Success StoryInsurance for 2020 calf crop



Insurance for 2020 calf crop

Author: Chris Ammerman

Planning Unit: Grant County CES

Major Program: Beef

Plan of Work: Enhancing Farm Production

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Cattle producers take principles and practices taught in extension workshops and make application on the farm.   Comprehension and application of those changes impact the prices they receive for their products.  A drastic disparity has developed as producers have made application of practices without understanding implications on their commodity. An effort to draw market correlations was developed and implemented by the Extension Agent for Agriculture in Grant Counties.  The agent coordinated with a local veterinarian and hosted a Breeding Soundness Evaluation for herd sires.  Producers were attended a series of educational sessions on nutrition, evaluation and selection strategies for herd sires.  

Through participation in the programs producers understand that by having this procedure performed on their breeding sires that they are partially insuring the farm's production crop for the following year.  

In 2019, 37 herd sires that have been tested for duty this year were expected to cover 1480 breeding females.   Based on current calf prices of $800 per head the potential loss for the county's beef producers was $1,184,000.00.   Five of the animals tested were not considered duty fit as a result the farmer can replace these animals and know that they will get their females bred and ensure the returns of a calf crop in 2020. A follow-up assessment was completed by the producers completing the series and examination.  Participants reported that 100% would make informed choices as to the size of their cattle production enterprise from information presented.  Additionally, 85% had implemented at least one of the principles discussed in their choices for selecting a herd sire.    Respondents also indicated a greater need for marketing opportunities for utilizing similar genetics.   All participants indicated that they will continue to have bulls examined and vaccinated prior to the breeding season.






Stories by Chris Ammerman


Investments in Agriculture replace lost tobacco income

about 2 years ago by Chris Ammerman

The scope of agriculture in Grant County has evolved over the past 20 years. Burley tobacco producti... Read More


School Garden grows success for young students

about 2 years ago by Chris Ammerman

All students in the Grant County School District qualify for the USDA school lunch program. Over the... Read More


Stories by Grant County CES


Cooking Wild with Kentucky Wild Game

Cooking Wild with Kentucky Wild Game

about 2 years ago by Ari Veach

Hunting is a popular activity for people to do with their kids here in the state. With Kentuckys vas... Read More


Babysitting Made Easy

Babysitting Made Easy

about 2 years ago by Ari Veach

Babysitting made easy for all! What an amazing two days we had at the extension office with Babysitt... Read More