1072 - Forages | ||
---|---|---|
1072.7) | 1 |
Number of producers who planted or started using any alternative forage for grazing |
1072.5) | 0 |
Number of producers who used temporary fencing |
1072.4) | 0 |
Number of producers who developed or implemented a grazing plan |
1072.3) | 4 |
Number of producers who used Extension recommendations to improve quality of haylage/silage storage |
1072.2) | 6 |
Number of people who made decisions based on Extension research including interseeding clover/legume, using cover crops and/or alternate forage species |
1072.1) | 26 |
Number of people who gained knowledge of forage production, management and/or profitability which could include species, best management practices for species, forage harvest and storage, pasture renovation |
1072.6) | 0 |
Number of producers who conducted on-farm demonstrations or applied research trials |
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Forages
Producing quality stored forage is essential for optimum livestock nutrition. After poor hay quality was cited in a number of livestock deaths in early 2020, county extension agents in several eastern Kentucky counties banded together to offer the Master Haymaker program. The seven-session series was offered in early 2021 and provided education on topics ranging from species selection to harvesting techniques. Seven Johnson County farms participated in the series, with most joining the sessions
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Forages
Proper nutrition of livestock relies on understanding the content of the feedstuffs being provided to the animals. Grains and protein supplements have a consistent and regulated composition, but hay varies dramatically based on factors such as species, time of harvest, curing conditions, and handling. To help farmers fill in the final piece of their ration puzzles, counties in the eastern region of Kentucky banded together in the late 1990's to conduct the East Kentucky Hay Contest. The even