Grain CropsPlan of Work

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Union County CES

Title:
Grain Crops
MAP:
Agriculture Production, Profit, and Management
Agents Involved:
ANR Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Grains
Situation:

The number of Union County farms has decreased while the average farm size has increased according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture from the USDA. 93% of Union County farms are family businesses with 27% hiring labor. 58% of Union County farmers are between the age of 35 and 64. 8% of Union County farmers are below 35. Union County producers over 16.8 million bushels of grain annually with 88.7% of total land designated as farms.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maintain family farms. Reduce risk in farming. Maintain or improve marketing opportunities for farmers.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Applied marketing techniques using futures or options to reduce risk levels for crops. Use of Extension diagnostic services. Implement on-farm trials for new grain variety production. Developed or implemented nutrient management plans. Adopt farm management practices based on UK research and recommendations.

Initial Outcomes:

Understand importance and frame work of on-farm trials. Improve or maintain record keeping practices. Incorporate technology to effectively manage farm operations. Understand the value in a variety of marketing techniques.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Land available to be put into UK trials from producers.

Indicator: 1071.9, 1071.10

Method: UK researchers, observations

Timeline: 1 year


Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of advanced marketing plans and techniques.

Indicator: 1082.3, 1082.4, 1082.6

Method: Transactions used at local elevators

Timeline: 2 years


Long-term Outcome: Increase profits per bushel or per acre.

Indicator: 1081.7, 1082.6

Method: NASS

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Marketing Assistance Program

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, agribusinesses

Date: Winter


Project or Activity: Yield Survey and Contest

Content or Curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: UK specialists and publications

Date: June through October


Audience: Grain Producers, Agribusinesses

Project or Activity: Field Day and Demonstration

Content or Curriculum: UK specialists and publications, agent developed

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, agribusinesses

Date: Summer


Project or Activity: Grain Day

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed, UK specialists

Inputs: Agribusinesses, UK specialists and publications

Date: January/February




Success Stories

Yield Contest

Author: Meagan Diss

Major Program: Grains

Union County is known not only for the quality of grain produced but also the quantity. Although 2020 has been anything but ordinary, farmers still had their crops to grow. As this was my first yield contest for the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, I wanted to grow involvement through the number of yield contest checks performed. Farmers started harvest for Union County in the early part of September and within a few days, yield contest entries were received. Being able to g

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