ID-202: Feedlot Design and Environmental Management for Backgrounding and Stocker Operations

Steve Higgins, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Sarah Wightman | March 21, 2013 (New)

Kentucky's cattle industry represents the largest beef cattle herd east of the Mississippi, ranking eighth in the nation for number of beef cows. This industry is extremely important to Kentucky's economy. This publication discusses site evaluation strategies, production area management techniques, and a variety of facility types for intensive cattle production that preserve natural resources and improve production.

ASC-207: Stall Bases: Are Your Cows Comfortable?

Jeffrey Bewley, Barbara Wadsworth | March 18, 2013 (New)

Cow comfort generally refers to minimizing animal stress in order to maximize milk production and animal well-being. Lying behavior plays a critical role in the production, profitability, and well-being of dairy cattle. The potential economic impact of increased production, reduced lameness, improved milk quality, reduced culling rates, and increased longevity are immense.

ASC-208: Pre-Investment Considerations for Precision Dairy Farming Technologies

Jeffrey Bewley, Karmella Dolecheck | March 18, 2013 (New)

Precision dairy farming involves the use of technologies to measure physiological, behavioral, and production indicators on individual animals. The primary goals of precision dairy farming are to 1) maximize individual animal performance, 2) detect diseases early, and 3) minimize the use of medication through preventive health measures.

ID-205: Drought-Stressed Corn Silage Valuation, 2012

Kenny Burdine, Greg Halich, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Cory Walters | February 6, 2013 (New)

Extended dry conditions have impacted the corn crop severely in many areas of the state this year. As the condition of the corn crop deteriorates, many have been forced to look at salvage options such as cutting corn for silage and possibly hay for some fields. Due to the extreme weather conditions this year, this publication will focus on valuing drought-stressed corn silage.

ASC-195: Development of the Chick

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | January 14, 2013 (New)

Poultry eggs are part of a unique reproductive system. The egg serves to protect and provide nutrients to the developing embryo. Since the embryo receives no additional nutrients from the hen, the egg must contain all the nutrients essential for life. Nutrients are found in the yolk, the albumen, and the shell of the egg. The egg is a convenient, self-contained package for studying embryology.

PR-652: 2012 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report

Garry Lacefield, Laurie Lawrence, Gene Olson, Tim Phillips, Ray Smith | December 14, 2012 (New)

Cool-season grasses such as bluegrass, tall fescue, and orchardgrass are dominant pasture grasses for horses in Kentucky. Variety evaluations for yield have been carried out for many years, but little work has been done to establish the effect of variety on persistence when subjected to close, continuous grazing by horses. The purpose of this report is to summarize current research on the grazing tolerance of varieties of tall fescue, orchardgrass, and other species when subjected to continuous heavy grazing pressure by horses within the grazing season.

PR-651: 2012 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report

Joey Clark, Garry Lacefield, Gene Olson, Tim Phillips, Ray Smith | December 14, 2012 (New)

Cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and orchardgrass are the primary pasture grasses in Kentucky. Other species such as perennial ryegrass, festulolium, and prairie brome can be used in pasture systems. The purpose of this report is to summarize current research on the grazing tolerance of varieties of tall fescue, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, and other species when they are subjected to continuous, heavy grazing pressure by cattle within the grazing season. The main focus will be on plant stand survival.

ASC-190: Selecting the Right Chicken Breed

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | December 10, 2012 (New)

Many factors should be considered before selecting a chicken breed for your flock, whether you are planning to start a new flock or to add to an existing one. You might be looking for a meat breed, an egg breed, or perhaps a breed that performs reasonably well at both (referred to as a dual-purpose breed). Perhaps you just want a pet or chickens to show at exhibitions.

ASC-191: How Much Will My Chickens Eat?

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | December 10, 2012 (New)

Before purchasing chicks (or chickens) it is important to consider the cost of keeping them. Much of this cost is in the feed they consume. So the key question is, "How much will my chickens eat?" Chickens need a complete feed that contains protein (with the right balance of amino acids), energy, vitamins, and minerals. Today we know more about the nutritional requirements of chickens than any other animal. The amount of feed they need will depend on several factors.

ASC-189: Making a Hoop Pen for Pasture Poultry

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | December 10, 2012 (New)

Interest in pasture poultry production has been on the rise. This kind of poultry production typically involves housing the birds in a bottomless pen that is placed on pasture and moved at regular intervals. The flock has access to the pasture (plants and any associated insects) while providing them some protection from predators.