Author: Joshua Jackson
Major Program: Beef
Farming, an inherently resource-strapped endeavor, demands access to educational materials that promote safety, functionality, and economic viability in an approachable manner. In recent years, Kentucky beef producers have faced immense economic pressures, resulting in a decline in cow numbers to their lowest level since 1968. However, resilient producers within the cattle industry have proactively sought to handle their cattle more effectively. I have worked with these producers to develop site
Author: Carol Hinton
The problem producers across the state treat their cattle with dewormers without a thought of 'do I need to deworm', or do I set it on 'automatic' and deworm each time they go through the chute. In the beginning, I said our county would be willing to participate. Farms were chosen and the pursuit was on to collect samples for the FECRT. Of course keeping up with the vaccination and cattle working schedule and then to come back to the farm in 14 days to collect f
Author: Morgan Hayes
Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katie VanValin, Michelle Arnold, Jimmy Henning, Kenny Burdine, Morgan HayesThe second Kentucky backgrounding short course was held December 15 & 16, 2022 at the University of Kentucky C. Oran Little Agriculture Research Center Beef Unit. The program enrollment was 26 individuals and levels of experience varied greatly among the group. The backgrounding short course involved 10 different speakers covering a diverse range of subject matter that inclu
Author: Gregory Comer
The problemFeeding beef cows is a major cost to producers, usually 50-70% of maintaining the animals. Utilizing efficient hay feeding systems can reduce the amount of time a producer spends making hay bales available to animals. The educational program responseTo address this issue, the Ohio Co. Extension Service coordinated with Dr. Steve Higgins, U.K. Ag Engineering, who has developed more efficient hay feeding systems at the Eden Shale Farm. Dr. Higgins visited Ohio Co. to discuss
Author: Jimmy Henning
2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short Course Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katie VanValin, Michelle Arnold, Jimmy Henning, Kenny Burdine, Morgan HayesThe second Kentucky backgrounding short course was held December 15 & 16, 2022 at the University of Kentucky C. Oran Little Agriculture Research Center Beef Unit. The program enrollment was 26 individuals and levels of experience varied greatly among the group. The backgrounding short course involved 10 different speakers covering a d
Author: Leslie Anderson
Some cattle producers strive for complete control of their genetic program and production efficiency. The easiest method for complete control is to incorporate a program designed for all females to conceive to AI (total AI program). The main limiting factor to total AI is labor associated with daily heat detection, cattle handling, and insemination. Electronic systems for estrus detection have been available for many years in the dairy industry. Until recently, these systems were often not appli
Cattle producers have long desired the ability to control the gender or their calf crop. For commercial cattlemen, steers are simply more valuable than heifers and more steers means more potential revenue. Sex-sorted semen has been available for use in artificial insemination (AI) for about 10 years but the conception rate to AI was greatly reduced reducing the profit potential for most cattle producers. Recent developments have resulted in increased conception rate to AI of sex-sorted semen ope
The University of Kentucky Beef Integrated Reproductive Management (Beef IRM) team developed a multi-disciplinary program to help cattlemen adopt production practices that improve productivity and profitability. Hamilton Farms has been a part of the UK Farm Program since 2015. Mr. Hamilton resides in Bracken County and runs a small herd of Limousin-influenced cattle. Under the direction of Extension, Mr. Hamilton completely changed his entire beef/forage production system. These changes dou
Author: Patrick Hardesty
With approximately 12,000 beef cows, beef cattle income ranks second in the county. To improve profits and sustainability, beef educational meetings were conducted in cooperation with the Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association. To promote beef in the county, the Association cooked at the C & S, Mission Store customer appreciation, Juneteenth celebration, Murakami employee appreciation, Kentucky Christian School fundraiser, Bluegrass Stockyards customer appreciation, Chamber o
Author: Keenan Bishop
The problemThe educational program responseThe participants/target audienceOther partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response.
Author: Kendal Bowman
“With 895,000 head of beef cattle in the commonwealth, Kentucky remains the state with the largest beef inventory east of the Mississippi River,” Commissioner Quarles said. The average cow herd is around 30 head with farmers having an average of 2 bulls. But there is an issue, in rural communities across the nation, there is a large animal veterinarian shortage. The Franklin, Henry, Shelby, and Owen County agriculture and natural resources agents partnered t
Author: Sarah Fannin
Farming operations are experiencing rising costs and lower returns. Welcoming new farmers and continuing diversification efforts are crucial to the success of rural economies. The Morgan County Agricultural Comprehensive Plan identifies educational programs which strengthen cattle and forage production, promote new marketing strategies, and assist beginning farmers as those classes most needed. The Ky/Morgan County Agricultural Development Fund helps farmers to implement recomme
Author: Michelle Simon
Today’s state of economy has really made producers put their pencil to paper and delve into thinking about where their money is going and what operating costs can or need to be tweaked. Since the two main commodities in Campbell County are beef cattle and forages, the ANR Agent utilized several different programs and approaches to appeal to producers and hammer home the key points to become more efficient and competitive in the market. The Beef Efficiency Strategies program was host to 31
Author: Kevin Laurent
The Mid-South Stocker Conference (MSSC) is a multi-state effort bringing together specialists and extension agents in both Kentucky and Tennessee to provide an educational meeting for cattle producers focused on stocker and backgrounding cattle. The meeting rotates annually between Kentucky and Tennessee. The 2023 MSSC was held in Bowling Green, KY on February 21st and 22nd. The attendance for the 2023 meeting was approximately 120 individuals, from at least 4 states. The theme of the meeting wa
Author: Katherine VanValin
Mid-South Stocker Conference 2023 The Mid-South Stocker Conference (MSSC) is a multi-state effort bringing together specialists and extension agents in both Kentucky and Tennessee to provide an educational meeting for cattle producers focused on stocker and backgrounding cattle. The meeting rotates annually between Kentucky and Tennessee. The 2023 MSSC was held in Bowling Green, KY on February 21st and 22nd. The attendance for the 2023 meeting was approximately 120 individuals, from at leas
Author: Rebecca Konopka
According to the 2022 Ag Census there are over 10,000 head of cattle in Carter County, making beef cattle one of the largest agriculture commodities in the county. Over the past year, the Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent for Carter County reached beef producers via programs, newsletters, farm visits and personal communications. Programs included six Northeast Area Livestock Association meetings, Farm & Family Field Day, Beef Palpation Clinic, Eden Shale Farm Tour, and Beef Qualit
Author: Robert Kirby
Following two years of COVID and still seeing a need for more education for cattle farmers in the tri-state region agents from Harlan, Bell and Knox Counties, Kentucky: Lee, Wise, and Scott Counties, VA: and Claiborne and Hancock Counties, TN held in the fifth Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference. The goal was to address the needs and to update cattle farmers on economics of fertilizer, feeding byproducts, Theileria and Asian longhorn tick and four hands
Author: Ricky Arnett
Green County is the home of 20,200 beef cows (KY NASS) which contribute over $13.5 million to the local economy. (USDA Ag Census 2017). With a cow to bull ratio of 25:1 and a useful life of a bull averaging 4 years, Green County beef farmers purchase nearly 200 bulls each year. 75% of the genetics of retained heifers can be traced to the bulls farmers have used in the past five years. Therefore the importance of bull selection goes far beyond just a few calf crops. Agricu
