Extension
It Starts With Us
Improve Livestock Production and Management Skills
Promote Livestock Production and Management
Garrard Coffey
Beef
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Equine
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Teachable moments for new and improved livestock production practices are continually developing. Nearly 350 Beef Farm Operators need exposure to better management practices in Herd Health, Nutrition and Genetics as well as assistance placing practices in place to improve their production and marketing. The Cattlemen's Association, Agriculture Development Council and Livestock groups assist in program identification and implementation.
Livestock producers optimize their management skills through current technology allowing for increased income and economic stability.
Livestock producers will seek and implement new management skills such as Cattle Handling facilities, Herd Health, Nutrition, Breeding Management, Back grounding and Marketing.
Livestock producers will gain knowledge in current technology and implement practices as it relates to improved management and economic stability. Including improved handling facilities allowing for appropriate herd health procedures for cows, calves and yearlings. Beef Quality Assurance as related to animal health procedures. Breeding management of the bull as well as new breeding tools for synchronization and timed AI. Nutrition for cows and yearlings, new de-worming procedures for herd health. Two demonstration herds participate in (IRM) Integrated Resource Management project.
Initial Outcome: Beef Producers utilize Winter Producer Meetings, Special Multi-County classes, CAIP Investment Programs, Extension farm visits to improve working facilities, implement new de-worming procedures for herd health, and adoption/management results from IRM project.
Indicator: Number participating, Investments made.
Method: Meetings, Farm visits, demonstrations.
Timeline: Year round
Audience: Livestock producers
Project or Activity: BQCA, Herd Health, Reproduction, Nutrition, Genetics, On Farm Demos of cattle estrous synchronization, economics, pasture management, hands on field days, conservation practices
Content or Curriculum: Winter Producer Meetings on Herd Health, Calving Seasons, Reproductive Management, Economic update, Mineral formulation and Marketing.
Inputs: Training meetings, Tour, Demonstrations, podcasts, youtube channel, facebook videos,
Date: January-October
Author: Garrard Coffey
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The Rockcastle County Extension office holds its winter meetings every year starting in January and conclude in March. These meetings are focused on livestock production encompassing all areas of farm management. In early February of 2022 Dr. Greg Halich was invited to speak to our group about ways to decrease commercial fertilizer use therefore increasing profits. In his presentation Dr. Halich presented several options that included, bale grazing, rotational grazing, stocking
Author: Garrard Coffey
Major Program: Beef
A series of beef production classes was held at the Rockcastle County Extension office January through March of 2023. These classes included soil testing and fertilizer management for pasture and hay ground, fencing and on farm water, cattle marketing strategies, weed management in pasture and hay ground, and the Rockcaslte County Cattlemen's association annual meeting and banquet where Kentucky Cattlemen's gave and up date on the state association. On average 36 people
Author: Garrard Coffey
Major Program: Beef
The problem- A need for permanent livestock identification for beef farmers. The educational program response- The Rockcastle and Pulaski county extension offices offered a program on freeze branding cattle to the counties beef producers. The program consisted of discussion of tools needed for branding and a live demo of how to brand cattle with branding irons. Different methods of branding was discussed as well as why we chose to freeze brand. It was also discussed how to have
