Increase Livestock Production in Green CountyPlan of Work
Green County CES
Title:
Increase Livestock Production in Green County
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Ricky Arnett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Dairy
Situation:
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.
Long-Term Outcomes:
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.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Producers adopt and implement new technologies in marketing and management of their farming enterprise.
Initial Outcomes:
Knowledge is gained by participants in the areas of management, economics, and the latest in marketing technologies.
Evaluation:
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
Learning Opportunities:
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
Success Stories
Phase I Money's
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
Full Story
Beef Production
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
Full Story
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