Extension
It Starts With Us
3. Building Beef and Forage Production
Seeding Growth for Morgan County Family Farms & Agricultural Heritage
ANR
Forages
Beef
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Hay testing
Situation:Since the demise of tobacco, beef production is the backbone of Morgan County’s agricultural economy. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, cash receipts from cattle sales totaled over 2.8 million dollars in Morgan County. There is approximately 10,000 head of beef cattle. Regardless of cattle prices – but especially in tough economic times, it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land, reduce antibiotic use, and practice good animal welfare. In order to keep our family farms healthy in Morgan County, Extension must provide new and old producers alike with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable......AND It takes good hay and pasture to grow good livestock. Morgan County agricultural economy depends heavily on forages with 15,345 acres in hay production and 21,400 acres as pasture. Hay sales accounted for $1.4 million in the local ag economy. According to UK Forage Extension specialists, KY farmers are only utilizing about one third of the forages they are producing. Much of the forage consumed by our livestock is too low quality to meet expected performance requirements. There is a disconnect between management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance.
Long-term Outcomes: * Improved Herd Quality *Greater Long Term Viability * Increased profits of calves * Properly matched genetics *Less dependence on mainstream market *Improved farm economic status *Enhanced profit margins *Managed grazing
Intermediate Outcomes: *Nutrient management plan * Controlled breeding season *Managed grazing system *Utilize Body Condition Scoring System for nutrition management *Make EPD and selection decisions
Initial Outcomes: *Awareness of forage variety trial information
*Understand best management practices for hay production *Enhanced
knowledge of grazing management systems *Awareness of forage harvest,
storage and feeding management to reduce losses *Understanding pasture
renovation and forage establishment practicesInitial Outcomes: Increased knowledge of: *general herd management including herd health, forages, breeding, marketing, environmental impacts, and nutrition.
Evaluation
Outcome: Improved Herd Health QualityIndicator: less death loss and dollars spent on health recovery
Method: producer survey
Timeline: June, 2024
Outcome: Managed Grazing System
Indicator: extended number of days on pasture
Method: producer survey
Timeline: June, 2024
Outcome: Increased knowledge of beef basics
Indicator: number of new practices adopted
Method: producer survey
Timeline: June 2024
Outcome: Producers will have knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their operations
Indicator: # of farmers reporting planned changes as result of educational activities
Method: agent survey
Timeline: June, 2024
Outcome: Producers will utilize proven principles.
Indicator: Improved quality and quantity of hay, increased numbers of farmers utilizing fertility management practices.
Method: Previous hay and soil test results compared to current ones
Timeline: Nov, 2023 & Nov, 2024
Outcome: Livestock and forage farms will see increased income by improving existing operations or adding new enterprises.
Indicator: # of farms reporting new profit as a result of practice change
Method: pre & post survey
Timeline: Nov, 2023 & Nov, 2024
Audience: new and experienced beef producers
Audience: New or experienced beef producers
Project or Activity: Back to the Basics for Beef Production, monthly beef update webinars
Content or Curriculum: BQCA, KBN, CAIP Educational Programs
Inputs: BQCA materials, Extension Specialists, local vets, Off the Hoof, Beef IRM calendars, ANR Agent
Date: Summer and Fall, 2023
Audience: beef producers
Project or Activity: Complete Regional Master Cattlemen & Advanced Master Cattlemen Series
Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen
Inputs: Extension Specialists, MC curriculum, ANR Agent
Date: 4th Tuesday topics, Summer and Fall 2023
Audience: beef producers
Project or Activity: Bull Soundness Exams & Herd Health Day, continue cattle pregnancy checks promotion
Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen
Inputs: Extension Specialists, local vets, ANR agent
Date: March, 2024
Audience: livestock & hay producers
Project or Activity: Mountain Master Forager
Content or Curriculum: Master Hay Maker & Master Grazer
Inputs: Extension farm, specialists , ANR agent
Date: Winter 2023
Audience: beef and hay producers
Project or Activity: Mountain Cattlemen’s Association/East Ky Hay Contest
Content or Curriculum: various topics
Inputs: specialist, KCA
Date: quarterly meetings, Fall 2023
Audience: hay producers
Project or Activity: use of Extension farm, county equipment use, hay Contest, native grass demo plots Content or Curriculum: no til planter, hay wrapper demos
Inputs: Extension equipment, CAIP program, ANR agent hay sampling
Date: ongoing, Fall, 2023
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Beef
Beef and forage production remains the backbone of the agricultural economy in Morgan County. Supply chain issues and inputs costs for both enterprises have increased drastically. There are more challenges hindering the retention of family farms. From seed and fertilizer selection to machinery repair and feed purchases, all tools are needed to make the best economic choices for the farm.More farmers are using decision making tools offered by Ag Extension including soil testing, hay t
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Beef
Beef farmers wanting to implement Breeding Soundness Exams (BSE) in East Ky face several obstacles. These include veterinarian shortages, lack of safe bull handling facilities and transportation plus additional out of pocket expenses and time. Although farmers may understand the importance of BSEs as a protection against open cow herds, these barriers often preclude their participation.To remove these hurdles, Ag Extension Agents implemented a grant to offer three Bull Soundness Exa
