Capitalizing on Kentucky's Horse Industry: Improving On-farm Profitability for Hay Producers and Horse Owners

Growth and innovation are essential to the long-term success of any industry. In Kentucky, small and medium size horse operations have been underserved in areas of educational programing, cost share programs, and infrastructure improvements. Farms with horses in the state number approximately 35,000 and directly impact over 1 million acres of farmland. It is estimated that over 85% of horse operations purchase their hay from hay producers, hay brokers, or local farm stores, but much of this hay comes from out of state. This project seeks to assist horse farm owners through agronomic education, soil and forage testing programs, cost share programs and cooperative extension services. This project will also provide much needed education to hay producers who have the potential to increase their net farm income by marketing horse quality hay. The project will include establishing demonstration farms, creating educational programing, developing publications and popular press articles, and six regional field days. It will also include working closely with county agents, NRCS, the new UK Regulatory Services Hay Testing Program and the KDA Hay Marketing Program.