Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock Production, Management, Marketing, and Education
Strengthening Agriculture through Livestock Diversification
Samantha Saunders, ANR/4-H Agent
Beef
Agriculture
Forages
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
There are over 44,000 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. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky is slowly approaching a billion dollars, even with the fluctuation in marketing prices. Even when prices are high, 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 and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our local Agriculture and Natural Resource agents to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. Kentucky is home to 77,000 farms, with the average farm size being 169 acres, compared to the national average of 443 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2018). A farm is defined by the United States government as “any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year.” While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. The top agricultural products produced on Kentucky farms are changing. In 2015, the Top 10 agriculture products in Kentucky were: Broilers, Cattle & Calves, Horses & Other Livestock, Soybeans, Corn, Tobacco, Hay, Dairy Products & Milk, Chicken & Eggs, and Wheat (United States Department of Agriculture – Kentucky, 2015). Likewise, the agriculture scene in Robertson County has changed dramatically in the past several years. From being the most tobacco dependent county in the nation, with most farm efforts directed towards tobacco production, agriculturists in the county have diversified many tobacco farms into other agriculture entities, including that of livestock. According to the most updated statistics, Robertson County houses over 7,000 head of beef cattle. There are a several small flocks of sheep and goats in the county, one hog feeding operation, one dairy farm, and numerous horse owners. Having to travel outside the county for marketing and resource opportunities, it is imperative that livestock producers become educationally equipped to increase production efficiency and marketability of their livestock enterprises. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth.
In Robertson County, building livestock education can lead to positive management changes and increased youth showing skills to provide more farm income and show ring success for producers and youth after the post tobacco buyout era. The Ag Development Board, County Extension County, Agriculture Council, Farm Bureau, Cattlemen’s Association, 4-H Council, FFA, and 4-H/FFA Livestock Committee contributed in fulfilling these objectives.
•By improving management techniques through feeding efficiency, genetics, labor management, and increased understanding of market and industry desirability, beef practitioners will produce higher quality herds both phenotypically and genotypically.
•An increase in agriculture product quality will lead to higher profits for producers.
•Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
•Youth will identify future plans and career decisions, gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
•Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems
•Improved public animal handling image
•Improved animal welfare
•Improved marketing opportunities
•Build the reputation and value of KY cattle
•Improved end product quality and food safety
•Enhanced consumer confidence
•Beef practitioners will implement learned management techniques in their farming operations based on information presented in educational settings that research shows to be successful.
•Adults and youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food in the area of animal sciences.
•Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
•Adults and youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
•Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
•Adults and youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
•Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
More emphasis will be placed on newly adapted management strategies to ensure optimal results.
•Youth will put to use their agriculture education by attending competitions and purchasing livestock for show.
•Utilize basic principles of dystocia and manage to avoid it
•Use proper cattle handling and movement techniques
•Use proper transportation practices
•Reduce the use of electronic prods, pipes, and sticks for moving animals
•Calculate and properly time for castration and dehorning to minimize animal stress
•Utilize body condition scoring to manage nutrition of animals
•Appraise management practice changes; employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.
•Have access to premium markets
•Adults and youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food in the area animal sciences.
•Adults and youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
•Adults and youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record- keeping, leadership and service.
•Adult beef producers will develop an empowered outlook on their ability to produce quality stock in their farming enterprise.
•Because of group support, farmers will embrace the sense of unity from fellow beef producers in developing highly marketable livestock.
•Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.
•Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.
•Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.
•Gain knowledge of best management practices to reduce end product defects by learning about:
•Proper injection techniques and locations
•Proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time
•Proper handling techniques
Initial Outcome: The number of adults and youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in an ANR project, 4-H project, program, event or activity.
Indicator: More annual income, higher places in competitions
Method: Personal conversations, observation, evaluation
Timeline: 2024-2025
Intermediate Outcome: The number of adults and youth that keep production, performance or financial records on their farming enterprises and 4-H agriculture projects.
Indicator: Better farm management, project completion, etc.
Method: Records
Timeline: 2024-2025
Long-term Outcome: Increased profits for livestock producers, and success for 4-Hers in projects and activities
Indicator: More annual income, higher places in competitions
Method: Personal conversations, observation, tax status
Timeline: 2024-2025
Audience: Local Beef Practitioners
Project or Activity: Robertson County Cattlemen’s Association Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Relevant topics to production, management, and marketing of beef cattle
Inputs: Robertson County Beef Board of Directors, Cattlemen’s Association members, UK Specialists, Agriculture Extension Agents, local farms, other beef cattle experts
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Local Beef Practitioners
Project or Activity: Annual Cattlemen's Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Focus on increasing beef association membership and beef management
Inputs: Robertson County Beef Board of Directors, Cattlemen’s Association members, Agriculture Extension Agent, UK Specialist or other expert
Date: November 2024
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Care and Assurance
Content or Curriculum: Cattle Handling and Welfare Certification Program; one-hour videotape or live presentation; post-test
Inputs: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association/Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Beef Network
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Livestock producers
Project or Activity: Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Livestock, forage, fencing, and other stations
Inputs: local farm, local producers, agriculture agent, University specialists and other experts
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: 4-Hers interested in Animal Science
Project or Activity: Livestock Judging
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation, Sheep Resource Handbook, Goat Resource Handbook, KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Manual, KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit, Livestock Discovery CD
Inputs: local farms, youth, volunteers, 4-H agents, UK specialists
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: 4-Hers interested in Animal Science
Project or Activity: Livestock Show and Sale
Content or Curriculum: Showmanship, show competition, sale
Inputs: youth, volunteers, community supporters, FFA advisor, 4-H/FFA youth livestock committee, 4-H agent, auctioneer
Date: September 2024
Audience: 4-Hers interested in Animal Science
Project or Activity: Livestock Club, State Skillathon contest
Content or Curriculum: Meats & Livestock Materials & Handouts CD, Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation, Beef Resource Handbook, Sheep Resource Handbook, Goat Resource Handbook, Sheep Resource Handbook, KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Manuals, KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit, Livestock Discovery CD
Inputs: volunteers, 4-H agent, youth, state specialists
Date: Fall 2024- February 2025
Audience: 4-Hers interested in Animal Science
Project or Activity: Country Hams
Content or Curriculum: Curing country hams, public speaking
Inputs: volunteers, youth, 4-H agent
Date: January-August 2024, January-August 2025
Author: Samantha Saunders
Major Program: Agriculture
In July 2024, the Robertson County 4-H and Agriculture and Natural Resources programs hosted an intensive three-day day camp focused on Animal Sciences. This comprehensive program engaged 20 youth participants, aged 9-12, in a diverse array of topics including Sheep, Beef, Dairy, Kentucky Reptiles, and Buffalo.Day One: The program commenced with a visit to a local sheep producer, where participants observed the intricate process of sheep shearing. The youth then engaged in hands-on activities su
