Success StoryWeighing for Success



Weighing for Success

Author: Tad Campbell

Planning Unit: Mason County CES

Major Program: Beef

Plan of Work: Livestock Production

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Beef Production in Mason County is a major revenue to the livestock sector with nearly 25,000 head according to the 2015 agriculture statistics.  As the future of tobacco production looks bleak, more producers are focusing higher management levels to beef herds to increase on-farm income.   Over the last 6-7 years, the Mason County Extension Service has worked with producers to better antiquate beef production through weighing weaned calves and follow-up weighing before selling to see gains.   Producers are ultimately producing pounds in a commercial herd and by getting accurate weights of weanling calves, decisions on genetic selection, feed rations, breeding dates, and herd health can be made to help increase net profits of the operation.   In the beginning a couple of farms participated in the demonstration, however, now over 10 farms have weighed weaned calves to get data for decision making on their operation.  The demonstration made producers aware of the need for increased weaning weights to market more pounds for the operation.   The demonstration also allowed producers to cull cows that were consistently weaning smaller calves to be more efficient with overall herd costs.  Since the demonstration began, four producers have purchased scales for their farming operation to maintain a higher management for producing pounds while being able to use the scale as a tool to help make decisions on culling and herd performance.  The demonstration is popular among those participating with producers setting dates to weight calves prior to weaning and projected marketing dates.   Those producers have encouraged neighbors and other beef producers to become more aware of the pounds they produce and how using a scale can help with the efficiency of beef production in any size herd.






Stories by Tad Campbell


Water Conservation Field Day

about 10 months ago by Tad Campbell

Conserving water resources is a growing attribute to livestock farms in the area. The Mason County E... Read More


Farm Family Night

about 10 months ago by Tad Campbell

The Buffalo Trace Area Extension Services and Maysville Community and Technical College partnered to... Read More


Stories by Mason County CES


Water Conservation Field Day

about 10 months ago by Tad Campbell

Conserving water resources is a growing attribute to livestock farms in the area. The Mason County E... Read More


Farm Family Night

about 10 months ago by Tad Campbell

The Buffalo Trace Area Extension Services and Maysville Community and Technical College partnered to... Read More