Extension
It Starts With Us
Increase Livestock Production in Green County
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ricky Arnett
Beef
Forages
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Dairy
Livestock production has always been a large part central Kentucky especially in Green County. Although prices are down there are still over $13 million in gross receipts in the livestock industry in Green County annually. This has a $78 million effect on the overall economy of the rural, central Kentucky County's. Beef cattle is still the number one livestock industry in Green County but small ruminants are growing at a very rapid pace. The sheep and goat industry has almost doubled in the last 2 years. Green County's livestock industry is still in great demand and the Green County Extension Council has identified livestock production as a major concern for the coming years. Forages, marketing, management, and economics were identified as focus areas that could help the future of the livestock industry in Green County.
Due to increased efficiency on the farm and utilizing different marketing strategies, farm families will experience an increase in income, adding to their standard of living.
Producers adopt and implement new technologies in marketing and management of their farming enterprise.
Knowledge is gained by participants in the areas of management, economics, and the latest in marketing technologies.
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
Long-term Outcome: Increase Production and house hold income
Indicator: Increase lbs of meet sold and decrease operating cost
Method: Survey & Analysis
Timeline: Annually
Audience: Dairy Producers
Project or Activity: Center of KY Dairy Short Course
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Health
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors
Date: Winter 2022/23
Audience: Dairy Producers
Project or Activity: Center of KY Dairy Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Health
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors
Date: Fall 2022
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Green County Cattlemen's Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Marketing, Genetics, Retained Ownership, Mineral Programs
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Sponsors
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Green County Retained Ownership Program
Content or Curriculum: Ownership until slaughter
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Feedlots
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Center of KY Beef Conference
Content or Curriculum: Updates on Research and Markets
Inputs: Agents, Specialists
Date: July 2022
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Forage Testing
Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: Agent, Staff, KY Dept. of Ag Lab
Date: Summer 2022
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Forage Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Quality Forages
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists, Sponsors
Date: Fall 2022
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Soil Analysis and Fertilizer Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: Ongoing
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Phase I Cost Share Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Agent, Staff, Cattlemen's Association
Date: Ongoing
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification
Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, UK Publications
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance
Content or Curriculum: Herd Health Certification
Inputs: Agent, UK Publications
Date: Ongoing
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: Agent, 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: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Phase I funding continues to play an integral part of the agriculture of Green County. The Green County Agricultural Development Board helped to administer over $300,000 to the agriculture producers of Green County.The council funded producers with the C.A.I.P. program that included: genetics, fencing, on farm water development, cattle handling, hay storage, diversification, technology, dairy diversification, and forage improvement. Several different educational offerings included as part of the
Author: Ricky Arnett
Major Program: Beef
Green County is the home of 20,200 beef cows (KY NASS) which contribute over $13.5 million to the local economy. (USDA Ag Census 2017). With a cow to bull ratio of 25:1 and a useful life of a bull averaging 4 years, Green County beef farmers purchase nearly 200 bulls each year. 75% of the genetics of retained heifers can be traced to the bulls farmers have used in the past five years. Therefore the importance of bull selection goes far beyond just a few calf crops. Agricu
