Crop Production SystemsPlan of Work

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Butler County CES

Title:
Crop Production Systems
MAP:
Improving Farm Practices
Agents Involved:
Drake
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grains
Situation:

Grain crop production is Butler County's largest agriculture enterprise with over $23 million in crop sales each year. The majority of the county's full-time farmers are grain producers. Around 40,000 acres are now planted each year in the county. Extension's unbiased research-based info is needed now more than ever.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers crop yields increase through management, making farms sustainable.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers will adopt improved practices to increase yield or profitability. Farmers will use the best seed varieties for their farm.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers learn about improved farm practices. Farmers learn best seed varieties for Kentucky.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmers learn about improved practices and varieties

Indicator: Evaluation results

Method: Paper evaluation

Timeline: September 2023


Intermediate Outcome: Farmers use best seed varieties

Indicator: Farmers using UK Variety trials to make seed decisions

Method: Interview

Timeline: May 2024


Long-term Outcome: Yield increases

Indicator: County average yield

Method: Get county average yield info from Farm Service Agency

Timeline: October 2023

Learning Opportunities:


Audience: Grain Farmers

Project or Activity: Promote UK Variety Trial information

Content or Curriculum: UK Variety Progress Reports

Inputs: Agent time, local media, newsletters

Date: November 2023


Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

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Success Stories

Cutting and Cultivating for the Future of Agriculture

Author: Gregory Drake

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Natural resource management is an important issue for any community.  Cut flower production is a quickly emerging segment of Kentucky agriculture.  A field day was planned to address these diverse topics and more.  A growing percentage of Butler County’s 150,000 acres of farmland is used for grain production.  Recent growth in row crop acres are coming from ground that has historically been used for forage production.  New farms that get started are looking for alt

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Southern Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Program

Author: Gregory Drake

Major Program: Chemical Management

Application of crop protection chemicals and lawn/landscape chemicals is an important industry in South Central Kentucky.  Professional applicators must receive training to stay current on issues, pests, techniques, and safety for the products they apply.  They need to receive continuing education to maintain their applicator license.  The agriculture and horticulture agents around the Mammoth Cave responded to a need for a commercial training opportunity by developing the SOKY Pe

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