Crop production, Livestock production, & Sustainable AgriculturePlan of Work

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Barren County CES

Title:
Crop production, Livestock production, & Sustainable Agriculture
MAP:
Sustainable & Profitable Crop & Livestock Production
Agents Involved:
Schalk, Tarry
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Chemical Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

Barren County has traditionally led the region in diverse agriculture production. Producers utilizing these practices help to enhance their profitability & promote sustainability. Forages, grain crops, & tobacco continue to be in place on many Barren County farms. Dairy, beef, poultry, small ruminants, and horses are staples in many operations. Producers continue to be charged with producing commodities in an environmental sustainable manner.


 

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Diversify operations to meet the changing ag products needs

-Efficient use of crop protectants

-Increased producer profits in ag enterprises

-Increase overall efficiency in livestock, grain & forage operations

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Supply new/beginning farmers with skill set to manage farming enterprises

-Implement the use of decision making tools for crop & livestock production

-Convert used/unleased grain crop land back to improved permanent pasture/hay ground

-Maintain high standards and husbandry practices for beef and small ruminant operations

-Increase awareness of manure management and water quality improvement

-Develop unique marketing options for producers

Initial Outcomes:

-Equip producers to reduce risk and get a handle on cost of production

-Develop necessary skill sets

-Provide programs to improve soil health and sustainability

-Realize diversification within livestock enterprises

 


Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Evaluate increased number of producers shown to utilize improved management practices in their crop production

Indicator: Note the number of producers utilizing product usage and purchasing habits in their farm management practices

Method: Surveys, farm visits, evaluations

Timeline: July-June


Intermediate Outcome: : Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing hay through tri county hay auction

Indicator: type, quality & price per unit

Method: Survey local farmers who are selling in sale

Timeline: Seasonal, by crop


Initial Outcome: Evaluate changes in grain producers risk management plans

Indicator: Note changes in grain crops producers who attended programming

Method: Farm visits, 1 on 1 interviews, survey

Timeline: after harvest season

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

Audience: Tobacco Producers

Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP

Content or Curriculum: UK CAFÉ & GAP Connections

Inputs: GAP materials, specialist(s), GAP connections, US Dept of Labor

Date: Spring


Audience: Crop Producers

Project or Activity: Chemical Management Training

Content or Curriculum: Private Pesticide Training, Specialists

Inputs: UK Specialists, videos, field days

Date: Winter and early Spring


Audience: Animal Commodity Groups

Project or Activity: Monthly meetings

Content or Curriculum: forages, nutrition, health, marketing, management

Inputs: CAFÉ resources, UK & KSU specialists, SRPS

Date: July through June


Audience: Producers & Citizens Interested in Agriculture

Project or Activity: Get the Scoop radio show on WGGC

Content or Curriculum: Timely topics on production, safety, & new technology.

Inputs: Agents, CAFÉ resources, & UK specialists

Date: July through June


Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Producing profitable forage

Content or Curriculum: Forage best management practices

Inputs: Agents, UK specialists

Date: Fall and Winter


Audience: 4-H Youth Interested in Agriculture

Project or Activity: 4-H projects in horses, dairy, livestock, natural resources, & plant & soil sciences

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum & National 4-H project curriculum

Inputs: CAFÉ resources, UK specialists, 4-H specialists

Date: July through June




Success Stories

Hay Field to Hay Rings

Author: Christopher Schalk

Major Program: Forages

Agriculture agents of Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties (W8) joined forces to present a hands on program concerning forage just ahead of winter feeding.   The skyrocketing cost of inputs, coupled with very poor growing conditions prompted W8 Agents to develop a hands on forage program.  The program was hosted by the Metcalfe Co Cooperative Extension Service at the Metcalfe Co Farmer’s Market facility.  Producers participated in mini sessions on optimal har

Full Story

Grain Production in Tobacco Country

Author: Christopher Schalk

Major Program: Grains

Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties have traditionally been some, if not, Kentucky’s largest burley tobacco producing counties.   However over the past 15 years the amount of tobacco grown has rapidly decreased.  Traditional burley farmers have switched to the production of grain, specially corn, wheat, and soybeans.  Agriculture agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties (W8) joined efforts to provide an educational program for produce

Full Story

Tri County Hay & Straw Auction

Author: Christopher Schalk

Major Program: Forages

Tri-County Hay & Straw Auction started as only Metcalfe, Monroe & Barren Counties.  Today the cooperating counties are Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe.   The anticipated annual event is something both buyers and sellers of hay and straw have come to depend on.  Seemingly each year presents undesirable weather conditions that brings about a forage supply shortage for some producers.  The auction system of selling hay allows the supply and demand to accurate

Full Story
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