Elliott County CES

Title:

Beef/Livestock Production

MAP:

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Jacob Ison/ Morgan Murphy

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Hay testing

Situation:

There are approximately 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. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture and 2018 Kentucky Agriculture Statistics Survey there are 6,000 cattle and calves on 363 farms in Elliott County and generated $1,892.000 in revenue. With the decline in beef cattle prices over the past several years in the United States many cow/calf producers in Elliott County are looking for alternatives to maintain and sustain their current beef cattle operations.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Elliott County cattle producers will decrease invasive weed populations in their pasture and hay fields by ten percent leading to a 30 day longer grazing period.
•  Elliott County cattle producers will increase their weaning weights by five percent and begin utilizing EPD's for genetic selection. 
• Elliott County cattle producers will begin incorporating Artificial Insemination into their breeding operation and begin developing their own replacement heifers. 
• Cattle producers will begin participating in the IRM program, BSE exam program, CPH-45 program, and participate in the East KY Hay contest to have there forages tested and begin balancing rations to meet cattle herd needs. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the CPH 45 sales will increase by five percent.
• Elliott County cattle producers will begin utilizing soil test to balance nutrients in their pasture and hay fields. 
• Elliott County cattle producers will begin evaluating their pasture land to increase their grazing days. 
• Elliott County cattle producers will begin submitting forages for testing during the East KY Hay contest.
• Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the IRM program will increase by five percent. 
• Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the BSE workshop will increase by five percent.
• Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the BQCA certification will increase by 10 percent. 
• Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association participation will increase by five percent.  

Initial Outcomes:

• Elliott County cattle producers will become Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) certified.
• Elliott County cattle producers will market calves through the CPH 45 program.
• Elliott County cattle producers will have BSE exams conducted on herd bulls before the breeding season. 
• Elliott County cattle producers will participate in the IRM program.
• Elliott County cattle producers will develop and adopt recommended vaccination programs and incorporate them into their operations. 

• Elliott County cattle producers will increase their overall knowledge of management, genetics, soil quality, forage quality and marketing. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: BQCA, Vaccination Programs, IRM Program, CPH 45 program, BSE program, increase overall knowledge of beef cattle 

Indicator: Number of BQCA certifications, increase in CPH 45, increase in IRM program, increase in East KY Hay Contest, increase in BSE exams, and word of mouth by local vets

Method: List of BQCA certifications from KCA, list of BSE exams from Morehead State University and EFCA Chairman, CPH sale paperwork that ag agents are required to sign and work with local vets, IRM program documents from KBN, Forage documents from KDA and Extension Forage Specialist 

Timeline: January thru December 

Intermediate Outcome: Increase participation in CPH 45 sales and IRM program, utilize soil test and forage testing

Indicator: CPH 45 sales, IRM participants, soil data reports and forage analysis reports all increase 

Method: CPH 45 sale documentation, IRM documentation, soil data analysis reports and forage analysis reports 

Timeline: March, April, September, October, November 

Long-term Outcome: Increase grazing period, weaning weights, forage quality, utilize EPD's, AI and BSE exams 

Indicator: Participation in Bull Value programs, AI schools, BSE program, East KY Hay Contest, CPH 45 sales and beef IRM program an multiple CAIP Education Programs  

Method: Host AI workshops, work with ABS genetics and Morehead State University, host BSE exams at Morehead State University (work with MSU farm manager, vet and EFCA chairman), promote IRM program and offer a MS/advanced Cattlemen programs 

Timeline: April, May, June, August, September, October and November 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Activity: Master Cattleman

Contents: Lectures and hands on demonstration 

Inputs: UK Specialist, Guest Speakers 

Date: October, November 2025

Audience : Elliott County Farmers

Activity: Herd Health Seminar 

Contents: Educational Powerpoint with live demonstration

Inputs: Intern 

Date: July 2025

 

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association 

Project or Activity: Annual Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations 

Inputs: UK Specialist and farmers

Date: September/October 2025

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Educational Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association, Kentucky Beef Network and Kentucky Cattlemen's Association  

Inputs: Guest Speakers, UKY Beef Cattle Specialist, UKY ANR agents 

Date: November, December, February and April 2024-2025

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: East KY Hay Contest 

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures

Inputs: Ag agents, UK Specialist, farmers/producers 

Date: July thru November 2025

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, farmers, Ag council members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: CAIP Education Programs 

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures

Date: August 2024 thru March 2025 

Success Stories