Summary
With Georgia having only one Extension Forage Specialist there was a need for additional programming support in forages. In order to meet this need, the UGA Forage Extension Team collaborated with Dr. Hancock in order to assist in handling the magnitude of statewide forage responsibilities. Together they are able to advance the programming efforts in forage issues.
Situation
Forage crops are important to the state of Georgia. There are approximately 4 million acres of pasture, hay and silage in Georgia (10% of the state). This includes 3.4 million acres of pastureland and approximately 600,000 acres of hay land. The total of all other field crops is less than 3 million acres. The associated forage-based livestock systems have a farm gate value of over $1.4 billion. Georgia forages include bermudagrass, tall fescue, annual ryegrass, bahiagrass, and white clover, among others.
Forage quality is the key to a successful livestock operation. Poor quality forage impacts reproduction efficiency, growth rate, health and overall economic returns to management. Forage producers are continually seeking new information they can use to improve forage yield, reduce cost, and maintain profitability. The way in which a pasture or hay field is managed can have a major impact on a producer's bottom line.
Response
In 2006, Dr. Dennis Hancock came to the University of Georgia as a Professor in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department and as the State Forage Extension Specialist. Since that time, the UGA Forage Extension Team has collaborated with Dr. Hancock in order to assist in handling the magnitude of statewide forage responsibilities. Together they are able to advance the programming efforts in forage issues. Team members, strategically located throughout the state, are a specialized group of Extension Agents selected based on their knowledge of forages. The team conducts forage programming in their respective areas or regions of the state. In addition, the team publishes a quarterly newsletter that is distributed throughout the southeast. Newsletter articles are often picked up and rerun by industry publications. Additionally, the UGA Forage Extension Team implemented the UGA GrassMasters program as a collaborative effort between the UGA Extension Forage program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The GrassMasters program is a 7-week program for livestock and forage producers. This specialized program covers various aspects of production. All seven sessions in the Program are focused on quality forage production and maximizing profits for forage producers. The Forage Team uses a number of techniques in order to provide critical information to forage producers. Some of these include but are not limited to:
• Programs
• Workshops
• Field days
• Newsletters and blogs
• Mass media
• Phone calls
• In-person consultations
• Print and online publications
Impact
The UGA Forage Extension Program was assessed through an online survey during February and early March of 2017. The survey was sent to 349 valid emails of participants in UGA major forage extension programs. The 88 responses that were received reflected a 25.2% response rate, which is considered high based on accepted survey response norms. Participants self-reported that their participation in UGA Forage Extension programs were directly responsible for increasing their net farm incomes by an average of 16.1% (+/- 2.3) and net agribusiness income by 17.1% (+/- 2.3). Since 2015, the UGA Forage Extension Team has made 2773 face-to-face contacts using previously identified outreach methods. In addition, the UGA Forage Extension Team has held the GrassMasters program at four training locations across the state. This program has reached 128 producers face to face and is coordinated by and offered through county Extension offices in Georgia. Finally, through the quarterly newsletter, team members are making a regional impact by providing educational Information to over 7200 forage producers and agribusiness professionals. This teaching model has been very effective. As documented by the evaluation results, the UGA Forage Extension Team has been advancing forage programming efforts in Georgia. While unique, this model is something that could be replicated in other states.
State Issue
Animal Production
Details
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Year:
2018
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Geographic Scope:
Multi-County
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County:
Harris
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Program Areas:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
