100 - Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Systems
Title
Ag Development Council
Impact Statement
Ag Development Council
Our county has been very fortunate to receive over $300,000 in funds to allocate to cost projects in the county. It has been our responsibility to assist and advise the council in managing paperwork, in the decision making process, and keeping a good relationship among all councils.
The Beef Improvement Council (BIC) asked for and received over $200,000 to administer the Cattle Handling Facilities Program, Genetics Improvement and the Forage Improvement Cost Share programs. We assist the BIC coordinator in managing the paperwork associated with the programs and advising him in his decision making to assure proper procedures are followed.
Cattle Handling and Facilities
The entire amount of money was allotted and used, mainly by first time participants in these programs. The program participants are very excited about their improvements, and have been able to handle their animals in an easier and quicker manner. Several said they reduced their veterinarian costs by 2 hours, which is $80/hour then we have saved $160 per farm visit or $320/year.
Genetics Improvement program has improved the genetic base in the county. This year we have been emphasizing to the producers picking up bull applications that it is time to utilize crossbreeding for their herds. On one farm that realized that he needed to change something in his genetic make-up, specifically his bulls. He is now receiving an easy 150 pounds of gain per calf, just by changing the breed of his bulls. He has 60 head of calves at $1.35/lb; he has increased his gross income by $12,150 for 1 year.
Forage Improvement Cost Share Programs
When this program began, it was not difficult to find fields that needed lime and clover seed. We actually printed off a list of soil samples to make our case for this program showing the lime needed per acre. Now in many cases producers bring in their soil samples and try to find some fields that need lime along with their clover seed, but they cannot find fields needing lime. The fertility of the pastures and hay fields has actually improved by 75%. When looking at soil sample results from pre-program to post-program, of the samples that we are taking we find very few drastically deficient farms as we did in earlier years.
Diversification Council
The Diversification Council has been successful in receiving funds through the Ag Development Council. They have been able to allocate the funds to 95% first time participants.
The projects that have been funded have been the smaller farmer, but very resourceful producer.
Projects include meat goats, greenhouses, garden mums, daylilies, and iris’ production. These projects are either being added to their present farming operation or to a ‘beginning farmer’ operation.