Farmstead Planning: Old Farm Buildings Repurposed for Better Farming: How to Develop a Complex

Farming is probably one of the most complex means of earning a living that has been devised. The many components of a farming operation that have to be managed would create an extensive list. Many beef cattle producers might focus on reproduction, nutrition, forages, health, and handling. However, there are many others operational considerations that are just as important

Closing a Liquid Manure Storage Structure

Liquid manure storage structures, such as a lagoon, holding pond, or pit, serve an essential purpose on an active livestock operation. However, when this structure is no longer actively managed it can become a major liability to the producer because of its potential to have a discharge. The discharge from a liquid manure storage structure can contain pollutants such as nutrients, heavy metals, hormones, pathogens, and agriculture chemicals, all of which can pose serious threats to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Because of the pollution potential, livestock producers ceasing their operation are required to close their liquid manure storage structure(s) as part of their Kentucky No Discharge Operational Permit. To help offset the costs of closing the structure, producers may want to apply for cost share funds through the Division of Conservation. Before beginning to close a liquid manure structure, the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) must be provided with a closure plan. This publication outlines the preferred practices and steps for closing a liquid manure structure to meet the guidelines of the KDOW

Increasing Dry Cow and Bred Heifer Performance with Environmental Management

Producing high-quality milk is a primary concern of dairy farmers, which is why the production herd often receives more attention than the dry cows and bred heifers. However, it is important that dairy producers not lose sight of the great value that their dry cows and bred heifers hold: the future of the milking herd. Environmental management practices such as rotational grazing, heavy-use area pads for feeding and watering, and shelter can be used to increase close-up cows’ future performance by preventing mastitis and other health disorders such as lameness

Central Data System Design for Scientific Solar Probes

Scientific solar probes (such as Pioneer) are aimed at mapping the radiation and particle fields of the solar corona. The central data system design must accorrn:nodate different instrument complements as mission assignments and emphasis change. Telemetry channel capacity is restricted by extreme range and practical limitations on antenna gain and transmitter power. Adaptive data sampling and telemetry formats, and sophisticated processing algorithms, which the experimenters have the option to use or not, are required to make efficient use of the available telemetry channel capacity. The central data system requires a stored program for mission-to-mission flexibility, and ultra-reliability to meet mission effectiveness standards. Ultra-reliability is obtained through the pooling of logical units in such a way that the failure of one unit does not disable the computer. A diagnostic program exercises the on-board data system. An on-ground computer program isolates the fault from telemetry information and reprograms the on- board computer around the fault via the command link. A system simulation model for the central data system of a scientific space probe has been designed and programmed. The goal is to define the basic and ancillary services that the central computer can provide the experimenters . Development of the simulation program has forced the designer to consider all aspects of the system in minute detail. The instrument complement assumed for the simulation consists of a triaxial magnetometer, cosmic ray telescope, neutron detector, radio propagation experiment, plasma probe, micrometeorite detector, and a VLF wave-particle experiment. Engineering data inputs are simulated and processed by the simulation program

Monitoring Subsurface Drainage Flow at Remote Locations

Laboratory evaluations and field results are presented for a slotted weir used to measure discharge from subsurface drains. The head–discharge curve for the vertical slot is a simple power function with an exponent of 1.5. There was excellent agreement (r2 \u3e 0.99 and 1:1 slope) between predicted and observed discharge in laboratory testing of 12 test weirs representing five slot widths. The primary advantages of the vertical slot weir are its simplicity, ease of maintenance, and ability to measure small flow rates. Disadvantages include a tendency for the slot to close a small amount over time as a result of creep when using a PVC pipe and the possibility for material to become clogged in the slot. The use of a spacer in the slot eliminated the tendency for the slot to close

Providing Water for Beef Cattle in Rotational Grazing Systems

Water is the most essential nutrient for cattle production. Water is used in almost every bodily function, including digestion, milk production, and excretion. Given the role and function of water in relation to animal production, health, and welfare, it is critical that abundant, clean water is available in any livestock production operation. Livestock must have immediate access to water within every paddock of a rotational grazing system to realize maximum efficiency and production

Drought Risk Management for Beef Cattle Farms

One of the most challenging aspects of owning and operating any farming operation is dealing with uncertainty. Uncertainty on the farm comes in many forms; livestock health, feed prices, fuel prices, market prices, and weather to name a few. Over the past decade, the prevalence and impact of drought on agriculture has dramatically increased, thus adding further uncertainty to farmers’ decision-making processes. Drought and the associated loss of productivity is a real risk scenario that all farmers must face. With this inherent risk, one must protect their farm and the environment it impacts through a sound decision-making process that factors in uncertainty and scarcity of critical resources

Lowering Somatic Cell Count with Best Management Practices

As health and food safety concerns grow, dairy producers are facing more stringent regulations. In 2010, the European Union (EU) set the somatic cell count (SCC) upper limit, an indicator of milk quality, for exported milk at 400,000 cells per milliliter. However, the current U.S. SCC limit is 750,000 cells per milliliter. As of January 2012, any U.S. milk used in export markets must meet the EU standards. It is projected that US milk processors will gradually adopt the EU upper limit, making it difficult for dairy producers to sell milk containing more than 400,000 somatic cells per milliliter. Dairy producers will have to find innovative and cost-effective ways to reduce the somatic cell count of their milk. This publication will discuss how agriculture best management practices can be used to lower SCC

Kentucky Nutrient Management Planning Guidelines (KyNMP)

Nutrients are constantly cycling through farms. Nutrients come onto a farm in the form of feed, commercial fertilizers, manure, or compost, and they leave the farm with harvested crops, sold livestock, and off-site disposal of manure and other waste. Sometimes nutrients are even lost to the air, soil, or water. Nutrient management allows farmers to use nutrients (specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) wisely for optimal economic benefit with minimal impact on the environment. Approximately 80 percent of nutrients fed to an animal passes through the gut and into its manure. If managed correctly, the nutrients and organic matter in this manure can be recycled to produce crops and save producers money. If managed incorrectly, manure can contribute to nonpoint source pollution that threatens water quality. One practice that reduces the impact of agriculture on natural resources is nutrient management planning, which involves monitoring and recording all aspects of soil fertility, manure sampling, and crop production so that air, soil, and water resources are not compromised

Kentucky Nutrient Management Planning Guidelines (KyNMP) [2016]

Nutrients are constantly cycling through farms. Nutrients come onto a farm in the form of feed, commercial fertilizers, manure, or compost, and they leave the farm with harvested crops, sold livestock, and off-site disposal of manure and other waste. Sometimes nutrients are even lost to the air, soil, or water. Nutrient management allows farmers to use nutrients (specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) wisely for optimal economic benefit with minimal impact on the environment. Approximately 80 percent of nutrients fed to an animal passes through the gut and into its manure. If managed correctly, the nutrients and organic matter in this manure can be recycled to produce crops and save producers money. If managed incorrectly, manure can contribute to nonpoint source pollution that threatens water quality. One practice that reduces the impact of agriculture on natural resources is nutrient management planning, which involves monitoring and recording all aspects of soil fertility, manure sampling, and crop production so that air, soil, and water resources are not compromised