Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop Production
Maximizing Farm Profitability in McLean County
David Fourqurean
Grains
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Chemical Management
Integrated Pest Management
Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the the foreseeable future. Grain crop producers are also facing factors not related to agriculture(continued supply change issues, Trade Wars, war in Ukraine, wild fluctuations in the market place) that affect the markets, exports and their profitability.
Maximize profits for crop producers.
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil or living area.
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems.
Significant percentage of producers implementing safety and responsibility concerning pesticide use.
Increase the use of sustainable Best Management Practices.
Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with grain marketing and marketing trends.
Effective utilization of poultry litter by grain producers.
Rewriting Nutrient Management plans to be in compliance with new regulations.
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production(drones, soil mapping).
Utilize social media and/or other outlets to increase awareness of pesticide safety and management practices.
Use diagnostic services to identify insect, disease and weed issues.
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations.
Increase the number of producers fertility testing poultry litter for more accurate application to crop fields.
Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.
Increase understanding of production regulations.
Understanding chemical safety and hazards.
Understanding importance of on-farm trials.
Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production.
Identify herbicide resistant pest and strategies to overcome these pest.
Understanding of value of social media in promoting production agriculture(Facebook, Podcast).
Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.
Increase production due to better utilization of poultry litter.
Initial Outcome: Farmers will be able to identify new strategies in crop production and IPM knowledge.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of new crop production strategies.
Method: Written Evaluation, Verbal Evaluation, face to face visits
Timeline: 8-11 months
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will implement one or more practice that was learned at an Extension program.
Indicator: Farmers report implementing one or more new practice.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation, Observation
Timeline: 1-2 years
Long-term Outcome: Farmers are able to minimize cost and maximize profits utilizing Extension research, publications and services with local yield trials as research as well as IPM information.
Indicator: Farmers will report decrease in input cost and increase in profits.
Method: Written Evaluation, Farm Business Analysis Reports, Face to face meetings
Timeline: 2-3 years
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Grain Day Program
Content or Curriculum: Research Plot Data, Specialist Talks/Presentations
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, On-Farm Research Trials, Publications
Date: January 2024
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Marketing/Farm Management Programs
Content or Curriculum: Grain Marketing Strategies, Ag Marketing Clubs, Farm Management, IPM curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extension Pubs, Farm Analysis Group, IPM materials
Date: yearly
Audience: poultry and grain producers
Project or Activity: Litter Management Program/ Nutrient management plan development
Content or Curriculum: Litter analysis, management strategies, Budgets and research publication, BMP's
Inputs: University Specialists
Date: Winter 2024
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Tri-County Ag Extension Group consists of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents in Webster, McLean and Hopkins Counties. The counties are not only alike geographically, but also agriculturally. Many producers in the tri-county area farm in all three counties. With specialist demand during the “winter meeting season” coupled with travel constraints, moving toward multi-county educational opportunities just makes sense. The Tri-County Ag Extension Group offer
