Extension
It Starts With Us
Educational Opportunities for Livestock Producers
Animal Agriculture
Shadrick
Hay testing
Beef
Soil testing
Forages
Forage and livestock management are vital to Kentucky's agricultural economy. There are approximately 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River. In 2017, animal sales for Webster County was 88.7 million. Cattle and calves makeup 12% while poultry and eggs make up 88%. Regardless of cattle prices, it is important to education beef producers on best management practices. Educational programs are needed to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Build the reputation and value of KY cattle
Improved public animal handling image
Improved end product quality and food safety
Enhanced profitability by selling value-added calves
Increased days of grazing
Protect and improve water quality
Producers save money by making better selection decisions
Improve sustainability of forage-based livestock systems
Improved forage stands due to proper establishment practices
Improved soil health and reduced soil erosion
Have access to premium markets
Implement a managed grazing system
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Soil test
Test forages for nutritional quality
Use alternative forage species (annuals, warm season perennial)
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Properly calibrate and use a no-till seeder
Adopt at least one ag water quality BMP for grazing livestock
Employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.
Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management and implement Ag Water Quality plans
Participate in KBN marketing programs (CPH, MAG 60)
Increase knowledge of nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production
Increase knowledge on body condition scoring
Raise awareness of proper animal handling a welfare
Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
Increase knowledge of veterinary feed directive
Increase knowledge of fundamentals of disease prevention
Identify best management practices for nutrient management
Gain knowledge of BMPS for proper injection techniques for cattle, proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time
Raise awareness of CPH-45 program requirements and benefits
Raise awareness of forage variety trial information
Understand how to fill forage gaps with alternative forage species
Awareness of forage harvest, storage and feeding management to reduce losses
Understanding pasture renovation and forage establishment practices
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Increased knowledge of nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production
Method: survey via google form and emailed/texted to participants
Timeline:within one month of program
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: number of producers testing forages for nutritional quality
Method: follow-up interview via phone
Timeline: 6 months after program
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Increased days of grazing
Method: follow-up interviews and surveys
Timeline: 6-18 months after program
Audience: Beef Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Timely reminders, updates and recommendations through social media
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications and recommendations
Inputs: UK Specialist, UK Extension Agents, KY Beef Network, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Governor's office of ag policy
Date: Calendar year
Audience: Webster County Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Beef Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Based on current beef and livestock issues
Inputs: UK specialists, Agents, Webster County Cattlemen's Association, KBN
Date: Winter 2024
Audience: Webster County Beef IRM Project
Project or Activity: Individualized program for Olson Farms
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Specialist, agents, Cattlemen's Association, KBN
Date: On-going Project (began in fall 2017)
Audience: Bell Boys Beef Farms
Project: Back to Basic (Beef IRM program)
Content: UK Publications and recommendations
Inputs: Specialist, Agents
Date: Begins 2023 and will be on-going project
Audience: Beef Producers
Project: Tri-County Beef Conference
Content or Curriculum: UK publications and guidelines
Inputs: Specialist, ANR agents, cattlemen's association, KBN
Date: January 2024
Audience: Beef Producers
Project: Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: ANR agents, specialists, NRCS staff
Audience: Beef Producers
Project: Ky Ag Matter Podcast
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, KDA, Farm Bureau, KSP, etc.
Inputs: ANR agents in Hopkins, Webster and Mclean counties, UK Specialist, local agriculture guest
Date: New episode published on Monday each week
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Poultry/Small Flocks
In July of 2023, the McLean, Webster, and Hopkins County ANR agents coordinated a program in cooperation with UK ANR Agents, KADF, University of Georgia Poultry Specialist, Purdue, and Poultry producers in McLean County. A grant from the KADF was received to help bring a UGA ventilation specialist to the area to visit with producers. The ANR agents, Purdue Flock advisors and UGA Specialist made 8 different on-farm visits with Poultry producers to look at facilities and their ability to ven
Author: Vicki Shadrick
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
