Integrated Resource Management Farm Program

The Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Farm Program is a project-based educational program designed to demonstrate beef production practices and a record keeping system that improve production efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and profitability of a beef cow-calf operation.  The long-term goal is to adjust management and facilities to improve the production efficiency of the cow-calf operation.  Farm visits and survey information are used to determine the current management practices and the goals of the operation.  Deficiencies in management practices regarding health, nutrition and mineral programs are identified.  The genetic plan for the herd is evaluated based upon the marketing and environmental resources available.  Reproductive performance (length of the calving season, calving rate, pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed) is determined.  Finally, facilities for environmentally sound water handling, mud control, and cattle handling are evaluated.  Every aspect of cow-calf production is evaluated so that management can be adjusted to maximize the efficiency of production.  

In February 2017, The Webster County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent and Green River Area Kentucky Beef Network Facilitator met with Olson Farms, a cow/calf operation in Webster County, KY.  The operation had nearly two-hundred acres of grass, seventeen cows, and only five calves due to health issues with the bull.  A plan was developed on paper, to begin working calves, identify calves with ear tags, recording birthdates and matching cows and calves by recording calves tag number with cows. The plan included taking three weights per year on the calves, and weaning and backgrounding calves and selling in the Green River CPH-45 sales.  The plan outlined working the cows twice yearly for timely vaccinations, deworming, Body Condition Scores and pregnancy checks.  The plan also included synchronizing the cows to stay within a sixty day calving period and eighty percent calving rate in the first thirty days.   The long-term goal was also to increase cow herd to utilize the grass available.  Small changes were outlined to improve the working facilities to make facilities more user-friendly and efficient and safer for the cows and the handlers.

On March 31^st, 2017, the cows and calves were worked for the first time in the program.  Cows and calves were vaccinated, cows were pregnancy checked and all open cows were culled.  Detailed plan was developed for managing herd bull to begin synchronizing cows.   Since 2017, pasture improvements have been made through proper fertilization, forage selection, intensive rotational grazing systems.  Summer annuals were added to extend the grazing season and evaluate different forages species.  

Olson Farms is currently in its third calf crop under the Beef IRM program.  The cow herd has increased from seventeen cows to twenty-eight cows over the past three years.  They purchased high-end open cows at cheaper prices during a market downturn to add to existing herd.  Open cows have been culled to decrease cost of production.  Calving rate stayed within sixty days and have maintained 80% calving rate in the first thirty days.  Five calves were sold in 2017 as yearlings.  Seventeen weaned calves were sold in 2018 in Green River CPH-45 sale with an average daily gain of 3.12 pounds.  Twenty-three weaned calves were sold in 2019 Green River CPH-45 sale with an average daily gain of 3.47 pounds.  Under the Beef IRM management, the pay weights have increased while selling younger calves rather than yearlings; therefore, the cost of production has decreased.  Under the IRM program, the conceptions rates have been above 90% which is higher than the state average.  By utilizing weights and measures, improved herd health, establishing a veterinarian/client relationship, improved feeding and recordkeeping, the bottom line profits have increased.  The operation is working toward the goal of fifty cows.  As a result of this program, the next generation (the children)  have purchased two bred heifers to start their own herd.  They are following the same management plan.

In the words of the producers, “Both Vicki and Ben have been physically involved at every step.  Our physical layout is improving as are our records.   We now know and understand when and why to use a vet…when and why to move your bull in and out of your herd, when to wean calves, when and how much to feed them for maximum weight gain, the importance of CPH sale…the list goes on and on.”