Beef Production, Marketing, and Other Animal SciencesPlan of Work

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Union County CES

Title:
Beef Production, Marketing, and Other Animal Sciences
MAP:
Agriculture Production, Profit, and Management
Agents Involved:
ANR Agent, 4-H Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Situation:

Beef cattle account for 87.5% of the livestock inventory in Union County according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture by the USDA. Increased input costs have led to only those innovative managers making a viable profit. In order to increase profit, producers have to utilize new marketing strategies and techniques along with ensuring a quality feed. The same can be said for other livestock enterprises. Educating youth about innovative methods will lead to them being more successful down the road.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved farm economic status. Increased number of young livestock producers. Utilization of the futures or options market to limit downside of market risk. Sustainability of farm or herd.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Test forage for nutritional quality. Market cattle in large, uniform lots through county collaborations. Utilization of Extension recommended marketing process to make a change in management processes to better fit marketing strategies. Growth in participation in livestock clubs and shows for youth.

Initial Outcomes:

Recognition and knowledge of better forage production. Budgeting, record keeping, and marketing strategies. Effects of livestock and environmental interaction. Knowledge of best practices in general heard and livestock management. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Number of people who gained information on beef nutrition, animal health, genetics, reproduction, and/or facilities and equipment; Number of 4-H members who gained animal science knowledge.

Indicator: 1011.4, 1011.1, 1081.5, 1081.6, 4021.1

Method: Observation, survey, farm visit, consultation, livestock club participation and activities, 4-H record books.

Timeline: 6 months


Intermediate Outcome: Applied information from Extension to market cattle, use of futures marketing strategies to make decisions.

Indicator: 1011.1, 1011.2, 1072.1, 1072.3, 1072.4, 1072.6, 1072.7, 1072.10

Method: Survey

Timeline: 1 year


Long-term Outcome: Profitability and sustainability of livestock herd.

Indicator: 1011.3, 1082.4, 1082.6, 1081.7

Method: Local sales records, interviews, USDA records, producer survey

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Boots'n'Bridles club

Content or Curriculum: horse education curriculum

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, industry professionals, club leaders and volunteers

Date: August through May


Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock club

Content or Curriculum: Livestock curriculum

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, industry professionals, club leaders and volunteers

Date: August through May


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Educational meetings

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agribusinesses

Date: Winter/Summer


Project or Activity: BQA

Content or Curriculum: BQA manual

Inputs: BQA manual, UK publications and specialists

Date: Winter/Summer


Audience: Forage Producers, Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Hay/Forage testing

Content or Curriculum: UK publications and specialists

Inputs: UK Diagnostic Lab

Date: As needed


Project or Activity: Beef Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agribusinesses

Date: Summer



Success Stories

4-H Country Ham Project

Author: Annette Buckman

Major Program: Agriculture

In 2021, the Union County 4-H Country Ham project had 13 youth.  The program was brought back to Union County with the help of Meacham Hams volunteering time and service to this valuable project. Due to Covid, only 5 participants were able to participate at the State Fair.  Ryan Thomas from Union County had the overall winning ham for State.  This was a great accomplishment for Union County.  For 2022, we have 11 participants.  Each participant enters their ham in the Co

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