Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture and Natural Resource Education - Beef and Forage Production and Marketing
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education
Michelle Simon
Beef
Forages
Small Farm Diversification
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, beef cattle and forage production (hay/pasture) are the two largest agriculture enterprises in Campbell County. Beef cattle represents 82% of animal revenue and 42% of all agriculture revenue in the county. Hay represents 92% of all crop acres in the county. 45% of all land in Campbell County is 25 % or greater slope. These steep slopes limit (to a great extent) Campbell County animal agriculture to forage/grazing based enterprises. Beef and forage production were given a high priority by the Campbell County Ag Council, ag business leaders, and Campbell County Cattle Association for continued/future Extension educational programs. These same leaders recommended beef and forage education focus on best management practices to increase production/efficiency, reduce costs, improved farm management and marketing skills while improving the stewardship of our natural resources. Through educational programs, field days and demonstrations farmers will implement the best management practices needed to improve productivity, profitable and sustainability of our family farms.
Increase weaning weights by 50 pounds per calf, record keeping showing improvements in profitability and farm financial stability, reduced expenses on farm inputs, long term improvement in farms natural resources such as soil and water, reduced environmental impact, improved genetics of beef herd, improved forage production, increased farm income, rotational grazing system, decreased winter feed costs/wastage, improved animal health, utilize alternative marketing opportunities.
Improved beef and forage production knowledge will lead to implementation of improved farm management practices that will include: farm recordkeeping, record weaning weights, implement practices to move from a year around to a controlled breeding and calving season, improved herd health and nutritional management that will enhance production efficiency, increase weaning weights, utilize alternative marketing opportunities, implement a managed/rotational grazing system, increase soil testing of hay and pasture fields, fields limed and fertilized based on soil test recommendations, utilize no-till drill to renovate hay and pasture with clover/legumes and improved forage grasses, stockpile tall fescue for fall and winter grazing, utilize body condition scoring to manage nutrition of animals, improved use of forage testing and ration balancing, implement crossbreeding program, participate in an AI school and utilize blood testing to check pregnancy diagnosis in beef cows, develop an ag water quality plan.
Increase knowledge of beef cattle production will include: Farm management skills and general beef cattle management practices (herd health, nutrition, body condition scoring, genetics, reproduction, end product, budgeting, record keeping and marketing. Increase knowledge of forage production will include soil and forage testing and ration balancing, grazing management/rotational grazing, improved forage quality, utilization, and storage.
Initial Outcome: Individuals/participants will indicate that they gained knowledge and plan to implement beef, forage and marketing practices and natural resources management practices on their farm. Farmers will increase knowledge in improved management practices by participating in educational programs, newsletter information and field days.
Indicator: Number of farmers participating in Farm Management Series and other beef, forage, and natural resources programs.
Method: Through program evaluations, observations and testimonies with producers that indicated increased knowledge gained on recommended production, marketing, and natural resource management practices. Increase participation by farmers in educational programs addressing agriculture production and natural resources management practices.
Timeline: Program surveys, testimonials, and observations throughout year
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will develop plans and begin to implement beef and forage best management practices and natural resources practices needed to increase farm productivity and profitability.
Indicator: Number of farmers indicating implementation of beef and forage best management practices and natural resources practices needed to increase farm productivity and profitability.
Method: Farm visits, testimonials, mailed surveys
Timeline: all year, surveys 6 to 12 months after programs.
Long Term Outcome: Farmers will become more productive, and profitable after implementing the beef and forage best management practices and natural resources practices needed to increase farm productivity and profitability.
Indicator: Number of farmers indicating increased productive, efficiency and profitability after implementing beef and forage best management production and marketing practices and natural resources practices.
Method: Post program surveys, farm visits, testimonials, number of implemented practices
Timeline: all year, surveys 1 to 2 years after programs.
Audience: Campbell/NKY Farmers
Project or Activity: Forage Focus Series
Content or Curriculum: Forage Management, Improving Production, Improving Efficiency
Inputs: Specialist, Agent
Date: February- August 2024
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Forage Tour/Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Weed Control and Alternative Forage Options Field Day
Inputs: Campbell County Host Farms
Date: July 2024
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Cattle Series
Content or Curriculum: Beef Cattle Management
Inputs: Campbell County Host Farms, Agent
Date: March 2025
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Project or Activity: Forage Testing & Ration Balancing Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Dairy One Forage Testing/UK Ration Balancing Program
Inputs: Forage samples, UK publications specialists, agent
Date: Year-round 2020-2025
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Project or Activity: CAIP and Conservation Grant Programs
Content or Curriculum: CAIP/Conservation Grant Programs
Inputs: CAIP Guidelines, County Investment programs
Date: Year-round 2020-2025
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Activity: Soil Testing Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Soil Testing Program
Inputs: UK soil lab, soil test recommendations, agent
Date: All year 2020-2025
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Bull Breeding Soundness Exam
Content or Curriculum: Bull BSE
Inputs: Producers, Veterinarians, Agent
Date: April 2024, 2025
Audience: Agriculture Council
Project or Activity: Ag Issues meetings
Content or Curriculum: program planning
Inputs: Ag leaders and Ag agent
Date: November 2024, 2025
Audience: Campbell County Cattle Association Board of Directors/general membership
Project or Activity: Board meetings and annual membership meeting
Content or Curriculum: Program planning and prioritization
Inputs: CCCA leaders, agriculture agent and CCCA members
Date: Monthly meetings, Second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
Audience: Farmers and General Public
Project or Activity: Campbell County Farm & Livestock Expo
Content or Curriculum: Equipment & Demonstration Expo at Fairgrounds
Inputs: CCCA leaders, agriculture agent, conservation, UK specialists, fair board, industry specialists
Date: May 2024, 2025
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Beef
Campbell County farmers have been challenged with the task of finding a large animal veterinarian for the last fifteen years when the last large animal vet practice closed. This has created even more challenges than farmers already face from unpredictable weather and economic changes, including but not limited to lack of access to antibiotics, emergency veterinary care and preventative health recommendations.In response to this issue, Campbell County ANR Agent collaborated with the Campbell Coun
