Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef Production/Forage Production
Livestock Production
Ted Johnson
Beef
Forages
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
There are over 2000 mature mother cows in Lee County, resulting in around $2,500,000.00 annually. As prices begin to fall it is very important that beef producers be educated on best management practices to: keep cost down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. More beef producers in Lee County could benefit from implementing best management practices into their operation, many producers do not understand the input cost on beef herds. The beef producers Lee County do not know the cost of producing a pound of beef on their operation.
Improve farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Producers save and make money
Increase profits
Reduce expenses
Improve herd quality
Reduce environmental impact
grazing and hay production are managed from an economic and heard health prospective
Improve Forage Quality
Improve Forage Utilization
Test forage for nutritional quality
Utilize a complete mineral supplemental program
Better understand hay making and marketing
Better utilize forages
Purchase supplements that deliver adequate nutrition to the animals
Improve grazing management
Producers utilize best management practices for forages
Implement forage saving feeding systems
Increase knowledge of: nutrient needs, the effects of livestock and environmental interaction.
Recognize what factors lead to high quality forage
Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy reproductive animal.
Gain knowledge of best management practices
Awareness of recommended forage varieties
Understand forage renovation practices
Initial Outcome: Knowledge of best management practices
Indicator: number of producers that gained knowledge
Method: survey
Timeline: winter of 2023
Intermediate Outcome: Number of producers that put in practice some recommendations.
Indicator: increased pounds of beef produced
Method: survey
Timeline: summer of 2023 and 2024
Long-term Outcome: Producers have increased profits
Indicator: profit has increased on the farm
Method: survey
Timeline: fall 2023 and 2024
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Hay feeding systems
Content or Curriculum: Fence line feeder, and filter fabric pads
Inputs: Ted Johnson and Specialist
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Beef/forage producers
Project or Activity: Utilizing forages
Content or Curriculum:, forage management
Inputs: specialist
Date: fall 2023 and spring 2024
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity :Hay and pasture field renovation
Content or Curriculum: Renovation
Inputs: Agent and specialist
Date: Fall 2023 and spring 2024
Audience: Beef/forage Producers
Project or Activity: News Letters and mass media
Content or Curriculum: Economics
Inputs: agent and specialist
Date: Fall 2023 and spring 2024
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Beef
The problemI have had an increase of calls and questions regarding beef cattle health issues, the common factor has been farmers not following a strict vaccination protocol for their beef herd.The educational program responseThe Lee County Extension Service along with the University of Kentucky Extension Veterinarian developed and conducted program to educated beef producers on the fundamentals of herd health and vaccination protocols. over 25 beef producers participated.The participants/t
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Forages
The problem: High Fertilizer cost has made forage producers to make hard decisions in the last 2 years. Do they apply fertilizer to hay and pasture fields or not?The educational program response: For the past two years we have conducted several programs on the topic of improving forage quality when applying less fertilizer. We have focused on introducing Korean Lespedeza into pastures and hayfields because it will grow and perform good under low fertile soils. by introducing Korean Lespedeza wil
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Forages
The problem: Beef producers in Lee County have a very high stocking rate per acre. High stocking rates leads to low profits for beef producers.The educational program response: The Lee County Extension Service has addressed this issue with several programs such as Demonstrating to the beef producers how to measure the acreage on there farms to get a more accurate number of grazing acres. We have also demonstrated how to correctly measure the forage production on their farm. Several trainings has
