Extension
It Starts With Us
Food Animal Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Harned
Beef
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Swine
Local Food Systems
Commercial cattle remain by far the top economic livestock species in the county. Goat numbers are leveling off, or even declining, at least for commercial sales purposes, although purebred breeding stock and show quality animals remain in high demand. Sheep are not an economic factor and are present in very low numbers. We are seeing a slight increase in pigs/hogs, both breeding and market types. One area that we are seeing a significant interest in is managing land for wildlife, mostly for hunting purposes but also just for viewing enjoyment. We will also offer educational opportunities to the public who, due to the COVID induced meat shortages, seem to be much more interested in buying local raised, custom processed meat.
For owners of livestock, they will improve the way their livestock are handled and cared for as we become more responsive to the demands of the consumers concerned about animal welfare as well as the meat products that come from these animals. Additionally, they will implement practices that are more protective of the environment in raising and maintaining their stock. The challenge will be integrating the above practices while still retaining the ability to make a profit on the ruminants and swine. . At least from a cattle perspective, this can at least partially be addressed through having cattle owners become certified through the Kentucky BQCA program. The local food animal producers will have a steady local market for their animals as more local people buy them for custom processing.
Cattle owners will continue to apply the information that they receive to improve the productiveness of their animals, through increased nutritional information as well as health care, handling and facilities.Goat owners will continue to improve their genetics through buck collections and AI as well as implementing better health care and nutritional methods. All will continue to integrate into their operations the practices necessary to protect the environment, including water resources and the quality of life of their charges while in their care. Local food animals producers will continue to see an increase in demand for their livestock as local consumers adjust to buying their meat locally and have it custom processed.
Cattle owners will continue to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to keep their operations profitable. This will include re-enforcing current practices as well as those that develop moving forward. They will stay informed about changing laws and regulations that will affect them and their operations, as will small ruminant owners. Local livestock producers and the general public will have a new livestock processing facility to take advantage of, with the goal of having it become USDA certified within 6 months to a year of opening.
Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge and/or skills gained in addressing production efficiency as well as changing social expectations of their chosen operations.
Indicator: More attendance at programs addressing the above issues
Method: Program pre and post evaluation instruments, if appropriate, and group and individual follow-up
Timeline: 2022-2022
Intermediate Outcome: Agriculture animal owners will implement changes in the operations that address social, environmental and production issues.
Indicator: Increased practices put into action on the farms and farmsteads addressing environmental, social and production issues
Method: On-site visits, increase in number of contacts addressing the issues, personal contacts
Timeline: 2022-2024
Long-term Outcome: Negative environmental impact from animal agriculture will be greatly lessened, the social perspective will improve and the livestock producers will still be profitable, more efficient and still in operation.
Indicator: Improved water quality from testing results, increased livestock production/profits, a more favorable look from the public of animal agriculture.
Method: Site-visits, personal contacts, word of mouth from the public
Timeline: 2022 - 2024 and beyond
Audience: Property owners with livestock
Project or Activity: Proper fencing program/demonstration(s)
Content or Curriculum: How to make sufficient fences to contain animals as well as to protect/preserve water ways from the animals while still being able to use the water resource
Inputs: Cooperators, fencing supplies, industry experts, UK specialists, Extension agents
Date: 2022 or 2023
Audience: Beef Producers (Highlands Beef Cattle Association or HBCA)
Project or Activity: Monthly meetings with educational programs
Content or Curriculum: Fencing; processing; forage production; health care issues; genetics. marketing
Inputs: Agents, state specialist, industry experts, KDA, KBN
Date: Monthly 2022-24
Audience: Beef cattle producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattleman’s Program, Beginning and/or Advanced
Content or Curriculum: State Master cattleman curriculum
Inputs: Agents, facilities, state specialists
Date: 2022
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Ag Water Quality Plan workshop
Content or Curriculum: Ag Water Quality Plan computer program and printed materials
Inputs: Agent, Conservation Office, facilities, computers, copies
Date:2022-2024
Audience: Wildlife enthusiasts and general landowners
Project or Activity: Developing wildlife food plots
Content or Curriculum: How to develop food plots for increased nutritional health of wildlife, including game animals for harvesting, as well as just backyard type viewing pleasure
Inputs: Extension agents, facilities, plot work, wildlife cameras
Date:2022
Audience: County and area farmers
Project or Activity: Basic Nutrient Management Plan education program
Content or Curriculum: NRCS, UK, USDA materials as needed
Inputs: Agent, specialists, NRCS personnel
Date: 2022-2024
Audience: Livestock owners
Project or Activity: Expansion of Livestock composting program
Content or Curriculum: UK specialist provided materials
Inputs: Composting site, composting materials, tractor, personnel to input animals
Date: 2022-24
Audience: Goat Producers
Project or Activity: AI and Collection Program
Content or Curriculum: Genetics
Inputs: Agent, facilities, AI and reproduction specialist
Date: 2022-24
Audience: Goat Producers
Project or Activity: Multi state Goat Seminar
Content or Curriculum: UK and Purdue Health, nutrition, breeding, and parasite control
Inputs: Agent, facilities, State specialist form UK, KSU, and Purdue
Date: 2022-24
Audience: Goat Producers
Project or Activity: Tri-State Goat Association meetings
Content or Curriculum: Nutrition; parasite control; purebred vs. registered vs. crossbred; putting on sanctioned shows; foot care; forages suitable for goats; etc.
Inputs: Agents, state specialist, industry experts,
Date: 2022-24
Audience: Forage Animal Producers
Project or Activity: Tri-State Grazing Program
Content or Curriculum: Developed for the conference using information from UK, WVU and OSU Extension, plus NRCS and Conservation
Inputs: In conjunction with other counties,; agents, local farms and farmers, state specialists, NRCS and Conservation personnel, facilities, etc.
Date: 2022-2024, annually
Audience: Forage and Forage Animal Producers, General Public
Project or Activity: Forage Demonstration and weed control plots
Content or Curriculum: Developed in conjunction with UK Forage Specialist
Inputs: State specialists, facilities, etc.
Date: 2022 or 2023
