Success StoryForage Management is Key to a Profitble Beef Business



Forage Management is Key to a Profitble Beef Business

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Planning for the Family and Farm

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Feed is the number one cost associated with producing beef cattle. Therefore; forage management is a key component to reducing that cost. This agent and Curtis Dame, Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins County hosted a farm tour in September 2018. Thirteen producers participated in the evening tour and gained information regarding the body condition scores of cows, brood cow management, utilizing hay testing to determine nutritional value. They also gained information regarding the utilization of technology to identify soil types in the farm fields and historical precipitation data as well as an overview of a warm season forages demonstration plot. Tour participants also received information regarding past management practices utilized by the farm owner as well as new management practices being utilized due to cooperating with University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment agents and specialists. A survey was conducted immediately after the tour. Seven program participants responded to the survey. When asked how helpful the topics were to them, six producers responded very helpful and one responded helpful. When asked if the information was relevant to their needs as forage and beef producers, all seven producers said that the information was relevant. Information that producers said would  be utilized included hay testing, rotational grazing, and utilization of warm season forage species to name a few.  One tour participant has already made plans to seed and graze an improved crabgrass for the summer of 2019. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment Cooperative Extension helps to educate people and make their lives better.   






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