice and apply knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber through animal science.
Indicator: 4-H members have a successful project to show at the county fair
Method: Livestock Club meetings & County Fair
Timeline: November – August
Long-term Outcome:Producers save money, Reduce expenses, Improved herd quality, and Increased profits of operation
Indicator: Farmer reports
Method: Farm visits, surveys
Timeline: Ongoing
Long Term Outcome: Youth will engage in an entrepreneurial enterprise.
Indicator: 4-H members expand their livestock herd beyond the show ring.
Method: Livestock Club
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Beef IRM program, Production Meetings, BQA Training, Hay Testing, Haymaker Program, Group Feeder Calf Sales
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Training Videos, Research Reports
Inputs: KBN, UK Ext. Specialists, Agent, CAIP, KDA
Date: Ongoing
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: Avian Bowl & Poultry Judging
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual & Poultry Judging Handbook
Inputs: Volunteers, Paid Staff, Specialists
Date: May-August
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club (Club meetings, Fairs, Shows)
Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, Fair Board, Paid Staff
Date: November -August
Audience: School Classrooms
Project or Activity: Embryology in the Classroom
Content or Curriculum: 4-H CCS Core Curriculum
Inputs: Teachers, Paid Staff, Local Producers
Date: September – May
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club (Meetings, Shows, Contests)
Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, Staff
Date: Ongoing
Author: Myron Evans
Major Program: Disaster Preparedness
September 18th was the first day of National Farm Safety Week. I had talked with Mr. Kenny Brammell, the East Carter FFA instructor and Mr. Will Davis, the West Carter FFA instructor and learned that they wanted to combine the two schools to do a farm safety program at East Carter High School for the two schools. I asked them about the possibility of the Extension Office teaming up with them and doing a second program in the evening for the adults at our Annual Farm and Family
Author: Myron Evans
Major Program: Beef
Beef production continues to be the largest agricultural commodity in Carter County. Beef producers got spoiled with the high beef prices they were receiving in 2013-2014. We all knew it wouldn't last but it still hurt when prices fell. When prices fall, producers begin looking at ways to cut production costs. Their mineral program is where many want to cut. One producer stated that it took 2 calves just to pay for his mineral and he was going back to white salt. When another producer was de
Author: Myron Evans
Major Program: Forages
~~Hay testing continues to increase as more and more farmers obtain knowledge about what a valuable management tool they are and how to use the results as indicated by the 104 samples taken by agent in 2017. This was the most agent has taken in one year in Carter County and was also the most of any agent in the 2017 Annual East Ky Hay Contest. the 104 was also 25% of the 400 samples taken in 14 counties. Tom Keene spoke to 60 producers at a Northeast Area Livestock Association
Author: Myron Evans
Major Program: Beef
The Northeast Area Livestock Association has been conducting a group mineral order for about 15 years. In the beginning, agent obtained labels from the top minerals to find the one that wast closest to the UK IRM mineral guidelines. A Southern States mineral seemed to be the best mineral on the shelf that could be found locally. Agent obtained bids and the local Southern States Farm Store won the first bid. Agent soon discovered a mineral plant in Fleming County. The NEALA toured the
