Extension
It Starts With Us
Improved Management and Profitability
Agriculture and Environment
Amburgey, Clemons
Beef
Forages
Grains
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Bath County's 4 major commodities are Beef Cattle, Forages, Tobacco and Grain. Other minor commodities include vegetables, fruit, chickens, eggs, horses and goats. According the the latest census of agriculture, Bath County has 728 farms in the county which encompasses 127,159 acres making the average size farm 175 acres. In 2017 the total cash receipts for Bath County's agricultural products was $18,317,000 compared to $19,261,000 in 2012,. Total crop sales made a value of $8,994,000 with Tobacco accounting for 14%, Soybeans 26%, Corn 16% and all other crops including hay 44%. Total livestock sales made a value of $12,668,000 with Cattle & Calves accounting for nearly 90% of total livestock sales with the remainder coming from Poultry and Eggs, Sheep&Goats and All Other including breed/stud fees.
Comparing statistics from 2012 to 2017. The total Cattle & Calve numbers have increased 5.5% to 30,373 head. Corn acreage has decreased by 986 acres. Soybean acreage has increased by 391 acres producing an additional value of $130,203.00. Tobacco acreage has decreased by 640 acres from 2012 to 2017 to only 205 acres.
Hesitation of farmer to try different crops because of past experiences, profitability, lack of available market and resources have been a detriment to the expansion of ag in the county. Age of farmers and the lack youth interested in production agriculture have also had a negative effect.
Labor Issues (Dependability and Scarcity) continue to plague agriculture in this community.
- Improved marketing assistance
- Improved management and efficiency in crop production
- Improved production and management of livestock
- Improved pasture and forage utilization
- Development of value-added opportunities based on facilities located in the county (Example Commercial Kitchen).
- Improved profitability of farming enterprises
- Increase pounds of calves weaned/cow exposed
- Improve herd health through better management
- Improved pasture stands and quality
- Adoption of new crop opportunities
- Adoption of new technologies to improve farming efficiency
- Assess new marketing opportunities and incorporate into farming operations
- Work cooperatively to establish new markets for commodities
- Continue to improve management in the production of livestock in order to increase value and profitability
- Follow soil testing recommendations to maximize crop yield
- Use EPDs in selecting bulls
- Work with extension office to develop a balanced ration
- Improve livestock handling facilities
- Farmers will acquire new knowledge and skills from Extension sponsored programs.
- Management of farms will improve in the areas of production efficiencies, energy conservation, marketing, and adding value to their commodities.
- Farmers will soil test
- Attend trainings related to their farming operation
- Learn how to take soil tests
- Understand the benefit of rotational grazing
Outcome: Farmer’s take advantage of marketing opportunities
Indicator: more participation in local markets and auctions
Method: increase in total participation and total sales
Timeline: June through October
Outcome: Improved efficiency in beef production
Indicator: participation in learning opportunities and adoption of better management practices
Method: surveys and total participation, overall improvement in cattle income for the county
Timeline: April through December
Outcome: Better utilization of available resources
Indicator: increase in soil testing, crop yield data, total acreage
Method: ag census, crop reports, marketing data, surveys
Timeline: July through October
Audience: Farm Families
Project or Activity: County Agricultural Field Day, online learning opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Forage, Grain and Livestock Production
Inputs: Producer, Volunteers, Farm Organizations, Commodity Groups and UK Specialists
Date: August, September
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Production Meetings, BQCA, Demonstrations, Beef Association, online learning opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Health, Nutrition, Handling Facilities, Legislation, Environmental, Financial
Inputs: UK Specialists and Ag Business
Date: August, October, January, April, June
Audience: Tobacco, Grain and Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Agricultural Commodity Night, field days, online learning opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Production Updates, UK videos and publications
Inputs: UK and USDA, MSU, Private Industry
Date: January, February
Audience: vegetable and value added producers
Project or Activity: Regional growers meeting, PBPT, production information direct mailed, Farmer’s market and produce auction, marketing updates, hemp updates, online learning opportunities, online certifications
Content or Curriculum: production updates, variety improvements, soil testing information, market availability, value added opportunities, SrFMNP, WIC, PBPT training opportunities
Inputs: UK specialists, agent visits, trainings, regional events
Date: May – December
Audience: Youth and Teens
Project or Activity: Bath County Youth Cattle Program
Content and Curriculum: Beef Resource Handbook, online programs
Inputs: Bath County Cattleman's Association, U. K. Publications, U. K. Trainings
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The Bath County Extension Office and the Bath County Conservation District held the first county-wide field day event since 2019, due to Covid restrictions. The focus of this field day was two fold. Demonstrate how improved management and strategic on-farm enhancements can not only improve efficiency in animal production, but can also free up labor requirements at a time when labor is in short supply and to highlight programs offered by the Natural Resources and Conservation Service throug
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
When the Bath County ag center was first envisioned, a big part of the vision was to develop programs which would help farmers remain profitable as the state began its transition from tobacco to other commodities. One of the first structures that the county erected was a covered building for the sale of produce. Produce was seen as an economically viable alternative for tobacco in Bath County. The location of the county along I-64 with such a close presence to Lexington in the
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Equine
The ANR Equine Agents Working Group, Extension Specialists and Associates, planned the annual Pastures Please! Workshop. This was the 16th year for the workshop and typically takes place at one of the extension offices in central KY. As a result of efforts from the working group, this year the workshop was held in two locations - Fayette County and Livingston County. In the future the group would like to add a location in eastern KY. This workshop typically focuses on horse pasture management an
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The District 1 ANR/Hort agents met in the Fall of 2021 to determine a program that would benefit the farmers in Eastern Kentucky. After much discussion the group identified Farm Succession Planning as need for the clientele in the region. Several agents mentioned receiving an increase in questions concerning Estate Planning from farmers as well as from heirs. The group determined the program should be eight sessions long split between Winter and Fall of 2022, and the name would
