Author: Clinton Hardy
Planning Unit: Daviess County CES
Major Program: Beef
Plan of Work: Increasing Agricultural Profitability
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Beef cattle production is an important enterprise in the Daviess County agricultural economy. Cattle are grown by nearly 200 full time agricultural producers as well as individuals who utilize cattle production revenue as a supplement for off farm employment. Cattle and forages were historically low priorities regarding management of the breeding season and ensuring the highest quality forage nutrition available. Typical revenues on a per acre basis were low in comparison to grain and tobacco so producers viewed the time contributed to their production as low priority. However, increasing prices for cattle, declining margin in grain, and the master settlement agreement contribution to beef production education, beef cattle genetics and cattle equipment led to a renaissance in the significance cattle have in farm businesses. Improved genetics, marketing opportunities such as CPH45, and the Kentucky Beef Network on-farm facilitator have had a positive impact on the importance of cattle in our farm businesses. Beef production continues to be opportunistic in the Green River Area but with rising input, expense emphasis has been placed on alternative grazing methods and balancing nutritional needs in cattle correctly. Producers want to continue to profit and be sustainable in their approach. To meet the help the need of beef production clientele and employees, the Green River Area Agriculture agents hosted the Master Cattleman program. Thirty eight people from 6 counties participated. According to participant survey, most plan to utilize additional rotational grazing practices, bale graze to offset labor expense and test hay for nutritional feed value in and effort to balance rations based on forage nutrient analysis as a result of the program.
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