Outstanding in his field

Bill Robinson
Register News Writer

February 26, 2007 08:02 am

— Brandon Sears, Madison County’s new agriculture extension agent, began work Jan. 16. He replaces John Wilson who had held the county agent’s job for more than 31 years.
Sears, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky, worked the past two years on developing forage production systems at the UK Agriculture Experiment Station in Breathitt County.
Improved forage production is becoming more important to local farmers as they expand beef cattle production to replace the income lost from declining tobacco crops, Sears said.
“With corn prices up, cattle farmers need to produce as much of their own cattle feed as possible,” he said.
“I’ve been going around the county to meet farmers, observe their operations and learn about their needs,” Sears said. Madison County, which ranks fourth among Kentucky counties in beef production, is well suited for beef cattle production, he said.
While farmers have tried several replacements for tobacco, expanded beef cattle is emerging as perhaps the most promising alternative.
Many farmers are still seeking advice on how best to invest their tobacco settlement money, he said.
“With about 10 federal or state incentive programs to choose from, making the best choice is not always easy,” Sears said.
Incentives for improving facilities renovating pasture lands, protective heavy use areas and supplying fresh water are among those available for livestock farmers, he said.
Planting of “forage type rye and warm season grasses” can improve pasture grazing potential, Sears said. Growing corn in fields in which cattle are allowed to forage incrementally by controlling access with temporary fencing is a practice that could prove useful to local livestock farmers, he said.
In addition to providing more economical feed, good forage management practices can help reduce parasites in livestock, Sears said.
A number of Madison County farmers have begun raising goats in recent years, but the growth is this sector has probably peaked, Sears said. The diseases that can affect goats have cut in the profitability of raising goats, he said.
Several farmers have experimented with such new practices such as raising table grapes and growing vegetables for sale in local farmers’ markets.
“I don’t have all the answers,” Sears said, “but with the extension service’s network of resources, we have access to the best advice available.”
Madison County has “a strong farming community that is blessed with good leadership,” Sears said. “I look forward to working with the Farm Bureau Federation, the Beef Cattle Association and other local farming organizations.”
While outdoor farming activities normally are scaled back this time of year, the winter season is a good time farmers to work on production planning and take advantage of educational opportunities such training in safe pesticide use, Sears said.
A native of Bullitt County, Sears, 28, grew up on a farm on which his family raised field crops, mostly corn, soy beans and some hay.
“Farming is in my blood,” he said. In addition to advising farmers, Sears said he likes to do some farming of his own. He also enjoys hunting and tinkering with antique farm machinery. “I’m looking forward to working with the local antique farm machinery collectors’ organization,” he said.
Sear’s wife Amanda, a native of Laurel County, is a horticulturist who also earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UK.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.