The IRM Farm Program is a project-based educational program designed to demonstrate beef production practices and a record keeping system that will improve production efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and profitability of a beef cow-calf operation. Examples of measurable impacts on three farms in western KY are summarized.

Grayson County - Three Grayson County producers were brought into the system in 2017 to be a part of the program, representing 51 cows, 36 being commercial, and 15 being purebred Charloais. Producers were grouped into spring calving herds (27cows) and fall calving herds (24 cows). Each of the three producers were part time producers. Producers worked with the county agent and beef specialists to determine which sires they would use based on genetic potential and current maternal traits. In June 2017, beef specialists incorporated estrus synchronization and a timed artificial insemination (ESAI) approach, which was the first time for two of the producers in the program.

The results for the first calf crop from the spring calving program were promising. Calving interval decreased by 10 days compared to prior years, with 88% of calves being born via ESAI. The average weaning weight of ESAI heifers, steers, and bulls were 89, 60, and 44 pounds heavier, respectively than those born to natural sires.

Muhlenberg County - The initial consultation with the producer in 2017 revealed that several factors were contributing to the limited success of the beef business. Stocking rate was too high and both a spring and fall calving season were being utilized resulting in limited pasture management. Limited culling was occurring with open and late calving cows. Hay was being fed in one sacrifice field for nearly 140 days of the year resulting in it having limited production the remainder of the year. Nearly a third of the 350 round bales of hay being fed were being purchased or produced offsite. Changes recommended included reducing the number of brood cows and replacement heifers, utilizing estrus synchronization, utilization of a single calving season, utilization of cool and warm season annuals and perennials, and improved rotational grazing.

The cow herd was reduced in size and a transition to a fall calving season began.  Stock water was further developed in pastures to allow more rotational grazing and forage management.  Summer annuals were sowed on heavy use winter feeding areas to allow cool season pastures to rest during the summer slump.

The program cooperator commented in September of 2018, “I have never had this much grass at this time of the year”. When asked about the amount of hay he had purchased for the 2018-2019 winter, the producer said that he had only purchased six bales of hay. He commented that his cows look better this winter than they ever had. When asked if he had saved any money due to the practices that he learned, he said “yes on several fronts”.This project will continue with more measurable data gathered as the management plan is completely implemented.

Trigg County – A weaning and preconditioning project was implemented on a producer’s farm in Trigg County in the early spring of 2018.  This producer had historically sold calves directly off the cow and with pay weights in the 350-400 lb. range.  The goal of this project was to educate the producer on the benefits of proper weaning management and balanced rations for lightweight calves.

Calves were held in a drylot for several days after weaning and trained to electric polywire fences.After this period they were given access to pasture while being hand fed supplement.  The calves were preconditioned for 90 days and sold in the CPH-45 sale at Guthrie, KY.  The calves weighed nearly 200 lbs. more than calves that had been sold at the beginning of the project.  The project calves also sold for $.30/lb. more than the non-project calves resulting in a gross increase in value of nearly $366 per head.