Forage ManagementPlan of Work

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Lee County CES

Title:
Forage Management
MAP:
Beef production
Agents Involved:
T. Johnson
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Hay testing
Situation:

Forages and beef cattle are the majority of the livestock produced in Lee County. According to the University of Kentucky extension specialist around 66 percent of the forages are not being utilized efficiently and the quality is not sufficient to meet the demands for the livestock to perform at their optimal levels.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Enhance profit margins for livestock producers

Minimize environmental impact of air, water, and soil

Improve forage quality

Improve soil health and reduce erosion

Improve forage utilization

Intermediate Outcomes:

Implement routine soil sampling

Test forages for nutritional value

Use diagnostic services

Implement new feeding systems

Develop a routine forage renovation system

Use certified seed

Stock pile fescue for fall grazing

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of recommended forage varieties

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

Understanding forage renovation establishment practices

Utilize alternative forages

Understand knowledge of grazing management practices for most species


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

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

Understand pasture and hayfields ecology

Awareness of forage variety trial information

Indicator:Increase activity in forages and management

Method::  Farm Visits, phone calls

Timeline: Fall of 2020 and spring of 2021 

Intermediate Outcome:Increase profit margin for livestock producers

Indicator::  Farm practices have changed and farm income has increased

Method: Farm visit, survey

Timeline:Fall 2021


Long-term Outcome: Producers are utilizing best management practices

Indicator: Increase in renovation

Method: Survey and farm observations

Timeline: Fall 2022

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Forage tour

Content or Curriculum: Presentation by Specialist and Agents

Inputs:Agents, Specialist

Date:

Spring 2021

Audience: Livestock producers

Project or Activity:Eden Shale Tour

Content or Curriculum: feeding systems

Inputs: Agents and Specialist

Date: Fall 2021


Audience: Livestock and forage producers

Project or Activity: :  Livestock Feeding Program

Content or Curriculum: Agents and Specialist

Inputs: agents and Specialist

Date:Spring 2021



Success Stories

Forage Utilization

Author: Ted Johnson

Major Program: Forages

Proper forage utilization and management is one of the major factors that livestock producers can control to improve the profitability of any livestock operation. Lee County has around 2,500 acres of forages that is managed for feed for livestock. Forage quality has been identified, by leader as the number one concern that needs to be addressed to improve livestock profitability in Lee County.Lee County extension agent has worked with two livestock producers on improving their forages. These two

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