Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Tobacco Production Systems
Crop Production
Graham Cofield
Grains
Forages
Tobacco
In Trigg County over 80% of the revenue generated from the sale of Agricultural commodities comes from the sale of grain crops and tobacco. producers today are facing lower commodity prices, input costs that are not shrinking proportionally to the fall in commodities, and increasing concerns over regulation on the farm. These issues along with new disease and insect pests puts pressure on a producer's bottom lines for the foreseeable future making it all the more important to accurately identify issues and respond appropriately.
Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices
Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
Implementation of on-farm trials
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
Understanding BioTech traits
Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
Initial Outcome: Producers will improve knowledge of Herbicide resistant weeds, conservation practices, biotech traits, and herbicide selection.
Indicator: number of producers utilizing UK research information and publications, improved understanding of how to Identify active ingredients and efficacy, increased ability to identify problem weeds in fields early.
Method: Observations, Meeting evaluations, Follow up visits/interviews
Timeline: pre/post program
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will use UK extension recommendations to
Indicator: number of samples submitted to diagnostic lab, number of soil tests submitted, producers better understand Biotech traits and how to use them effectively.
Method: Observations, Meeting evaluations, Follow up visits/interviews,
Timeline: pre/post program
Long-term Outcome: Producers will adopt new practices to improve environmental quality and profitability.
Indicator: IPM strategies, implement recommended conservation practices, improve public opinion of GMO/conventional cropping systems
Method: Observations, Meeting evaluations, Follow up visits/interviews
Timeline: pre/post program
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Morning Ag Report
Content or Curriculum: UK recommendations, UK specialists
Inputs: UK research, publications, Specialists, agent.
Date: weekly
Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Tobacco Production Meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK specialists, Publications
Inputs: UK research, publications, Specialists
Date: winter yearly
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Farm Tour
Content or Curriculum: UK specialists, Publication, Local Producers.
Inputs: UK specialists, Volunteers, agent,
Date: July yearly
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: AG Appreciation Dinner
Content or Curriculum: UK specialists, Publications
Inputs: UK specialists, Volunteers, Agent, local Officials
Date: March Yearly
Author: Samuel Cofield
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Tobacco production remains a very important part of the Ag economy for many Trigg County producers making up 17% of the total Crop sales. For producers, new diseases, increased regulations and as always the weather in 2020 made producing a high quality, high yielding crop very difficult. Trigg and Caldwell Counties have worked together to put on an educational meeting and GAP training each year to help them find answers to the issues they are facing in the field. This year more
