IRM Beef Program Finalization

The 2017 USDA Census reports Anderson County has 380 Cow-calf operations with 15,880 head and 340 Beef Cattle Operations with 8,263 head. The Anderson County Extension agent, in collaboration with University Specialists in the Animal Science Department, provided clientele with access to the Kentucky Beef IRM program.  The Kentucky Beef IRM programming allowed producers to incorporate synchronization protocol and artificial insemination for beef cattle operators.

Through monthly individual producer meetings and additional community-based educational programming planned by the Agents and Specialists, producers gained a valuable understanding of the importance of incorporating quality breeding stock into their production practices.  Monthly individual producer meetings consisted of incorporating synchronization protocol, breeding, and pregnancy checks. Community-based programming included synchronization protocol, expected progeny difference, body condition score, mineral supplementation, pelvic scoring, pregnancy checking, A.I. bull selection, and beef cattle feed rations.

Over the roughly 13 years the Kentucky Beef IRM program has been in Anderson County, more than 18 producers have participated, and more than 50 producers have attended a community-based education meeting. In-person interviews were conducted every year to gauge the effectiveness of the program. More than 800 cows were bred to top-ranked herd sires utilizing the most successful A.I. synchronization protocol. New technology testing for pregnancy, such as ultrasounds and blood tests were done with producers to help give industry technology companies product insight for development. This help producers decrease input costs in terms of herd sire utilization and increase productivity through high A.I. conception rates in addition to increasing revenue through breeding efficiency. 

Being the last year for the Kentucky Beef IRM program, producers are continuing to work with the Agent, Specialists, and industry representatives to incorporate their own collective action strategy to continue the production practice. This will be done through collective buying agreements for bull semen, drugs, and additional equipment. Programming around these concepts will continue to be conducted as the industry continues to advance to keep producers in Anderson County at the forefront of the beef cattle industry standards.