Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving the Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability of Agriculture Operations
Agriculture Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability
Don Sorrell
Beef
Forages
Sustainable Agriculture
Farm Management
According to KY Agriculture Statistics and USDA Farm Census data, Campbell County has approximately 500 farms, averaging 84 acres. Approximately 75% of all Campbell County farming operations are livestock (mostly beef) and forages. Annual gross receipts is just over 8 million dollars while net farm income averages less than $5,000 per farm. With these thoughts in mind, Agriculture and Community leaders representing the CEC, Agriculture Council, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, County Cattle Association and Beef Association have identified a continued need to improve the sustainability and profitability of farming operations in Campbell County. Producers need to implement best management practices that will help them manage inputs, improve production and increase net farm profitability while improving the natural resources of the farm.
Campbell County farmers will show improved farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.
Campbell County farmers will begin to improve farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.
Farmers will learn how to improve their production, marketing and natural resource management practices that will help to enhance farm production, profitability and sustainability. Through the participation of education programs and hands-on learning opportunities, farmers will gain knowledge needed to implement these management practices.
Initial Outcome:
Individuals indicate that they gained knowledge and aspire to implement practices on their farm. Farmers will increase knowledge in improved management practices by participating in programs and field days.
Indicator:
Gain evidence 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 production and natural resources management practices.
Method: Program surveys, testimonials, observations, participation numbers
Timeline: All year, after programs
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Number of farmers indicating implementation of the best management and natural resources practices needed to increase farm productivity and profitability.
Method: Farm Visits, testimonials, mailed surveys
Timeline: all year, 3 to 6 months after programs,
Long-term Outcome: Farmers will become more productive, and profitable after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices needed to increase farm efficiency, productivity and profitability.
Indicator: Number of farmers indicating increased production, efficiency and profitability after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices.
Method: Post program surveys, farm visits, testimonials, number of implemented practices
Timeline: all year, surveys 6 to 12 months after programs.
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Implants, Fly Control and Parasite Control Program
Content: Health care program for selecting and using implants, fly control and de-worming products
Inputs: Ag agent, specialist(s)
Date: November 2017 or March 2018
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Managing Replacement Heifers
Content or Curriculum: Developing and Managing Replacement Heifers
Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents
Date: September, October 2017
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Cattle Marketing
Content or Curriculum: Beef Cattle Marketing Options
Inputs: UK Specialists, Stockyard speaker, Agent
Date: September, October 2017
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Cattle Handling Facilities Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Cattle Handling Facilities
Inputs: Producer Farms, Agent
Date: September, August 2017
Audience: Small Flock Poultry Producers
Project or Activity: Backyard Poultry Production
Content or Curriculum: Breeds, Nutrition, Health, Housing and Disease
Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents
Date: March 2018
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Bull Selection
Content or Curriculum: Using EPD's and Crossbreeding
Inputs: agents, specialists
Date: February 2018
Audience: Livestock/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Pastures Improvement Series
Content or Curriculum: Pasture Management/Master Grazer
Inputs: UK specialists, agents
Date: July 2017 - March 2018
Audience: Northern KY Farmers/Landowners
Project or Activity: Agritourism Program
Content or Curriculum: Opportunities in Agritourism, Getting started
Inputs: Specialists, KDA, Producers, agents
Date: November/December 2017
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: November/December 2017
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Project or Activity: CAIP/ Beginning Farmer Cost Share Programs
Content or Curriculum: CAIP/Beginning Farmer Grant Programs
Inputs: CAIP Guidelines, County Investment programs
Date: July, August 2017
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Activity: Soil Testing Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Soil Testing Program
Inputs: UK soil lab, soil test recommendations, agent
Date: July 2017 - June 2018
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Beef/Forage Tour
Content or Curriculum: Beef/Forage Production Practices
Inputs: Host farms, Cattle Association Board, Agent, Participants
Date: October 2017
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Twilight Beef Forage Tour
Content or Curriculum: Local Farm Tour, Warm Season Forages
Inputs: Campbell County Host Farms
Date: July, August 2017
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Bull Breeding Soundness Exam
Content or Curriculum: Bull BSE
Inputs: Producers, Veterinarians, Agent
Date: April 2018
Audience: Agriculture Council
Project or Activity: Ag Issues meetings
Content or Curriculum: program planning
Inputs: Ag leaders and Ag agent
Date: November, December 2017
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.
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Forages
During the fall of 2017, the Campbell County Agriculture Council identified the need for an in-depth program on pasture management. During a second meeting of the Ag Council, specific program topics were identified. These pasture management topics became the foundation for the spring 2018 Master Grazer (MG) Program. The ANR agent worked with UK Forage specialists to develop the PowerPoints for this four session program. The MG program was taught by the Campbell County ANR agent and include
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
After a very successful fall 2016 Homesteading and Farm Start program, and based on the program surveys, the request for additional financial support and direction was identified as a need by the beginning farmers. To address this need, the Campbell County ANR agent developed two programs to address opportunities for financial assistance: Ag Organizations and Beginning Farmer Grant Program.The Ag Organizations program was developed to give beginning farmers an opportunity to understand the
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Beef
For the past 4 years, Campbell County beef programs have focused on reproductive efficiency. This program has resulted in a significant increase in reproductive efficiency through the implementation of production practices such as MGA (feed additive) or CIDR’s (controlled internal drug releasing devices) to synchronize beef herds, replacement heifers and late calving cows. Continued use of blood testing has shown excellent pregnancy testing results.During the 2017-2018 Extension progr
