Success StoryGrass in the Rumen Equals Pounds on the Rail



Grass in the Rumen Equals Pounds on the Rail

Author: Matthew Futrell

Planning Unit: Christian County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Enhancing Production through Sustainable Agriculture and Marketing Strategies

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Grass in the Rumen Equals Pounds on the Rail

 

The key to a productive cattle herd is forage management.  Much as grain farmers use combines as harvesting equipment, cattle producers can think of their livestock as their harvesting equipment.  In this mind set the better a producer can utilize their grass, the more productive their cattle operation can be.  According to the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association there are over 995,000 head of beef cattle in the state of Kentucky.  That makes Kentucky the largest beef cow producing state east of the Mississippi River.  Grass in the rumen equals pounds on the rail.

On May 11th 2021, nearly 30 producers from three states met at the Christian County Extension Office to attend a fencing school.  The fencing school taught principles of fencing, fence law, and hands on fencing demonstrations.  The full day training gave participants a better understanding of the types of fence used and how to properly construct them.  Dr. Chris Teutsch explained that good fences allow producers to better utilize their pastures, and allows them to be more efficient with their grazing system.   As fence technology has improved producers can adapt and modify their grazing system on a daily basis to accommodate their grazing needs.

As beef producers look for ways to be competitive in a global market they find that being more efficient in how they feed their cattle is a key priority.  By being better forage managers cattle producers can decrease their feed cost and increase their pounds of gain.  Remember, grass in the rumen equals pounds on the rail.






Stories by Matthew Futrell


Mind Bending

Mind Bending

about 7 years ago by Matthew Futrell

~~Mind BendingJeffers Bend environmental Center is a retired water treatment plant in Hopkinsville, ... Read More


Pasture Walk

about 6 years ago by Matthew Futrell

Pasture WalkOn March 27th twenty five dairymen met with University of Kentucky specialist Ray Smith ... Read More


Stories by Christian County CES


Land-Grant Institutions Partner to Bring Collaborative 4-H Program to Christian County

Land-Grant Institutions Partner to Bring Collaborative 4-H Program to Christian County

about 6 years ago by Kendriana Price

According to Childcare Aware of America, in 2017 before and after school childcare for school-aged c... Read More


Jr. MANRRS: From County to Campus to County

Jr. MANRRS: From County to Campus to County

about 6 years ago by Kendriana Price

The Jr. MANRRS Leadership Institute allows students to explore opportunities that the University of ... Read More