Metcalfe County CES

Title:

Livestock

MAP:

Ag Awareness, Production and Marketing

Agents Involved:

Bell, Branstetter

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Dairy

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Situation:

Metcalfe County is home to 30,500 head of cattle.  While milk cows do make up a small percentage of this number, 93 percent are beef cows and calves. Cattle prices have continued to decline at a rapid pace since the fall of 2015.  In some cases, weaned calves may bring as much as $550 per head less than they would have less than a year ago. This represents a 40 percent decline in price.  Now, more than ever, producers must make management decisions that will allow them to continue to realize a profit.  Adding as much value to calves and marketing them in a manner that will allow them to receive top dollar is a must.  Input costs must be managed so that they are as low as possible, without compromising production and quality.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Livestock producers will be able to remain profitable and sustain their operations during a depressed market.  They will increase efficiency, decrease cost and realize a profit.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Livestock producers will implement practices that will allow them to effectively market a quality product while managing input costs.These practices could lead to better herd health, better soil health, better feed efficiency and a marketing plan tailored to their individual need.

Initial Outcomes:

Livestock producers will learn ways to improve many aspects of their operation that will allow them to produce a quality product at a lower cost in order to stay successful.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Knowledge Gained

Method: Survey

Timeline: Quarterly/ Throughout Year

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Changes Made

Method:Survey

Timeline: Quarterly/ Throughout Year

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:

Method:

Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock Producers

    Project or Activity: Educational sessions at cattlemen’s meetings.

    Content or Curriculum: UK publications and research

    Inputs: Agents, Specialists

    Date: Quarterly

Audience: Livestock Producers

    Project or Activity: BQA Trainings

    Content or Curriculum: BQA Curriculum 

    Inputs: Agents, BQA Materials

    Date: As needed throughout the year

Audience: 4-H Youth
     Project or Activity: One day horse clinic 
     Content or Curriculum: 4-H horse materials 
     Inputs: Agents, Vet and Volunteers 
     Date: Fall

Audience: 4-H Youth 
    Project or Activity: One day Clinics 
    Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock materials, Fitting and Showing 
     Inputs: Agents, Specialist, and Volunteers 
    Date: May, June, July

Audience: 4-H Youth 

     Project or Activity: Judging Teams

    Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock materials, Fitting and Showing 

    Inputs: Agents, Specialist, and Volunteers 

    Date: on going

Audience: 4-H Youth  
    Project or Activity: County Ham Project
    Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and Clifty Farms
    Inputs: Agents, Staff Support, Community Partners, Ag Development      

    Grant Committee, Clifty Farm Staff, State Specialist and Teachers 
    Date: November 2017, March, May, July, August 2018