Extension
It Starts With Us
Dealing with Market Fluctuations
Grain Crop Systems and Environmental Stewardship
Evan Tate - ANR
Grains
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Integrated Pest Management
Hancock County has several well established grain production units with many younger producers well invested in infrastructure. Fertile river bottom ground in Hancock County has been well utilized to produce corn and soybeans. Currently, Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future. Producers, now more than ever need to be inventive in management practices to perpetuate sustainability.
Producers continue to adopt soil conservation techniques in order to conserve valuable topsoil while maximizing profits due to better marketing tactics. Farm Management tools will be utilized more often in order to better asses production and cost of operation.
Producers will apply new technology for crop production. Producers will use a variety of diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds. Producers will acquire and utilize test plot data.
Producers Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products. Producers recognize herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pest. Producers understanding of production regulation increases. Producers look for opportunities to update current equipment to offset new purchases.
Initial Outcome: Increased participation in Private Applicator training
Indicator: Increased number of licenses
Method: Compare registrations to previous years
Timeline: Spring 2023
Intermediate Outcome: Producers utilize test plot data to make seed selection
Indicator: Hancock Co Extension has an increase in interest form producers for test plot data
Method: Survey
Timeline: Fall 2023
Long-term Outcome: Producers adhere to better farm management and record keeping skills
Indicator: Producers are better able to project cost and production parameters
Method: Survey
Timeline: Fall 2023
Audience:Producers
Project or Activity: Producers see differences in variety performance on land within the county
Content or Curriculum: Field day for producers to see varieties
Inputs: County Agent, UK Specialist, Producers
Date: Fall 2023
Audience:Producers
Project or Activity: Producers gain information on pest control
Content or Curriculum: Private Application Course
Inputs: Count Agent, UK Specialist, producers
Date: Spring 2023 and Fall 2023
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Small farms who raise niche crops and small scale produce are often at a disadvantage when marketing their products on a regional scale. Additionally, small operations often do not have the facilities to further process crops toward a market ready value added convenience item to further drive sales and profitability.The Hancock Co Cooperative Extension Service has invested significant time in gathering resources for small farm operations so that these entities could move further toward sustainab
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
Small farms who raise niche crops and small scale produce are often at a disadvantage when marketing their products on a regional scale. Additionally, small operations often do not have the facilities to further process crops toward a market ready value added convenience item to further drive sales and profitability.The Hancock Co Cooperative Extension Service has invested significant time in gathering resources for small farm operations so that these entities could move further toward sustainab
