Success StoryMaster Hay Maker



Master Hay Maker

Author: Tad Campbell

Planning Unit: Mason County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Crop Production

Outcome: Initial Outcome

With the Buffalo Trace counties representing a large portion of rural area, forage production plays a vital role for agriculture across the five counties.   With one of the largest alfalfa producing counties in the state along with high ranking grass hay production, offering a program to focus on improving forage quality would benefit local producers and agriculture operations in the Buffalo Trace Counties.  The area Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents worked with specialist, agents, and local producers to develop and implement a program to offer education on improved forage quality and stored feed sources.  Thirty area producers registered for the six session program that covered forage topics of Soil Fertility, Machinery, Cool/Warm Season Grasses, Storing Forages, Weed Control, and Marketing.   Those registrants represent 10,369 acres across the area with a total of 5,412 acres of forages for focused improvements.  The group has had positive comments about the educational program and will be completing a survey to see planned improvements for their operations.  With only 30% of the participants using weed control methods for hay production, improvements are possible with discussions from those in attendance.  The program offered many facets to those that utilize hay as part of their livestock operation as well as those that produce forages for cash sales for other livestock operations.  






Stories by Tad Campbell


Facilities Making Profit

about 5 years ago by Tad Campbell

With beef cattle production being the major livestock industry in Mason County and tobacco productio... Read More


Weighing for Success

about 5 years ago by Tad Campbell

Beef Production in Mason County is a major revenue to the livestock sector with nearly 25,000 head a... Read More


Stories by Mason County CES


4-H Babysitting Basics

4-H Babysitting Basics

about 5 years ago by Mary Jane Little

Research shows 4-H Youth Excel Beyond their Peers The longitudinal study discovered that the structu... Read More


4-H Teen Conference

4-H Teen Conference

about 5 years ago by Mary Jane Little

Through the 94th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference, 4-Hers from across the Commonwealth developed ... Read More


Stories by Forages


Utilizing Unconventional Forages for Beef Health and Profitability

Utilizing Unconventional Forages for Beef Health and Profitability

about 5 years ago by Whitney Carman

Fescue has been the most consistent forage for hay and pasture in Grayson County. Some people will c... Read More


Establishing and Grazing Native Grasses on Reclaimed MIne Lands in Eastern Kentucky while Monitoring Wildlife Habiatat

Establishing and Grazing Native Grasses on Reclaimed MIne Lands in Eastern Kentucky while Monitoring Wildlife Habiatat

about 5 years ago by Thomas Keene

In order for people in eastern Kentucky to have and maintain economic stability (now that coal produ... Read More