Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop Production
Maximizing Farm Profitability in McLean County
Gabby Seymour
Grain Crops
Ag Marketing
Integrated Plant Pest Management
ANR Biotechnology
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 the foreseeable future. Grain crop producers are also facing negative feedback from the general public concerning usage of conventional practices and use of GMO's.
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 IMP practices.
Increase positive opinion of GMO/conventional production of non-farm individuals.
Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with grain marketing and marketing trends.
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production.
Utilize social media and/or other outlets to increase awareness of GMO & organic production vs conventional crop production.
Use diagnostic services to identify insect, disease and weed issues.
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations.
Implementation of on-farm trials.
Identify one or more cost that can be cut or decreased in production cost.
Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.
Identification of IMP practices for grain crop production.
Increase understanding of production regulations.
Understanding BioTech traits.
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.
Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.
Increase knowledge of land management practices for erosion control and soil health.
Initial Outcome: Farmers will be able to identify new strategies in crop production.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of new crop production strategies.
Method: Written Evaluation, Verbal Evaluation
Timeline: 6-12 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: 9-18 months
Long-term Outcome: Farmers are able to minimize cost and maximize profits utilizing Extension research, publications and services.
Indicator: Farmers will report decrease in input cost and increase in profits.
Method: Written Evaluation, Farm Business Analysis Reports
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: 2018
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Marketing/Farm Management Programs
Content or Curriculum: Grain Marketing Strategies, Ag Marketing Clubs, Farm Management
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extension Pubs, Farm Analysis Group,
Date: 2018
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Crop Related Field Days/Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: On-Farm Research Trials, Specialist Talks/Presentations, Agent Presentations,
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extensions Pubs, On-Farm Research Trials, Commodity Associations,
Date: 2018
Audience: Grain Producers/Young Farmers
Project or Activity: KY Farm Start Program
Content or Curriculum: Production & Management
Inputs: University Specialists
Date: Winter 2017 - Spring 2018
