Union County CES

Title:

Beef Production, Marketing, and Other Animal Sciences

MAP:

Agriculture Production, Profit, and Management

Agents Involved:

ANR Agent, 4-H Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Situation:

Beef cattle account for 87.5% of the livestock inventory in Union County according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture by the USDA. Increased input costs have led to only those innovative managers making a viable profit. In order to increase profit, producers have to utilize new marketing strategies and techniques along with ensuring a quality feed. The same can be said for other livestock enterprises. Educating youth about innovative methods will lead to them being more successful down the road.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved farm economic status. Increased number of young livestock producers. Utilization of the futures or options market to limit downside of market risk. Sustainability of farm or herd.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Test forage for nutritional quality. Market cattle in large, uniform lots through county collaborations. Utilization of Extension recommended marketing process to make a change in management processes to better fit marketing strategies. Growth in participation in livestock clubs and shows for youth.

Initial Outcomes:

Recognition and knowledge of better forage production. Budgeting, record keeping, and marketing strategies. Effects of livestock and environmental interaction. Knowledge of best practices in general heard and livestock management. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Number of people who gained information on beef nutrition, animal health, genetics, reproduction, and/or facilities and equipment; Number of 4-H members who gained animal science knowledge.

Indicator: 1011.4, 1011.1, 1081.5, 1081.6, 4021.1

Method: Observation, survey, farm visit, consultation, livestock club participation and activities, 4-H record books.

Timeline: 6 months

Intermediate Outcome: Applied information from Extension to market cattle, use of futures marketing strategies to make decisions.

Indicator: 1011.1, 1011.2, 1072.1, 1072.3, 1072.4, 1072.6, 1072.7, 1072.10

Method: Survey

Timeline: 1 year

Long-term Outcome: Profitability and sustainability of livestock herd.

Indicator: 1011.3, 1082.4, 1082.6, 1081.7

Method: Local sales records, interviews, USDA records, producer survey

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Boots n Bridles club

Content or Curriculum: horse education curriculum

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, industry professionals, club leaders and volunteers

Date: August through May

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: UK Food Science

Inputs: hams, ham house, volunteers, club leaders

Date: Jan - Aug. 

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock club

Content or Curriculum: Livestock curriculum

Inputs: UK specialists and publications, industry professionals, club leaders and volunteers

Date: August through May

Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Educational meetings

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agribusinesses

Date: Winter/Summer

Project or Activity: BQA

Content or Curriculum: BQA manual

Inputs: BQA manual, UK publications and specialists

Date: Winter/Fall

Audience: Forage Producers, Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Hay/Forage testing

Content or Curriculum: UK publications and specialists

Inputs: UK Diagnostic Lab

Date: As needed

Success Stories

Union County Country Ham Project

Author: Annette Buckman

Major Program: Agriculture

Country Ham is a longstanding tradition deeply rooted in Kentucky’s history. This program provides youth with the opportunity to learn about livestock education while gaining hands-on experience curing two country hams.In 2024, the Union County 4-H Country Ham Project had 10 youth participants. Through a partnership with Webster and Henderson Counties, the program reaches even more youth across Kentucky. It was reintroduced to Union County in 2021, thanks to the dedication and support of R

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Union Co Hay Show

Author: Katie Hughes

Major Program: Forages

Describe the Issue or Situation.Each year the Union Co Extension Office host a hay show during the county fair for producers to bring in their hay to be tested by the state hay trailer. This is opened for not only Union co producers but also for Crittenden, Henderson and Webster county producers. People could bring in their hay and get samples put from it the day of the show or they could pull their own samples and bring to the office incase they were unable to attend the show. Describe the

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