Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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Russell County CES

Title:
Livestock Production
MAP:
Agriculture Production
Agents Involved:
ANR, 4-HYD
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Dairy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

The Russell County terrain is somewhat rolling; therefore, forages are marketed through livestock. Livestock produced 78% of agriculture income according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. This is a decline of about 12% from the 2007 Census.  Therefore, quality feed and forages are in short supply and cattle are not feed efficiently because of the structure of breeding/calving seasons and calf weaning. Animals cannot be grouped according to nutritional needs. Farms that have farming systems consisting of livestock and crops are more profitable. Improving feed, forage and reproductive efficiencies leads to more profitability for producers. Breeding programs lean more toward to getting live calves rather than maximizing hybrid vigor or getting more cows settled early in the breeding season. Without efficiency herd reductions will follow.  Also sheep and goat production is on the rise. With more people having small amounts of acreage, and the consumption of sheep and goat products on the rise, this has been a great alternative to large animal production. 

 

Long-Term Outcomes:

 Improved farm economic status, sustainability of farm, reduced Expenses enhanced profit margin  

• Reduced environmental impact  

• Producers save money by making better selection decisions, increased profits of calves  

• Properly match genetics to management and environment, improve herd quality  

• Increased days of grazing, decreased feed costs  

• Producers benefited from increased production and/or quality of milk (Economic) 

• Increased knowledge of dairy production related to: Business management, facilities, herd health, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, herd management, facilities and handling, labor management, current trends, monitoring technology 

• Maintain or improve agriculture operations with small ruminants and/or exotic animals  

•Minimize the environmental impact of agriculture operations Increase profits, reduce expenses, and/or minimize risk  

•Mentor new and beginning farmers 

•Youth engage in entrepreneural agriculture practices 

•Youth advocate for agriculture and healthy, sustainable food systems. 

 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Develop a nutrient management plan  

• Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency  

• Implement a managed grazing system, soil test, renovate pastures by interseeding clover/legumes, use alternative forage species (annuals, warm season perennial), stockpile tall fescue for grazing 

• Implement crossbreeding program Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation 

• Implement a crossbreeding program  

• Develop an ag water quality plan, implement ag water plan  

• Develop streamside buffers to prevent water runoff 

• Examined and implemented Facility changes including: Compost Bedded Pack Barn, cow comfort, Free Stall Management, Heat Stress Management, moving cattle, other facility areas 

• Used diagnostic services to improve soil, the environment, and/or animal health Used Extension information to make decisions about: • Business management • Facilities and handling of flocks/herds • • Developed a marketing plan for meat animals Adopted Extension practices to improve: animal nutrition, genetics and reproduction, quality or quantity of dairy production, parasite treatment program 

•Youth apply skills learned in the production of food and fiber. 

 

Initial Outcomes:

 Increase knowledge of: general herd management health disorders and classifying disease risk, the effects of livestock and environmental interaction, genetics, reproduction, budgeting, record keeping, marketing strategies forage production, growth curves of grasses, factors that impact nutrient quality, managed grazing concepts, body condition scoring, nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production 

 Increased knowledge of dairy production related to: business management, facilities, herd health, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, herd management, facilities and handling 

 Identify financial options for small farm and beginning agriculture operations Gained knowledge of small ruminants including: animal health, nutrition, breeding / genetics, facilities and handling, environmental impact, business management, marketing  

 Observe and/or locate how to correctly test soil & hay and/or recognize weeds, pests and disease 

•Youth gain knowledge of production of food and fiber and gain understanding of healthy, sustainable food systems. 

•Youth explore career opportunities in agriculture and natural resoruces 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Better overall herd management & handling from cattlemen, sheep, goat, & dairy producers. 

Indicator: Management changes within farm  

Method: Survey participants or on farm visits 

Timeline: Beginning of course, end of course, one year follow-up  

 

Outcome: Participation in the programs increase because of marketing the programs.  

Indicator: Number of applications submitted. 

Method: Application numbers 

Timeline: Yearly 

 

Outcome:  Youth acquire knowledge in selection and care of animals. 

Indicator:  Youth care for animals on the family farm. 

Method:  observation and parent-assessment 

Timeline:  throughout yeare 

 

Outcome:  Youth engage in country ham project. 

Indicator:  successful curing process of hams 

Method:  score sheets from Kentucky State Fair 

Timeline:  completion of project in August 

Learning Opportunities:

  

Main Audience: Beef Producers 

Activity: BQCA Training  

Content or Curriculum: BQCA Training Materials  

Date: As Needed  

 

Main Audience: Dairy Producers  

Activity: On-Farm Visits 

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics  

Date: Summer   

 

Main Audience: Sheep & Goat Producers  

Activity: Production Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics 

Date: Every other month (6/year) 

 

Main Audience: Cattlemen  

Activity: Russell County Cattlemen’s Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics 

Date: 6x year 

 

 

Main Audience: Producers  

Activity: CAIP Trainings 

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics 

Date: As Needed 

 

Main Audience: Committee Members  

Activity: Ag Development & CAIP Council Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics 

Date: As Needed 

 

Main Audience: Producers  

Activity: Livestock Production Field Days 

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics 

Date: As Needed 

 

Audience:  Youth 

Activity:   4-H Horse and Livestock Programs 

Content:  OSU 4-H horse and livestock kits 

Inputs:  volunteer leaders; meeting space 

Date:  throughout year 

 

Activity:  4-H Country Ham Project 

Content:  Kentucky 4-H ham curing publications 

Inputs:  volunteer leaders, ham house 

Date:  November-August 

 



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