Describe the Issue or Situation.

Production from 280 million broiler chickens in Kentucky produced 1.8 billion pounds of meat in 2024 and generated $1.3 billion, placing the industry as the highest livestock enterprise that contributes to the state’s agricultural economy. Broiler production is highly energy intensive; fuel and electricity costs are the broiler grower’s largest variable expense. Records indicate that 20% to 30% of a grower’s gross income is used to pay the cost of heating, lighting, ventilation, and cooling.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

In 2024 agricultural engineers at UK led projects to help 14 farmers (including 6 poultry operations) identify potential energy saving improvements for their operations. At the same time, the USDA Rural Development and Kentucky Agricultural Development Board have made cost-share funds available annually for agricultural and rural energy efficiency improvements. Both programs required an energy assessment as part of the cost-share application. Cooperative Extension Service engineers from the UK Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department were asked to provide technical assistance in the form of energy assessments for potential program applicants. Since 2008, UK agricultural engineers have provided energy assessments for projects on over 500 farms (including dairy, grain and poultry) that have applied for cost-share funds from one or both of these available programs.This project has been a collaborative effort with USDA Rural Development (KY Office), KY Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, and private grant writers.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

These farms were in Barren, Daviess, Metcalfe, Monroe, Ohio, and Webster counties. Approximately 30% of the total project cost was supported by cost-share funds with growers contributing the remaining 70%.

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.

Proposed projects for the 6 poultry farms in 2024 requested a total of $20,907 (~$3500 per farm) and energy assessments showed that the total annual value of energy savings was $6240 per year (~$1040 per farm). The average simple payback for all projects was about 6 years before applying any cost-share assistance or tax credits.