Author: Matthew Adams
Planning Unit: Hardin County CES
Major Program: Farm Management
Plan of Work: Integrated Livestock and Forage Systems
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Pasture and forage management is key to a profitable ruminant livestock operation. Darrell Simpson, Matt Adams, and Clay Stamm, Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Muhlenberg, Hardin, and Clark counties collaborated with Dr. Greg Halich, Agricultural Economist, Dr. Ray Smith and Dr. Chris Teutsch, Forage Specialists, and Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Beef Specialist from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment and Natural Resource and Conservation Service personnel Adam Jones from Kentucky and Greg Brann from Tennessee to conduct a train the trainer/facilitator program regarding management of pastures. Sixty one Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources and USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Services technicians and District Conservationists attended a day- long meeting in their respective region of the state to learn improved grazing practices, nutrient management, the impact of overgrazing and the importance of organic matter just to name a few. A survey was conducted following the three programs to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and ascertain additional needs to allow the University of Kentucky CAFE and USDA NRCS to work together more efficiently. A one to five scale with five being the highest was utilized to gauge the responses. Thirty one responses or 51 percent of the program participants responded to the online survey. Agents and NRCS personnel rated problems resulting from overstocking at 3.7. They rated methods they learned from the program to help alleviate overstocking at a 3.9. Utilizing grazing management to improve nutrient cycling was rated a 4.0. The program participants rated the topics of the importance of organic matter for increased nutrient availability and the importance of organic matter for increased water holding capacity at a 3.8 and a 3.7 respectively. The topics of potential nutrient value of various hay feeding methods and biological and economic targets for optimal number of hay feeding days were rated at a 3.8 and 4.0 respectively. When asked if there would be an interest in working on a demonstration farm with NRCS and Extension collaboration, agents and NRCS personnel rated it at a 3.9. Although this program was considered non - traditional; it appears that the targeted audience did learn new information. Ultimately, the value of the overall program was rated at a 4.0. Based on this initial outcome, Extension and NRCS may be able to work together on some common goals to help forage producers to be become better managers.
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