Union County CES

Title:

Grain Crops

MAP:

Agriculture Production, Profit, and Management

Agents Involved:

ANR Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Grains

Situation:

The number of Union County farms has decreased while the average farm size has increased according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture from the USDA. 93% of Union County farms are family businesses with 27% hiring labor. 58% of Union County farmers are between the age of 35 and 64. 8% of Union County farmers are below 35. Union County producers over 16.8 million bushels of grain annually with 88.7% of total land designated as farms.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maintain family farms. Reduce risk in farming. Maintain or improve marketing opportunities for farmers.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Applied marketing techniques using futures or options to reduce risk levels for crops. Use of Extension diagnostic services. Implement on-farm trials for new grain variety production. Developed or implemented nutrient management plans. Adopt farm management practices based on UK research and recommendations.

Initial Outcomes:

Understand importance and frame work of on-farm trials. Improve or maintain record keeping practices. Incorporate technology to effectively manage farm operations. Understand the value in a variety of marketing techniques.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Land available to be put into UK trials from producers.

Indicator: 1071.9, 1071.10

Method: UK researchers, observations

Timeline: 1 year

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of advanced marketing plans and techniques.

Indicator: 1082.3, 1082.4, 1082.6

Method: Transactions used at local elevators

Timeline: 2 years

Long-term Outcome: Increase profits per bushel or per acre.

Indicator: 1081.7, 1082.6

Method: NASS

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Marketing Assistance Program

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, agribusinesses

Date: Winter

Project or Activity: Yield Survey and Contest

Content or Curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: UK specialists and publications

Date: June through October

Audience: Grain Producers, Agribusinesses

Project or Activity: Field Day and Demonstration

Content or Curriculum: UK specialists and publications, agent developed

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, agribusinesses

Date: Summer

Project or Activity: Grain Day

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed, UK specialists

Inputs: Agribusinesses, UK specialists and publications

Date: January/February

Success Stories

Union/Henderson Co Grain Crop Short Course

Author: Katie Hughes

Major Program: Grains

The Grain crops short course series was 4 weeks that was hosted by Union and Henderson Co ANR agents where 2 weeks were in one office and the other 2 in the other office. If producers attended 3 out of the 4 weeks then their private applicator license was renewed. There was an avg of 20 producer for each meeting. The topics that were discussed were grain drying and storage, grain hauling and moblie apps, corn diseases, weed control lessons and preparation for next crop season, soybean diseases,

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