Beef cattle and forage production enterprises are the backbone of Morgan County’s agricultural economy. Baseline assessments several years ago indicated that farmers were utilizing only one third of their forage production opportunities and that their overall forages were too low in quality to meet expected animal performance requirements. 

Morgan County Ag Board leaders and ANR agent utilized the Morgan County Extension Educational Farm to conduct programs for forage producers including Master Cattlemen in 2020.  Classes on wrapping haylage, soil sampling, growing summer annuals, mowing methods, and using moisture testers have been offered – plus extensive newsletter articles and publications.  Additional farmers are taking advantage of free hay testing through the East Ky Hay Contest.  

Newly adopted management strategies continue to result in improved hay quality for the county as evidenced in 2020’s East Ky Hay Contest results.  More farmers are amending soils, cutting hay at proper stage, and adding legumes. As a result of these practices, Crude Protein and Relative Feed Values averages have increased significantly.  As one cattle farmer stated, “It takes better hay to make better beef.”