Extension
It Starts With Us
Henry County Livestock Production
Livestock Production
Megan McCoun, Cathy Toole
Beef
Forages
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
According to the 2017 census, Henry County had a total over $14,000,000 in animal sales. With this being said, livestock and forage production systems are extremely important to Henry County's agricultural production.
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person in Kentucky is impacted by agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, work places and vehicles.
Improved farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Long term viability
Producers save money
Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
You will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food
systems.
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Test forage for nutritional quality
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Implement crossbreeding program
Make EPD and selection decisions
Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation
Implement use of multiple types of forages
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employ-ability.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products
Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Participants will obtain BQA certification
Participants become aware of forages, nutrition, breeding, health, end products, animal management, and economics and marketing
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Participants obtain BQA certification. Participants become aware of forages, nutrition, breeding, health, end products, animal management, and economics and marketing
Method: surveys before and after programs, and number of attendees to programs
Timeline: Summer and Fall of 2024 and Spring of 2025
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Individuals utilize more grazing systems and forages. Use more strigent reproduction selection, and increase veterinarian exams.
Method: Reports from NRCS, FSA, KDA, and local veterinarian offices. Surveys in the winter of 2020
Timeline: summer and fall 2024
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Farm become more profitable, health of animals increase, and improved farm economic status
Method: surveys in winter of 2020, reports from KDA about animal and forage sales, utilize reports from NRCS and FSA about use of programs, and utilize reports from local veterinarians
Timeline: fall 2024 and winter 2025
Initial Outcome: Regular participation by 4-H club members,learning about the basic care and feeding of animals.
Indicator: Animals are being well cared for and treated humanely.
Method: Observation by club leader. Sign in sheets listing participation.
Timeline: Fall 2024 to Summer 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Youth complete the 6 hours of required training.
Indicator: Youth are more knowledgeable about foods systems and more advanced in working with animals.
Method: Observation by club leader, attendance in workshops and training's outside club meetings. Youth become more involved in showing, judging and quiz bowl activities.
Timeline: Fall 2024 to Summer 2025
Long Term Outcome: Youth will be knowledgeable in selecting animals to purchase.
Indicator: Understand how to get the best nutrition for their animal, evaluate the animal for signs of sickness and determine when to call a vet for assistance. Be able to use their knowledge to enhance their income.
Method: Observation by leader, level of participation at state events, the number of animals purchased by the youth.
Timeline: Fall 2024 to summer 2025
Audience: Farmers, Owners, Veterinarians,
Project or Activity: Livestock nutrition seminars
Content or Curriculum: UK nutrition seminars
Inputs: UK specialist, KDA, Veterinarians
Date: Feb 2024
Audience: Farmers, Owners, Veterinarians,
Project or Activity: Feeding Distillers Bi-Products seminars
Content or Curriculum: UK nutrition seminars
Inputs: UK specialist, KDA, Veterinarians
Date: Feb 2024
Audience: Farmers, Owners, students
Project or Activity: Forage field days
Content or Curriculum: UK forage research
Inputs: Extension agents, Extension Specialist, NRCS
Date: May and June 2024
Audience: Farmers, Owners, Students, Veterinarians, NRCS, FSA
Project or Activity: Regional Beef Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK, NRCS, FSA, KDA research and information
Inputs: Extension Specialist, NRCS, FSA, KDA
Date: Oct 2024
Audience: Livestock Club Members
Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Livestock Club
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certified leader, financial support, facilities
Date: October-August 2025
Audience: Rabbit and Poultry Club Members
Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Club
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, training for leader, financial support
Date: October-August 2025
Audience: Horse Club Members
Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Horse Club
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certification for leader, financial support
Date: October- May 2025
Audience: Country Ham Project Members
Project: Curing a Country Ham
Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certification for leader, built a ham house on site.
Date: January - August 2025
Author: Megan Wetenkamp
Major Program: Beef
Henry County, Kentucky is home to around 23,000 beef animals. The efforts of Henry County Agriculture Extension has successfully shifted focus to reflect the high number of beef operations. Henry County producers have shown a great interest in practical educational opportunity. This is demonstrated by the surprisingly high participation in summer field days. For the past three years, the Henry County Extension Office and Henry County Cattlemen’s Association have partnered on a June field d
