Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Enhancing Beef Production

Author: Patrick Hardesty

Major Program: Beef

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, Murakami employee appreciation, Bluegrass Stockyards customer appreciation, Chamber of Commerce luncheon, American Dairy Association District Meetin

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Master Cattlemen Program

Author: Adam Huber

Major Program: Beef

According to the 2023 state Agriculture overview published by the National Agriculture Statistics Service, Kentucky is home to over 1.8 million head of cows and calves.  This sector of the Ag industry in Kentucky is responsible for $1.08 Billion in Agriculture Revenue, according to the 2022 Ag statistics.  Recently, livestock prices are trending very well for producers, which in turn is driving the desire to produce a better, more efficient product.   Agriculture Agents from Allen

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Back to Basics Beef Program in Lyon County

Author: Jay Stone

Major Program: Beef

The UK Extension Back to Basics Beef Production program was initiated to support and guide beef producers in implementing fundamental practices to improve production efficiency and profitability. The program focuses on educating producers about key aspects of beef production, including nutrition, genetics, health, and management. This program is being offered regionally Statewide and is supported in part by funding provided by the Kentucky Department of Ag Policy. Since the program's la

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Managing Feeding Issues When Utilizing Co and By Products for Beef Cattle

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or Situation. Due to the increased number of distilleries and grain crops in the area,beef cattle farmers have access to co and byproducts from these industries. However; feed intake and potential mortality of the animals can result if fed incorrectly or inconsistently.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). The Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Service Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources hosted an educationa

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4-H Show Cattle program

Author: Steven Mobley

Major Program: Beef

Laurel County Extension agents identified a need for increased youth participation in showing livestock at the annual Laurel County Agricultural Fair. Despite strong agricultural roots in the region, youth involvement in livestock programs had been dwindling. To address this, Glenn Williams (ANR Agent) and Steve Mobley (Horticulture Agent) collaborated with Elizabeth Easley (4-H Agent) and the North and South Laurel FFA Advisors to develop a comprehensive livestock training and preparation progr

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Bull Evaluation success

Author: Adam Barnes

Major Program: Beef

Success Story: Bull Evaluation Series Empowers Livingston County FarmersLivingston County, located in western Kentucky, is home to a thriving agricultural community where cattle farming plays a vital role in the local economy. Recognizing the need for enhanced skills in bull evaluation, Livingston County ANR partnered with neighboring counties—McCracken, Marshall, Graves, and Calloway—to host a two-night Bull Evaluation Series. State specialists Dr. Darrh Bullock and Dr. Katie VanVal

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Cattlemen's Meeting/CAIP training

Author: Jessica James

Major Program: Beef

There was a need in the county for educational hours for CAIP (County Agriculture Improvement Program) applications. It is required that applicants receive educational hours to apply for Cost Share. This educational program covered topics in the beef industry including cattle handling and how to raise cattle in small confinement operations. Two different UK beef specialists discussed these topics with producers. This program was well attended and a lot of questions were asked by producers. The t

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Group Purchasing Mineral Program

Author: Glen Roberts

Major Program: Beef

Collaborators: UK Beef IRM Nutrition Specialists, KY Farm Bureau Federation, Wayne County Farm Bureau Federation, ANR Agent Glen Roberts, KSU Small Farm Assistant, and Wayne County Cattlemen`s Association mineral committeeSituation: After attending Master Cattlemen and other beef nutrition educational sessions taught by University of KY Beef nutrition specialists Wayne County Cattlemen became aware of the need to purchase better minerals for their cowherds. They also learned that they could save

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Cattlemen's Annual Meeting Educational Program

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Beef

Cattlemen's Annual Meeting Educational Program

Issue or SituationDuring previous educational meetings, capacity limitations of the extension meeting space created an uncomfortable environment for participants, with overcrowded seating and poor conditions for effective learning. This restricted interaction and reduced the overall quality of the educational experience, making it difficult for attendees to engage fully with the material.Outreach or Educational Program ResponseTo address the issue of overcrowding and improve the learning environ

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Cattlemen's Educational Beef Tour

Author: Andy Mills

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or Situation.The Meade County Cattlemen's Association ask this ANR agent to help them plan a 3 day educational tour centered around beef cattle production.  After having a discussion with the educational trip committee, it was decided to travel south in November when most of the grain harvest was complete and just prior to breeding season for fall calving cow calf producers.  From other people experiences, 2 places a farm and a town, were the center of the tour.

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Lake Cumberland Cattle Reproduction Series

Author: Kelsey Marcum

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or SituationIn rural areas of Kentucky, farmers face significant challenges in managing cattle reproduction. Limited access to large animal veterinarians and veterinary supplies hinders the ability to utilize modern reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination (A.I.) and on-site pregnancy checks. Many farmers are constrained by time and financial resources, making implementing these essential practices that could improve herd productivity and overall farm profita

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Beef Production

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or Situation.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

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Interpreting EPDs and Making Genetic Decisions in Beef Cattle

Author: Allison Tucker

Major Program: Beef

Genetics are critical in a herd, along with other factors such as environment and nutrition. Making genetic decisions, such as determining which bulls to breed to the females, which heifers to keep as replacements, and which cows to cull are all genetic decisions that will impact the overall health and quality of your herd.This past fall I got to work with a producer in the county via farm visits and phone calls to help them navigate how to improve their herd through looking at different expecte

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Beef Production Field Day

Author: Colby Guffey

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or Situation.A Beef field day was scheduled for local producers on the topics of cow size as it relates to cow efficiency and herd health as indicated by producer calls and questions throughout the year. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).In collaboration with Clinton County Extension Service and the Twin Lakes Cattle Association a beef field day was held at the Springhaven Farms in Albany.The beef production field day on t

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Wilderness Trail Area Bull Evaluation Program

Author: Robert Kirby

Major Program: Beef

The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents developed a series of hands-on beef programs over the last year, including marketing, predator control, reproduction, and beef quality assurance.  The most recent program was a collaboration between specialists and agents called the Bull Value Assessment Program.  This is a two-week program where producers learn how to read EPDs of bulls and apply them to real-world situations in the first week.  In the second week, they are given a cattle mana

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Master Cattlemen for West Regional Zone 8

Author: Jacob Hall

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or Situation.According to the 2023 state Agriculture overview published by the National Agriculture Statistics Service, Kentucky is home to over 1.8 million head of cows and calves. This sector of the Ag industry in Kentucky is responsible for $1.08 Billion in Agriculture Revenue, according to the 2022 Ag statistics. Recently, livestock prices are trending very well for producers, which in turn is driving the desire to produce a better, more efficient product. Agriculture Agen

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Multi-County Bull Value Assessment Program

Author: Gracey Moffitt

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or Situation.For a beef producer, their income is dependent on the livestock that they raise. So, if the cattle that they purchase at the local auction doesn't end up fitting their operation type or objectives, then they are at more of a loss. To mitigate these issues before buying a bull or heifer, there have been tools developed through research to help accurately select livestock for your operation. This idea of using selection tools is still relatively new to many farm

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Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) Certification for High School Students

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Beef

Describe the Issue or SituationIn an era where consumer confidence in agricultural products hinges on transparency and best practices, training future agricultural professionals in Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) is critical. BQCA certification equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the quality, safety, and marketability of beef while fostering responsible cattle handling and care. For high school agriculture students, obtaining this certification also enhances

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment