Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Adair County's Agriculture Industry
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Nick Roy
Beef
Grains
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Forages
In Adair County, crops and livestock generated 69.3 million dollars according to the last Ag census in 2017. Adair County’s livestock sector primarily consists of poultry, beef, and dairy which generate 69% of ag cash receipts. Grain crops generated 11.2 million dollars in cash receipts. Other areas such as tobacco, equine, and horticulture also made contributions to overall ag income.
The Adair County Agriculture Advisory council developed a list of concerns which pose the greatest risk to Adair County's Agriculture Industry. From that list, the council has assisted the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service develop the following plan of work to address those concerns.
Improve marketing of beef cattle to improve the overall profitability of beef producers.
Improve milk productions while identifying areas for dairy operations to become more efficient.
Improve management of forage production systems to meet forage needs of livestock.
Improve environmental stewardship following ag water quality plans and nutrient management plans.
Improve management of grain crops to follow or exceed trendline yields while increasing profitability.
Develop agriculture leaders in Adair County to ensure the continued success of the local agriculture industry.
Expand access to locally produced foods and improve profitability among those who produce those foods.
Beef farmers will implement weaning and marketing strategies proven to improve marketing and profitability.
Farmers will develop and implement ag water quality plans and nutrient management plans to ensure efficient use of animal waste.
Adair County youth and young farmers will participate in educational and leadership programs
Dairy producers improve milk production on a per head basis.
Improved forage management results in and increased production, increased quality, and/or decreased cost of forage production.
Grain crop producers adapt best management practices to improve yields and manage input costs
Farmers will learn develop strategies for best utilizing animal waste products.
Farmers will learn how to utilize cover crops in crop rotation.
Adair County young farmers and youth will develop networks to encourage growth and development.
Farmers will learn about marketing techniques, avenues, and options for their products.
Livestock producers will learn and develop best practices for forage management.
Volunteers trained to educate community as whol on horticulture.
Intermediate Outcome: Increased Use of Cover Crops
Indicator: Acres in cover crops
Method: Survey
Timeline: May 2023
Long Term Outcome: Improved Soil Fertility Management
Indicator: Soil Testing
Method: UK Soil Data
Timeline: September 2023-May 2024
Initial Outcome: Youth & Young Farmers Participation
Indicator: Number of youth & young farmers networking
Method: Survey
Timeline: September 2023-May 2024
Long Term Outcome: Improved Marketing of Farm Products
Indicator: Market Reports, new markets created, sale bills.
Method: producer survey
Timeline: September 2023-May 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Improved forage Management
Indicator: Forage yields and grazing days
Method: surveys
Timeline: September 2023-May 2024Intermediate Outcome: Improved grain yields
Indicator: Grain Yields
Method: NASS
Timeline: September 2023-May 2024Intermediate Outcome: Community Education in Horticulture
Indicator: EMG Reports
Method: Survey
Timeline: September 2023-May 2024
Audience: Dairy Producers
Activity: Center of Kentucky Dairy Seminar/Center of KY Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Forages, Economics,Genetics
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date: Winter 2024
Activity: Adair County Cattlemen’s Meetings
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: Enterprise improvement through genetics, health, and pre-conditioning.
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2023- June 2024Activity: Adair County Junior Cattlemen Association
Audience: Youth Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: 4H Livestock curriculum
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Activity: Adair County Feeder Cattle Program
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: Feeder Calf Protocol
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Activity: Commercial Vegetable Production Seminars
Audience: Hort Growers
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2024
Activity: Forage Testing
Audience: Forage Producers
Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: Dairy One Forage Lab
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Audience: Beef
Activity: Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Selected by participants
Inputs: Agent & Specialists
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Horticulture Producers
Activity: Farmer’s Market
Content or Curriculum: Marketing
Inputs: Agents & Volunteers
Date: Summer 2022
Audience: Horticulture Producers/Home hort
Activity: Garden Shortcourse/Garden Club Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener publications
Inputs: Agents & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2023-24
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Fertilizer Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Activity: Adair County Grain Field Day/Center of KY Grain Crops Meeting
Audience: Grain Producers
Content or Curriculum: Fertility, Plant Population, Weed Control
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date:Winter 2024
Activity: Animal Waste Nutrient Testing
Content or Curriculum: AGR-1
Inputs; UK Regulatory Services
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Phase I Cost Share Programs
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Input: Cattleman’s Association, Agents, & Staff
Date: July 2023- June 2024Audience: Youth Farmers
Activity: CAIP for Youth
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications/GOAP
Input: Cattleman’s Association, Agents, & Staff
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Pesticide Certification
Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program
Input: Agents, UK Publications
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Animal Science/Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum
Date: September 2023-May 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum and Trained Volunteers and
Specialist
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Parents, Specialists, Community Leaders, Office Staff
Date: September 2023-May 2024
Audience: Family
Project or Activity: Family Gardening Program
Curriculum: UK Gardening related publications
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: January-August 2024
Audience: Gardeners
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program
Curriculum: UK Gardening related publications
Inputs: Specialists, agent, staff
Date: 2023-2024
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Internal parasites are a major health concern in small ruminants and can cause drastic economic losses. Proper identification of parasites can aid in the prevention, treatment, and control of parasites. A lack of resources and vets specializing in small ruminants are major obstacles producers face with managing internal parasites. The Adair County Cooperative Extension Service in collaboration with KY State University conducted a fecal egg workshop to provide producers with the
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Beef
The Adair County Cooperative Extension Service provides educational programs, research, demonstrations, and services to help farmer improve beef production. According to USDA, Over 500 farmers care for 37,500 head of cattle in Adair County.The Basic Beef program cooperates with local farmers to implement practices in reproduction, genetic improvements, and forage management. Research conducted on local farms measuring improvements in soil fertility by unrolling hay during winter-feedi
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Grains
In 2020, the Adair County Agriculture Advisory council identified trucking costs of grain crops as a major concern of the long-term sustainability of grain crop production in Adair County. In 2020, grain farmers estimated trucking corns of corn to exceed $100 per acre. In 2023, trucking costs rose to $160 per acre. In response, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service began collaborating with the local Economic Development Authority to identify strategies to recruit indust
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Beef
In Adair County, Beef and Dairy cattle generates just over $50 million dollars in revenue according to the 2022 Ag Census. Adoption of BQCA practices help to ensure consumers receive and quality and wholesome product. Furthermore, the National Premise ID program can help trace livestock in the event of a emergency and can aid in protecting farmer's livestock and investments.During the month of April 2024, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service focused efforts on BQCA certificat
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
This past year, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service assisted12 local farmers in developing or updating their Kentucky Nutrient Management Plans (KNMP). This service provided to farmers aims to improve nutrient management practices on livestock farms, ensuring compliance with state regulations and promoting sustainable agriculture. The extension service provides education on nutrient management via workshops and one-on-one consultations, providing farmers with the necessary tools, know
