Western Kentucky Summer Forage Tour: Reviving Rundown Farms

Neglected and rundown livestock farms are all too common in the Commonwealth.  Bub and Lakayah Daugherty purchased D&D Farm in 2013, they set a goal to raise cattle and be profitable. They attend the Kentucky Grazing School held in Princeton.   Upon returning from this high quality educational program they worked with cooperative extension and the USDA-NRCS to establish a rotational stocking system.  In 2019, their farm was featured on the Western Kentucky Summer Forage Tour.   The Daugherty’s farm was not perfect and was in various stages of renovation.  This made the farm much relatable to program attendees.  Participants were able see improvements that have been made, improvements that were being implemented, and learn about future plans. The tour attracted more than 165 participants and featured frank and open discussions on various approaches to restoring the productivity of neglected farms.   Several demonstrations were featured during the tour including summer annuals as part of a pasture renovation plan, herbicides for improved weed control, utilizing crabgrass and annuals ryegrass for summer and winter forage, and restoring hay feeding areas.