The pressures of sustainability, high in put costs and reviewing practices of small cow calf operations, can help farmers be more efficient and profitable.  Kenton County ANR agent paired a local small beef operation with UK Beef IRM specialist team to be part of a local demonstration farm.  The participating farm worked with specialists in all areas of their farm.  Special emphasis included forage production, grazing plan, water development for their largest pasture, genetics, and calving.  The Beef IRM team and the ANR agent worked one-on-one with the farm family on each area to determine a two year plan of work and develop the strategy to accomplish these goals. The data and the changes made to the farm are to be included in state wide data as well as allowing field days for other farmers.

The Kenton County farm chosen held its initial farm field day in February 2024. There we 41 farm operators at this field day. The three primary topics covered were pregnancy checking, selecting good genetic stock, and weed control in pastures and hayfields. Based on early feedback from those attending, all of the participants found the farm field day topics very timely and very applicable on their own farms.   Four farmers called the Extension office for more information on bull selection, and two farmers were interested in learning more about the labs where they could submit blood samples for pregnancy checking their own cows.