Spring Beef Programming has become a staple in the Rockcastle County agriculture programming over many years.  This year’s series was focused on whole farm management with the goals of having farmers become more profitable and sustainable just by being more management intensive. The series of classes offered consisted of grazing management/farm planning, weed management of hay and pasture, bull buying for your herd, forest management on the beef farm, and hay and pasture insurance options.  The programs were offered by the Rockcastle County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, as well as UK specialists. 

The programs were offered on a weekly basis from February thru March. A total of 53 different individuals participated in at least one class from the series with more than half attending all sessions. Great questions were asked after presentations as well further interest in topics by calls and emails. At least 3 producers have developed farm and grazing plans and implemented practices since developing plans.  A total of 5 producers have implemented weed management practices, 3 have expressed interest in working with forest lands, and 6 have contacted insurance companies for pasture and hay drought protection.

The long term outcome of this program series would be beef producers spending less money with greater returns by using best management practices on farm and forest for the total property they own. By implementing these new skills farmers will be more sustainable with profitability of their operation as well as preserving the natural resources of their properties for future generations of farmers.