University of Kentucky
A Survey of the Management Practices, Educational Needs, and Decision-making Behavior of Kentucky Dairy Producers
Institution
University of Kentucky
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Jeffrey Bewley
Abstract
The Kentucky dairy industry is challenged by a shrinking number of dairy farms, an aging farmer population, per cow milk production levels well below the national average, and competition from more progressive dairy industries in neighboring states. To assess the opportunities to address these issues through educational programming, a survey was distributed to all licensed milk producers in Kentucky (N=1074). Responses from 230 dairy producers were used to characterize management practices, extension programming needs, information sources, and decision making behavior. Mean 2008 herd size was 83.4 (±101.7) with a projected mean herd size of 91.7 (±112.4) in 2013. Cows were housed outside year round by 39.9% of producers, while 22.1 % housed cows in new or modern freestall barn(s), 17.8% in existing building(s) converted to freestall housing, 8.7% in tie stall or stanchion barns, 7.2% in compost bedded pack (sawdust) housing, and 4.3% in bedded pack (straw) housing. Survey respondents indicated that they preferred to receive new information from printed farm magazines (81.1%), agriculture newspapers (77.5%), and printed newsletters from county agriculture agents (75.8%). The primary factors used to evaluate dairy operation success were ability to pay operating expenses without incurring unnecessary debt (91.7%), well-being of animals in the herd (82.5%), and producing superior quality milk (75.4%). Among 46 dairy management areas, dairymen placed the highest priority (by percentage of producers selecting "very important") on mastitis/milk quality (70.6%), animal well-being (55.9%), and disease prevention/vaccinations (52.4%). These results provide invaluable insight for future dairy-related Cooperative Extension Service programming efforts.
A Survey of the Management Practices, Educational Needs, and Decision-making Behavior of Kentucky Dairy Producers
The Kentucky dairy industry is challenged by a shrinking number of dairy farms, an aging farmer population, per cow milk production levels well below the national average, and competition from more progressive dairy industries in neighboring states. To assess the opportunities to address these issues through educational programming, a survey was distributed to all licensed milk producers in Kentucky (N=1074). Responses from 230 dairy producers were used to characterize management practices, extension programming needs, information sources, and decision making behavior. Mean 2008 herd size was 83.4 (±101.7) with a projected mean herd size of 91.7 (±112.4) in 2013. Cows were housed outside year round by 39.9% of producers, while 22.1 % housed cows in new or modern freestall barn(s), 17.8% in existing building(s) converted to freestall housing, 8.7% in tie stall or stanchion barns, 7.2% in compost bedded pack (sawdust) housing, and 4.3% in bedded pack (straw) housing. Survey respondents indicated that they preferred to receive new information from printed farm magazines (81.1%), agriculture newspapers (77.5%), and printed newsletters from county agriculture agents (75.8%). The primary factors used to evaluate dairy operation success were ability to pay operating expenses without incurring unnecessary debt (91.7%), well-being of animals in the herd (82.5%), and producing superior quality milk (75.4%). Among 46 dairy management areas, dairymen placed the highest priority (by percentage of producers selecting "very important") on mastitis/milk quality (70.6%), animal well-being (55.9%), and disease prevention/vaccinations (52.4%). These results provide invaluable insight for future dairy-related Cooperative Extension Service programming efforts.