As a result of the tobacco buyout in 2004, many farmers in East KY transitioned to beef production, namely cow-calf operations, to continue earning income on their farms. County Extension Agents in Morgan, Magoffin, Elliott, and Wolfe counties realized in early 2017 that producers are still lacking the education and management skills they need to build better beef herds through quality heifer development.

Proper heifer development is one of the key components to profitability in a beef cattle operation. However, producers in East Kentucky often face challenges when selecting heifers to develop and keep as replacements for their herd. Understanding the core principles of heifer development enables producers to incorporate management techniques that will ultimately improve the efficiency of their operation and the genetics of their herd. To help producers alleviate the stresses associated with selecting and developing replacement heifers, a group of ANR agents offered “Developing Replacement Heifers,” a seven-month, hands-on series that included the following topics: Economics, Facilities, and Management; Nutrition; Evaluation and Reproductive Health; Vaccination Programs, Ultra-sounding, Estrus Synchronization, and Artificial Insemination. 

The goals of the program included helping producers: 1.) Develop a better understanding of the economics related to developing your own heifers in a system with sound working facilities and management practices; 2.) Understand the benefits of hay testing, reading feed tags, and offering loose, free-choice minerals; 3.) Apply body condition scoring, reproductive tract scoring, and pelvic measurements when selecting replacement heifers; 4.) Utilize EPDs to increase the genetic merit of their herd; 5.) Understand the significance of gauging the reproductive efficiency of their heifers based on ultrasounding and eliminating non-breeders; and 6.) Learn about estrus synchronization protocols to tighten the calving season of their herd whether they are utilizing artificial insemination or natural breeding. 

Throughout the seven-month program (June-December 2017), agents worked with University of Kentucky Extension Beef Specialists, local veterinarians, and other partners to deliver a worthwhile educational experience to beef producers in the region. The agents combined the traditional classroom-style approach with on-farm, hands-on demonstrations to maximize the learning potential for all clientele.

More than 70 beef producers from six counties participated in the program. Follow-up surveys conducted three months after the conclusion of the series indicated the level of impact. After reviewing the surveys and having follow-up discussions with producers, the agents concluded:

• Many producers were aware of the key aspects of developing replacement heifers, but were lacking the education and know-how that would allow them to apply the practices on their farms. 
• About 50% of producers noted that as a result of the program, they were going to have their forages tested in the future and had already began offering loose, free-choice minerals, rather than a salt block, to their herds. 
• Many producers were unaware of how much more efficient their breeding program could become by scoring reproductive tracts, measuring pelvic area, ultrasounding, and synchronizing estrus in their replacement heifers. 

Participants of the program also assisted agents in identifying program needs for beef producers for 2018. In June of 2018 the agents developed and presented an Educational Poster over the program and submitted to the Kentucky Association of County Agriculture Agents (KACAA) state Applied Educational Poster Competition where the poster placed 2^nd overall.