Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef Cattle Production
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Jerry Brown
Beef
There are over 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 and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high prices it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.
Improved public animal handling image
Improved animal welfare
Improved marketing opportunities
Utilize basic principles of dystocia and manage to avoid it
Use proper cattle handling and movement techniques
Construct a cattle handling facility
Utilize proper euthanasia techniques
Use proper transportation practices
Reduce the use of electronic prods, pipes, and sticks for moving animals
Calculate and properly time for castration and dehorning to minimize animal stress
Utilize body condition scoring to manage nutrition of animals
Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.
Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.
Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: increase in the profitability of beef operations
Method: year-end survey of cattle association members
Timeline: January 2018
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: increase use of recommended beef production practices
Method: year-end survey of cattle association members
Timeline: January 2018
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: increase knowledge of recommended beef production practices
Method: end of class surveys
Timeline: throughout the year
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Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: Cattle Handling and Welfare Certification Program
Content or Curriculum: video, live presentations, & online courses
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: November 2017
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)
Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) videotape, handout publication.
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: November 2017
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: . Beef Cattle Genetic Improvement Program
Content or Curriculum: Program developed by Agent and Specialists
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: September 2017
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Beef
Scott ANR Agent partnered with Scott County High School Agriculture department to educate advanced animal science students on ruminant care, nutrition, and management while training them to become certified in Beef Quality Assurance and Cattle Handling & Care. These students would have the opportunity to “test out” of introductory animal science classes at the collegiate level due to the AP test. If they did, they would not have the opportunity and experience of dissecting rumina
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Beef
The Mexican vulture, commonly referred to as the black-headed buzzard, is a species of migratory birds that are protected by federal legislation. This species of vultures are predacious and have caused detrimental loss to farmers in Kentucky by preying on newborn or weakened calves, lambs, and other types of livestock. This has presented a difficult challenge for farmers to protect their livestock from these vultures since they are protected by federal law and they cannot eliminate problem birds
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Farm Management
The Boone County Nature Center is one of Boone County’s treasures- this property and facility is used by many Boone County Extension programs and promotes a variety of educational opportunities for the community. The Nature Center is home to a large demonstration garden and orchard in addition to an abundant wildlife population; this combination can be detrimental to the garden and orchard. In response to this situation, a fence needed to be constructed to prevent wildlife from entering th
