Success StoryUtilizing Warm Season Forages to Increase Profits



Utilizing Warm Season Forages to Increase Profits

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Planning for the Family and Farm

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Forage production and management are key to low cost cattle production. This agent worked with Dr. Chris Teutsch, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment Forage Specialist to demonstrate the utilization of warm season annuals and perennials. That demonstration showed producers that they could increase both stocking rates and weight gain in their beef herd.  A field day was utilized to highlight the demonstration and to provide beef cattle producers information that would enhance their knowledge. After attending the field day, one producer contacted me about seeding crabgrass and lespedeza on the sacrifice field that he feeds hay on. The producer used the information he gained from the field day and from this agent to learn about seeding methods and rates. The field was seeded in May 2019 and was rotational grazed beginning in early July. During a farm visit, the producer informed me that he not only was able to utilize the field for grazing as compared to years prior when it was “full of weeds” , but he was also able to graze more cow calf pairs. The producer commented that he had four more cow calf pairs grazing and  six replacement heifers and they were in better body condition than in years past. The producer told this agent that when he sold the calves, they were thirty eight  pounds heavier this year as compared to the 2018 calf crop.  Not only did the producer gain knowledge, he also increased his profit margin.






Stories by Roger "Darrell" Simpson


Muhlenberg County Homemakers Join Efforts to fight COVID-19

Muhlenberg County Homemakers Join Efforts to fight COVID-19

about 4 years ago by Roger "Darrell" Simpson

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 was life changing. However; change is not new to the University of Ken... Read More


Muhlenberg County Homemakers are All in on Ovarian Cancer Research

Muhlenberg County Homemakers are All in on Ovarian Cancer Research

about 4 years ago by Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Ovarian Cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women according to the American Cancer Society. A ... Read More


Stories by Muhlenberg County CES


Teens Express Appreciation for Local Volunteers

Teens Express Appreciation for Local Volunteers

about 4 years ago by Mackenzie Pogue

Simply put, 4-H Programs in Muhlenberg County 4-H would not exist without the tremendous support of ... Read More


Senior Scholarship Night Showcases Over $279,000

Senior Scholarship Night Showcases Over $279,000

about 4 years ago by Mackenzie Pogue

The National Center for Educational Statistics states a family with an income between $30-48K on ave... Read More


Stories by Forages


Small Horse Farm Improves Forage from UK Equine Pasture Evaluation Program

Small Horse Farm Improves Forage from UK Equine Pasture Evaluation Program

about 4 years ago by Jimmy Henning

In 2016, Paul and Melita Knapper were the first farm to be enrolled in the RCPP Overgrazing and Soil... Read More


Baleage Program Success

Baleage Program Success

about 4 years ago by Benjamin Conner

Producing feedstuff for livestock is important in Scott County because of the large importance of be... Read More