Extension
It Starts With Us
2024 Beef Cattle Production
Production Agriculture
Matt Chadwick, Calyn Colston
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Beef
Forages
There are over 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; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Even with profitable prices 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.
In Calloway County several young producers have shown interest in beef cattle production, while seasoned producers seek ways to make their operations more efficient and diversify their income streams. We will continue to build upon the success of the last program cycle by adding more complex and detailed management meetings. This cycle we will focus on increasing net profits, record keeping, and Community outreach for local beef products. In addition we also have several young people interested in farming as a full time profession, we will begin to incorporate them into production meetings as Jr. Cattlemen
-Improved farm economic status
- Increase the sustainability and long term viability of the farm operation
-Producers save money by making better selection decisions.
-Improved herd quality
-Increased profits of operation
-Implementation of rotational grazing system.
-Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
-Test forage, hay, and concentrated feeds for nutritional quality
-Utilize a complete mineral supplement program at all times
-Make EPD and selection decisions
-Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation
-Understanding of basic rotational grazing system
-Gain knowledge of the beef industry and information and tools to succeed in beef production
-Interpret forage analyses, feed and mineral bag tabs and to balance rations.
-Operate a computer program to balance rations.
-Increase awareness of the following practices:reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general herd management, economics and marketing, physiology of forage growth, grazing math, shade and water, parasite control, animal health and disorders from forage, rotational grazing systems, temporary fencing, and forage types for grazing systems.
Initial Outcome: Gain knowledge of the beef industry and information and tools to succeed in beef production, for producers and consumers.
Indicator: Adoption of basic adjustments and BMPs on the farm, increased Local Demand for Local Beef.
Method: One on One conversations and interactions with producers and consumers.
Timeline: 2024-2026
Intermediate Outcome: Test forage, hay, and concentrated feeds for nutritional quality, Consumers demand for Local Beef increases farm profits
Indicator: Increased number of sample submitted, increased number of viable farms
Method: Comparison to numbers of test submitted over timeline
Timeline: 2024-2026
Long-term Outcome: Increase the sustainability and long term viability of the farm operation
Indicator: Adoption of major practice adjustments such as rotational grazing, AWQ BMPs, forage improvement programs, and Herd improvement programs.
Method: One on one conversations
Timeline: 2024-2026
Audience: Young/Beginning Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattleman
Content or Curriculum: 10 sessions @ 4 hours ea.; Lecture & Hands-on basic principle topics: visual selection, AI, pregnancy palpation, cattle handling, vaccination techniques, etc.; occurs as regional multi-county groups every other year
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Volunteers, Program materials, Locations to host programs, Program Partners/Sponsors, Program materials/handouts/ presentation material, Equipment/Computer/ Projector, Kentucky Beef Network
Date: Fall 2020/Winter 2024
Audience: Cattle Producers, Hay Producers, Horse Producer, Small Ruminent Producers
Project or Activity: KY Grazing Schools, Western KY Forage Field Day
Content or Curriculum: KY Grazing School Curriculum
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Volunteers, Program materials, Locations to host programs, Program Partners/Sponsors, Program materials/handouts/ presentation material, Equipment/Computer/ Projector, Kentucky Beef Network
Date: Spring/Summer annual
Audience: Producers, Farm Managers, Certified Crop Advisors, Private Agronomist, County Agents, Ag Retailers, Farm Workers, Industry Reps. General Public, Point of Sale Employees
Project or Activity: Quarterly Newsletter, Monthly Newspaper Articles
Content or Curriculum: Timely Information
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research information, State and Federal Organizations
Date: ON-Going
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Calloway County Cattlemen Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Researched based speaker and publications
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research information, State and Federal Organizations
Date: Bi-Annually
Audience: Youth Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Calloway County Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Researched based speaker and publications
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research information, State and Federal Organizations
Date: Monthly
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Local Farm Products Showcase
Content or Curriculum: Researched Based flyers and information
Inputs: UK Facilities, Local Farmers and Producers , Flyers, Researched Based Publications.
Date: Winter 2024
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Major Program: Beef
Issue or SituationDuring previous educational meetings, capacity limitations of the extension meeting space created an uncomfortable environment for participants, with overcrowded seating and poor conditions for effective learning. This restricted interaction and reduced the overall quality of the educational experience, making it difficult for attendees to engage fully with the material.Outreach or Educational Program ResponseTo address the issue of overcrowding and improve the learning environ
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Major Program: Beef
Describe the Issue or SituationTraditionally, Kentucky's cattle industry has been predominantly focused on the cow-calf sector, a capital-intensive enterprise with the longest return on investment (ROI) period among mainstream agricultural ventures. This presents significant challenges for young producers, typically under the age of 45, attempting to establish themselves in the industry. Financial barriers, coupled with the slow ROI, often discourage entry and sustainability for new producer
