Extension
It Starts With Us
McCracken County Forage and Livestock Management
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education
Anderson
Beef
Forages
Hay testing
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Forage and Livestock management are vital to Kentucky’s Agricultural economy. As livestock margins tighten, management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in the state.
-Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
-Improved forage stands due to proper establishment practices
-Improved soil health and reduced erosion
-Enhance profit margins for livestock producers
-Increased wildlife diversity
-Adopt at least one Ag Water Quality BMP for grazing livestock
-Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations
-Use diagnostic services to identify pasture weeds
-Develop a grazing plan
-Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
-Test forage for nutritional quality
-Awareness of current land grant research concerning grazing management
-Awareness of forage variety trial information
-Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species
-Understanding pasture renovation and forage establishment practices
-Identify opportunities for improving wildlife habitat with selected forages
-Increased awareness of the following practices: reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general heard management, economics and marketing
-Gain knowledge of the beef industry and information and tools to succeed in beef production
Initial Outcome: Awareness of current land grant research concerning grazing management
Indicator: Number if University of Kentucky publications distributed increase.
Method: survey, personal interviews
Timeline: 3-6 months
Intermediate Outcome: Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations
Indicator: Number of forage soil samples received will increase
Method: Data log, survey, personal interviews
Timeline: 1 year
Intermediate Outcome: Adopt at least one Ag Water Quality BMP for grazing livestock
Indicator: Number of livestock producers report implementing at least one BMP will increase.
Method: survey, personal interviews, follow-up phone calls
Timeline: 1 year
Long-term Outcome: Improved soil health and reduced erosion
Indicator: Number of farmers submitting a soil sample and receive a "normal" soil analysis report will increase.
Method: Analyze data from soil analysis, personal interview
Timeline: 3-4 years
Long-term Enhance profit margins for livestock producers
Indicator: Number of livestock producers report an increase in profit margins
Method: survey, personal interviews, follow-up calls
Timeline: 3-4 years
Audience: Livestock Producers/ Farmers
Project or Activity: Educational Programs and Newsletters
Content or Curriculum: Master Grazer & Master Cattlemen curriculum, University of Kentucky publications, KSU specialists
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers,
Date: ongoing
Audience: Livestock Producers/ Farmers
Project or Activity: Demonstrations/Plot Trials
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers,
Date: ongoing
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen
Content or Curriculum: 10 sessions @ 4 hours ea.; Lecture & Hands-on basic principle topics: visual selection, AI, pregnancy palpation, cattle handling, vaccination techniques, etc.; occurs as regional multi-county groups every other year
Inputs: curriculum, UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers,
Date: ongoing
Project or Activity: CAIP Program
Content: UK/KDA training sessions
Inputs: UK/KDA specialists, State and Federal Agencies, Ag Development Council
Date: as determined by GOAP: (governors' office of ag policy)
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Beef
In conjunction with the Calloway County Cattlemen's Association, McCracken, Marshall and Calloway Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources hosted a Heifer Development program for producers in the region. Heifer Development has become a profitable niche market for producers with high quality genetics wanting to capitalize on the investment of purchasing said genetics. In addition, the region has several producers interested in developing heifers for their own operation to reduce the need
