Extension
It Starts With Us
Henry County Livestock Production
Livestock Production
Levi Berg, Cathy Toole
Beef
Forages
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
According to the 2012 census, Henry County had a total of $12,277,00 in animal sales. Cattle ranked highest at 79% of sales, while equine, breed/stud fees and small ruminants hold 21%. Forages also accounted for $386.232 annually. With this being said, livestock and forage production systems are extremely important to Henry County's agricultural production.
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person in Kentucky is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, work places and vehicles.
Improved farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Long term viability
Producers save money
Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
You will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food
systems.
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Test forage for nutritional quality
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Implement crossbreeding program
Make EPD and selection decisions
Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation
Implement use of multiple types of forages
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employ-ability.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products
Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Participants obtained BQA certification
Participants become aware of forages, nutrition, breeding, health, end products, animal management, and economics and marketing
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Participants obtain BQA certification. Participants become aware of forages, nutrition, breeding, health, end products, animal management, and economics and marketing
Method: surveys before and after programs, and number of attendees to programs
Timeline: Spring, Summer and Fall of 2018
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Individuals utilize more grazing systems and forages. Use more strigent reproduction selection, and increase veterinarian exams.
Method: Reports from NRCS, FSA, KDA, and local veterinarian offices. Surveys in the winter of 2017
Timeline: summer and fall 2018
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Farm become more profitable, health of animals increase, and improved farm economic status
Method: surveys in winter of 2017, reports from KDA about animal and forage sales, utilize reports from NRCS and FSA about use of programs, and utilize reports from local veterinarians
Timeline: fall and winter 2018
Initial Outcome: Regular participation by 4-H club members,learning about the basic care and feeding of animals.
Indicator: Animals are being well cared for and treated humanely.
Method: Observation by club leader. Sign in sheets listing participation.
Timeline: Fall to Summer 2018
Intermediate Outcome: Youth complete the 6 hours of required training.
Indicator: Youth are more knowledgeable about foods systems and more advanced in working with animals.
Method: Observation by club leader, attendance in workshops and training's outside club meetings. Youth become more involved in showing, judging and quiz bowl activities.
Timeline: Fall to Summer 2018
Long Term Outcome: Youth will be knowledgeable in selecting animals to purchase.
Indicator: Understand how to get the best nutrition for their animal, evaluate the animal for signs of sickness and determine when to call a vet for assistance. Be able to use their knowledge to enhance their income.
Method: Observation by leader, level of participation at state events, the number of animals purchased by the youth.
Timeline: Fall to summer 2018
Audience: Farmers, Owners, Veterinarians,
Project or Activity: Livestock nutrition seminars
Content or Curriculum: UK nutrition seminars
Inputs: UK specialist, KDA, Veterinarians
Date: Feb 2018
Audience: Farmers, Owners, students
Project or Activity: Forage field days
Content or Curriculum: UK forage research
Inputs: Extension agents, Extension Specialist, NRCS
Date: May and June 2018
Audience: Farmers, Owners, Students, Veterinarians, NRCS, FSA
Project or Activity: Regional Beef Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK, NRCS, FSA, KDA research and information
Inputs: Extension Specialist, NRCS, FSA, KDA
Date: Sept 2018
Audience: Farmers, Owners, Students, Veterinarians
Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen
Content or Curriculum: UK and KDA research and information
Inputs: Extension Specialist, Extension Agents
Date: May - September 2018
Audience: Farmers, Owners, Students
Project or Activity: Henry County Youth Best Beef Contest
Content or Curriculum: UK, KDA, Extension research and information
Inputs: Extension Specialist, Henry County Cattlemen's Association, Trackside Butcher Shoppe, 4-H Livestock Club
Date: March - October 2018
Audience: Livestock Club Members
Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Livestock Club
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certified leader, financial support, facilities
Date: October-August 2018
Audience: Rabbit and Poultry Club Members
Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Club
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, training for leader, financial support
Date: October-August 2018
Audience: Horse Club Members
Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Horse Club
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certification for leader, financial support
Date: October- May 2018
Audience: Country Ham Project Members
Project: Curing a Country Ham
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certification for leader, built a ham house on site.
Date: January - August 2018
Author: Levi Berg
Major Program: Beef
Henry County, like many other former tobacco dependent counties, has had a renewed push towards beef production. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Henry County has nearly $1,000,000 in beef animal sales yearly. However, the average farmer age is ­­­­­57.6 years old according to the National Agriculture Statistically Service, 2016, so the Henry County Extension wanted to find a way to encourage more youth to participate in raising beef. The Henry County Youth Best B
