Program: Livestock Forage Interface Logic Model Situation: Forage and Livestock management management are vital to Kentucky’s Agricultural economy. As livestock margins tighten, strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in the state. Outputs Outcomes -- Impact Inputs Activities Participation Short Medium Long UK/KSU College of Ag Demonstrations / Plot Trials Farm Managers and/or Owners Awareness of current land grant Adopt at least one Ag Water Enhance profit margins for Professionals (agents, (including hands-on training) (and Landlords) research concerning grazing Quality BMP for grazing livestock producers specialists) management livestock Educational Programs Farm Employees Minimize environmental Publications Awareness of forage variety trial Implement routine soil sampling impact of air, soil, or living Field Days and Field Walks Industry Representatives information and follow soil fertility area Research Information recommendations Farm Visits Agents, State and Federal Understanding how to fill forage Improve sustainability of Diagnostic Centers Agency gaps with alternative forage Use diagnostic services to forage-based livestock systems Conferences species identify pasture weeds UK Weather Center Representatives Significant percentage of Videos / Podcasts Enhance knowledge of grazing Increased implementation of producers implementing Commodity Associations County Agents Media management practices for all temporary fencing for managed managed grazing practices (ex: Kentucky Forage & grazing species grazing (ex: social media, blogs, radio, Greater adoption of Grasslands Council, Kentucky Awareness of forage harvest, Develop a grazing plan improved/alternative forages Beef Network, Kentucky TV, newspaper, newsletters, storage and feeding for livestock Cattleman’s Assoc., etc..) etc.) Learn to properly calibrate and management to reduce losses use a no-till seeder Improved forage stands due to State and Federal Agencies Workshops Understanding pasture proper establishment practices Increased openness to try (ex: KDA, NRCS) renovation and forage CCA Continuing Education alternative/improved forages Improved soil health and establishment practices Ag Advisory Councils for grazing/forage production reduced erosion Agent In-Service Introductory level understanding Farmers/Producers Implementation of on-farm Increased wildlife diversity of pasture ecology demonstrations Identify opportunities for improving wildlife habitat with selected forages Assumptions External Factors Cattle margins will be less for the next few years Variability in Weather (floods, droughts, etc) Continued interest in lengthening grazing and reducing hay needs Market/Trade Agreements Opportunities for dual-use of cover crops for livestock/grain Socio-Economics Lack of available equipment / seed
Program: Livestock Forage Interface Logic Model Situation: Forage and Livestock management are vital to Kentucky’s Agricultural economy. As livestock margins tighten, management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in the state. Inputs Outputs Outcomes -- Impact Activities Participation Short Medium Long UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals (agents, specialists) Publications Research Information Diagnostic Centers UK Weather Center Commodity Associations (ex: Kentucky Forage & Grasslands Council, Kentucky Beef Network, Kentucky Cattleman’s Assoc., etc..) State and Federal Agencies (ex: KDA, NRCS) Ag Advisory Councils Farmers/Producers Demonstrations / Plot Trials (including hands-on training) Educational Programs Field Days and Field Walks Farm Visits Conferences Videos / Podcasts Media (ex: social media, blogs, radio, TV, newspaper, newsletters, etc.) Workshops CCA Continuing Education Agent In-Service Farm Managers and/or Owners (and Landlords) Farm Employees Industry Representatives Agents, State and Federal Agency Representatives County Agents Awareness of current land grant research concerning grazing management Awareness of forage variety trial information Understanding how to fill forage gaps with alternative forage species Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species Awareness of forage harvest, storage and feeding management to reduce losses Understanding pasture renovation and forage establishment practices Introductory level understanding of pasture ecology Identify opportunities for improving wildlife habitat with selected forages Adopt at least one Ag Water Quality BMP for grazing livestock Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations Use diagnostic services to identify pasture weeds Increased implementation of temporary fencing for managed grazing Develop a grazing plan Learn to properly calibrate and use a no-till seeder Increased openness to try alternative/improved forages for grazing/forage production Implementation of on-farm demonstrations Enhance profit margins for livestock producers Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area Improve sustainability of forage-based livestock systems Significant percentage of producers implementing managed grazing practices Greater adoption of improved/alternative forages for livestock Improved forage stands due to proper establishment practices Improved soil health and reduced erosion Increased wildlife diversity Assumptions External Factors Cattle margins will be less for the next few years Continued interest in lengthening grazing and reducing hay needs Opportunities for dual-use of cover crops for livestock/grain Variability in Weather (floods, droughts, etc) Market/Trade Agreements Socio-Economics Lack of available equipment / seed
Forage%20Livestock%20Logic%20Model%20v.1.docx