Barren County is known as a cattle county.  Barren County leads KY in both beef and dairy production.  The producers in Barren County range from full time farmers to part time farmers to folks new to farming due to retirement and returning to the family farm.  This is the case with Mr. Dennis.  Mr. Dennis reached out to the Barren County Ag Agent to help him get a small commercial beef operation up and running after he returned to the family farm.  Mr. Dennis returned to find the forage and infrastructure in poor shape.  By utilizing Extension programs and numerous farm visits, Mr. Dennis has developed a forage management plan that uses best management practices for soil fertility, weed control, and renovation.  The Barren Co Ag Agent says that the progress made over the past 3 years is almost unbelievable.  Stocking rates have increased because forage production has greatly improved.  Mr. Dennis has enlisted the help of the Barren County Ag Agent to help select genetics for his commercial herd of Angus based cattle.  Mr. Dennis is utilizing artificial insemination on heifers to rapidly improve the genetics in his herd.  Mr.   Dennis is now moving to the next level of management, utilizing practice such as rotational grazing, grazing sticks, and introduction of legumes back into forage fields.  

In the fall of 2019 Mr. Dennis reached out with some statistics that he found troubling.  The percentage of the cow herd calving was not to his liking.   After consultation with his veterinarian, Dr. Dennis enlisted the help the Cooperative Extension Service.  Beef Extension specialists agreed to use Dr. Dennis as a demonstration herd.  This meant gathering data during two different herd check using ultrasound.   Recommendation were made on breeding and nutritional management.  As result Mr. Dennis percent calf crop rose to 92%.