Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing Crop Production in Green County
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ricky Arnett
Grains
Forages
Tobacco
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
With the sharp decrease in prices over the last year, grain production has decreased slightly in Green County. With the production of grain being stable and prices being lower has had a large effect on the economy of central Kentucky. The Green County Extension Council has set a priority on helping farmers to learn to increase yields, decrease input cost, by being more efficient than before.
Forages may not have the largest economic impact but is the largest crop in Green County and is the most important crop to our livestock producers. Producing better forages through timing and weed management is a goal the Ag Advisory Council wants to see met.
Tobacco production is still a very large part of Green County's agricultural economic structure. With over 5 million pounds still grown in our county it is over $10 million in farm income. Although tobacco production is decreasing the council has set tobacco as a priority to help increase yields and decrease inputs to help keep tobacco a stable production.
Farmers will seek out assistance from extension resources before making decisions. Famers will accomplish on-farm what they have learned and seen demonstrated resulting in controlled costs and greater returns.
Make educated decisions demonstrating their knowledge of plant physiology and growth stages. They will be able to use practices such as: soil testing and fertilizing according to results, appropriate tillage drainage methods to avoid compaction, appropriate plant populations and row widths.
Cropping systems will be developed to reduce weed, disease, wildlife, and environmental impact utilizing pesticides.
Farmers will investigate marketing strategies allowing them to take advantages of price premiums and giving them marketing variables rather than being locked in to regional prices
Demonstrate increased knowledge in areas of: soils, crop development, marketing, management, storage, and information management.
Initial Outcome: Producer participation in educational programs
Indicator: Programs and educational materials being distributed
Method: Survey & Analysis
Timeline: Annually
Intermediate Outcome: Producers implementing new production and marketing strategies
Indicator: Participation in new and alternate market venues
Method: Survey & Analysis
Timeline: Annually
ally
Long-term Outcome: Increase yields and house hold income
Indicator: Yields increase and production cost decrease
Method: Survey & Analysis
Timeline: Annually
Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Center of KY Tobacco Meeting & GAP Training
Content or Curriculum: Ky Tobacco Guide and GAP
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, GAP, Sponsors
Date: Winter 2022/23
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Forage Testing
Content or Curriculum: KY Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: Dept. of Ag Forage Lab
Date: Summer 2021/22
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Soil Analysis and Fertilize Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: Ongoing
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Phase I Cost Share
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Agent, Cattlemen's Association, Staff
Date: Ongoing
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification
Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program
Inputs: Agent, Specialists, UK Publications
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Center of KY Grain Crops Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Marketing and research updates
Inputs: Agents, Specialists
Date: Winter 2022/23
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Weed and Disease Identification
Content or Curriculum: Situation Control
Inputs: Agent, Staff, Specialists, UK Regulatory Services
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Strategic Marketing Program
Content or Curriculum: Understanding Grain Markets
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Green County Grain Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Grain Technologies update
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Sponsors
Date: Fall 2022
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Agriculture Development Council
Content or Curriculum: Planning the Investment of Local Phase I Dollars
Inputs: Agent, Ag Development Council
Date: Ongoing
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Silage Plots
Content or Curriculum: Analysis on Corn Varieties
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors, Volunteers
Date: Ongoing
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Estate Planning
Content or Curriculum: Planning for the Future
Inputs: Agent, Sponsor
Date: Fall 2022
Author: Ricky Arnett
Major Program: Tobacco
Even with the changes that much of the tobacco industry has seen across the state of Kentucky since the tobacco buyout in 2001, and the weather conditions tobacco farmers has faced over the last three to five years, tobacco remains a strong and vital component of Green County. According to the Kentucky Agriculture statistics, this $10 million annual crop makes up over 33 % of Green County’s Agriculture economy. A strong joint effort has been implemented by Green, Adair, and Taylor counties
