Agriculture & Natural Resources State Issues/Goals
2015 Ag Program Advisory Council
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
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Horticulture
Keep as many Specialists/ Agents as possible; utilize Ext associates
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Increase Extension Marketing of current and future programs
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Increasing statewide classes via Lync or Adobe Connect
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Help with local marketing through the promotion of "Buying Local"
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Target small/backyard gardeners (Containers, Raised Beds)
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Distribution of Retail/Wholesale Price Discoveries
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Accessibility of Programs
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Using Horticulture Destinations for Agritourism
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All in one website
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Markets, Tours
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Tying Horticulture into KY Farm Business Management Program
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Crops
Keeping pastures esta blished; drought tolerant varieties; loss of orchard grass/timothy
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More emphasis on economic retu rns of savings on hay/pasture fertilization
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Struggle for new, you ng farmers (Farm Start program good for new farmers)
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Cover Crops-primarily wheat on grain crops-what are comparisons of rye to wheat? Benefits?
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Ryegrass drilled into pastures is good idea to stretch forage base.
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Hay/Pasture Soil Fertility-high priority
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Grou nd is being placed in corn that never should be in grain
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Forages/Productive varieties - Spray vs bush hogging-which is most economical? With high
fuel costs, use of tractor/ bush hog may be higher than chemicals; Continue to look for new
and better varieties-orchard grass persistence
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Grain Crop Information - Continue to update grain publications-corn production is
much different than it was 20 years ago-chemical usage is different; Majority of corn
info is from
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Pri nceton. Many specialists can reti re soon-tight budget might leave these positions open. U K
needs to give these positions top priority to get and keep good grain specialists in Lexi ngton
and Pri nceton.
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Weed Management - Round u p resistance weeds becoming more of a problem. With $6.00
corn more emphasis being placed on grain crop weeds; More emphasis on educational
programs on timing of chemical applications on weeds
 Hay & Pasture Soil Fertility - U K soil tests save fa rmers money -best kept secret. Difference
in speed of getti ng soil test results back from Pri nceton compared to Lexi ngton.
 New Grain Enterprises - Not a lot of new farmers in grain; just esta blished farmers planting
more acreage. Sod fields being placed in corn/beans-create problems wi th moles, crows;
some grou nd good for beef cattle but not suitable for grain crops.
Livestock
Alternatives due to high feed/ Input cost
• Loss of forage land availa bility due to increased grain production/prices.
• Understanding n utrient availability in feeds contai ni ng lower end commodities
• Research showing performance using feed by-products (ie. DOG and wet d istillers)
• Cost and availa bility of purchasing replacement females( Retention open cows vs culli ng)
• Maki ng availa ble a program similar to Master Cattleman for beginning producers.
• Some areas in the state need hel p identifying and locati ng custom slaughter facilities.
• Programs about vaccination and castra tion.
• Maki ng cow college and other state programs more ava ila ble locally.
• Reverting back to old ways if not approved for CAIP
funds. 10. Learning to make better use of Niche markets.
Small flock management
• Li mited resources.
• Wha t are food safety regulations for eggs/ meat etc.
• Marketing eggs, meat etc.
• Consumer ed ucation on differences in free range, Organic, Naturally grown, certified / noncertified.
Honey Bees
• Availability of pollinator hives to producers.
• State apia rist position?
• Ed ucate general public on importance of bees in food production.
• Pesticide safety and use related to bees (insecticides on crops and home fruit).
• CAI P program for bee keepers (many don't know about it).
Pi nkeye Control
• Ovis strand management.
• Mi neral and vaccines (vacci nating vs. not vaccinating)
• Clippi ng pastures.
• General management