Extension
It Starts With Us
Educational Opportunities for Livestock Producers
Animal Agriculture
Shadrick
Hay testing
Beef
Soil testing
Forages
Forage and livestock management are vital to Kentucky's agricultural economy. There are approximately 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River. In 2017, animal sales for Webster County was 88.7 million. Cattle and calves makeup 12% while poultry and eggs make up 88%. Regardless of cattle prices, it is important to education beef producers on best management practices. Educational programs are needed to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Build the reputation and value of KY cattle
Improved public animal handling image
Improved end product quality and food safety
Enhanced profitability by selling value-added calves
Increased days of grazing
Protect and improve water quality
Producers save money by making better selection decisions
Improve sustainability of forage-based livestock systems
Improved forage stands due to proper establishment practices
Improved soil health and reduced soil erosion
Have access to premium markets
Implement a managed grazing system
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Soil test
Test forages for nutritional quality
Use alternative forage species (annuals, warm season perennial)
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Properly calibrate and use a no-till seeder
Adopt at least one ag water quality BMP for grazing livestock
Employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.
Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management and implement Ag Water Quality plans
Participate in KBN marketing programs (CPH, MAG 60)
Increase knowledge of nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production
Increase knowledge on body condition scoring
Raise awareness of proper animal handling a welfare
Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
Increase knowledge of veterinary feed directive
Increase knowledge of fundamentals of disease prevention
Identify best management practices for nutrient management
Gain knowledge of BMPS for proper injection techniques for cattle, proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time
Raise awareness of CPH-45 program requirements and benefits
Raise awareness of forage variety trial information
Understand how to fill forage gaps with alternative forage species
Awareness of forage harvest, storage and feeding management to reduce losses
Understanding pasture renovation and forage establishment practices
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Increased knowledge of nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production
Method: survey via google form and emailed/texted to participants
Timeline:within one month of program
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: number of producers testing forages for nutritional quality
Method: follow-up interview via phone
Timeline: 6 months after program
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Increased days of grazing
Method: follow-up interviews and surveys
Timeline: 6-18 months after program
Audience: Beef Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Timely reminders, updates and recommendations through social media
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications and recommendations
Inputs: UK Specialist, UK Extension Agents, KY Beef Network, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Governor's office of ag policy
Date: Calendar year
Audience: Webster County Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Beef Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Based on current beef and livestock issues
Inputs: UK specialists, Agents, Webster County Cattlemen's Association, KBN
Date: Winter 2023
Audience: Webster County Beef IRM Project
Project or Activity: Individualized program for Olson Farms
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Specialist, agents, Cattlemen's Association, KBN
Date: On-going Project (began in fall 2017)
Audience: Beef Producers
Project: Tri-County Field day/Pasture walk
Content or Curriculum: UK publications and guidelines
Inputs: Specialist, ANR agents, cattlemen's association, KBN
Date: Over other year on odd years in late summer/early fall
Audience: Beef Producers
Project: Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: ANR agents, specialists, NRCS staff
Audience: Beef Producers
Project: Ky Ag Matter Podcast
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, KDA, Farm Bureau, KSP, etc.
Inputs: ANR agents in Hopkins, Webster and Mclean counties, UK Specialist, local agriculture guest
Date: Weekly
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Forages
Efficient use of available forages is key to a successful cattle operation. According to NASS data, six percent (7.049 acres) of Webster County cropland is in hay and pasture. In 2021, fertilizer prices were at a historic high and input availability was uncertain. Producers were looking for ways to produce quality forages under these economic conditions.Webster County cattle producers identified bale grazing as a priority program during a needs assessment session in the fall of
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
Collaboration is “the act of working together with other people or organizations to create or achieve something” (Cambridge English Dictionary). When people or groups of people come together with the same purpose it can have a positive change on the expected outcome.In 2010 Webster County Cooperative Extension and the newly formed Webster County Cattlemen’s Association come together to plan, implement and evaluate the 1st annual Webster County Extension/Cattlemen’s
