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Before and after
Tennessee farmers continue to feel positive impact from Ag Enhancement Program improvements
| Story and photos by Mark E. Johnson, Allison Morgan, and Chris Villines |
8/1/2012 |
In a summer characterized by extremely dry weather and record hot days, a little good news for farmers can go a long way — especially when it has to do with money to help them make improvements to their respective operations.
This month, producers statewide will begin receiving approvals for cost-share funding through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP), the highly successful initiative launched in 2005. Since its inception, TAEP has helped fund more than 27,000 farm projects for farmers in the areas of livestock genetics and equipment, hay storage, feed and grain storage, and producer diversification opportunities.
Approval announcements will be mailed by Aug. 15 in all categories except the Producer Diversification Program, which will be mailed by Sept. 15. As in years past, the standard cost-share funding is 35 percent while producers who have completed coursework related to their operations are eligible for 50 percent. Cost-sharing ranges from a maximum of $1,200 to $15,000, depending on the project.
More than 5,300 producer projects of all types totaling $20 million were approved in 2011. Final numbers for 2012 are still being tabulated, but Tennessee Department of Agriculture officials say that the demand has exceeded last year.
“Tennessee’s farmers and rural areas have benefited a great deal from the Ag Enhancement Program,” says Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson. “It’s been an important vehicle for producers to increase farm income and a valuable means of creating economic development in our rural communities. We hope that we can continue to provide this program for many years to come.”
At the Co-op level, employees such as Foothills Farmers Cooperative’s Andy Burchfield, Monroe County operations manager, say TAEP has opened up opportunities for producers and businesses like the Co-op who help supply them.
“It’s provided a tremendous economic boost for the ag community,” says Andy. “Farmers are trying new products that they could not purchase in the past because of the price tag. For example, the average cow/calf operator who wouldn’t spend the extra money to buy a Hay Saver feeder can now use TAEP to get one and improve efficiencies around the farm. TAEP has also been beneficial to the Co-op because it’s created avenues for us to expand the scope of the products we’re selling. It’s been a win-win all the way around.”
Brothers Danny and Mike Curtis, who jointly run a 30-head, 150-acre Angus beef cattle and hay operation at their respective properties 18 miles apart in Paint Rock and Lenoir City, have participated in the program every year since its inception and qualify for the 50-percent cost share as Master Beef Producers. The Foothills Farmers Cooperative members have worked closely with Andy to gradually expand capabilities at their operation by improving their cattle-handling equipment, hay storage facilities, and herd genetics. With TAEP funds, the Curtises have added three Angus bulls — each purchased from Stinson Angus Farm in Talbott — to their herd.
“TAEP has been the best thing that’s ever happened to cattlemen,” says Danny, a former agriculture education teacher at Midway High School. “If it wasn’t for TAEP cost-sharing, there’s no way we would have been able to do the quality things we’ve done on the farm. By getting reimbursed, you can afford to spend a little more money on something better.”
The Curtises’ first TAEP purchase was a Powder River “Tennessee Tub,” and they’ve stayed loyal to the brand as they’ve added a squeeze chute, loading chute, sweep tub, corral panels, alley bows, and scales. Mike, who works full time as a firefighter/EMT with the Lenoir City Fire Department, says it’s all part of a never-ending quest to find ways to work cattle more safely and efficiently.
“Years ago, we used to call the neighbors and have them help us get the cows up,” says Mike, whose 17 year-old daughter, Krista, also assists with the operation along with Danny’s wife, Nancy. “Everybody would have a rodeo a couple of times a year. Now, we can get our hands on them so much easier to doctor them. It’s improved our herd health and is safer for us, too, because it only takes getting hurt once to cost you a whole lot of money and lost time on the farm.”
With the hot and dry weather conditions, Danny and Mike stress that it’s more important than ever to stretch their hay supply for the cattle and ensure that the herd is getting nutritionally fortified through feed. That’s where their purchases of Co-op Super Heavy Duty Hay Saver Feeders (#156481) and a B&W 10-foot All Metal Red Bunk Feeder (#12033) figure prominently.
“After we bought our first Hay Savers for each location, we were so happy with them that we’ve kept adding more over time,” Danny says. “We’re really impressed with the amount of hay they really do save, and we need to save every bit we can right now.”
The improvements in efficiency on Bill and Ray Henshaw’s 800-acre Lynchburg farm due to TAEP purchases speak directly to the large-scale effect the program has had on the state’s ag industry. The Henshaws, longtime members of Bedford Moore Farmers Cooperative, are among livestock producers in Moore County who raise replacement Holstein heifers for Indiana’s Fair Oaks Farm, one of the largest dairies in the U.S.
“Fair Oaks has a lot of cattle in [the Moore County] area, probably 6,000 to 8,000,” says Ray. “They like working with the farmers down here, and we have the type of land and grass they’re looking for.”
Every three months, the Henshaws purchase 120 Fair Oaks calves at approximately 200 pounds, feed and care for them for 19 months, and sell them back to the dairy after increasing their weight by some 1,300 pounds. With approximately 600 heifers on the farm at any given time, the father-and-son team is working at least 120 head each month, sometimes twice during that time period. With that amount of activity, a quality cattle-working facility is critical to the success of their operation, says Ray. With the help of TAEP funding, the Henshaws purchased a For-Most cattle-handling system from Bedford Moore Farmers Co-op in October 2011 to replace a “homemade” unit that had been in place for several years.
“The For-Most equipment has made a world of difference,” says Bill, a former high school science teacher and superintendent of Moore County Schools. “Using this system, we are much more efficient — not to mention safe. It is an extremely strong, durable piece of equipment. You can get the wildest cow or bull in there — some weighing upwards of 1,400 pounds — and they can’t do a thing. At 82, even I feel safe [working the cattle].”
Ray estimates that the farm’s cattle-working time has been cut by at least a third.
“It requires less labor, too,” he says. “One man can do a lot of it by himself.”
Bill adds that the TAEP as a whole has made a “significant
impact” on the farm, noting that he and Ray have also used the cost-share funds to build a new hay-storage barn, add some high-quality genetics, and install a W-W livestock-handling system on another farm. The far-reaching scope of the program is evident across the state, he says.
“You can just drive down the highway in nearly any county and see facilities — especially hay barns — that didn’t used to be there,” says Bill. “[TAEP] is an overall help to just about any farmer, little or big. It’s been the most successful program that I’ve had the opportunity to take part in.”
In Fayette County, Billy and Becky Wilson have also made numerous improvements to their beef operation through TAEP, but they describe their most recent purchase — W-W’s “E-Z-Duz-It” system — as the perfect example of a “before-and-after” scene.
“All of this replaced an old wooden system that my dad originally put up in the ’60s,” says Billy, the fifth generation on his family’s farm. “Wish you could have seen what this looked like before. There’s just no comparison between this equipment and what we had. It’s so much easier, faster, and safer.”
Admittedly, Billy says he and Becky were just “making do” before the TAEP provided the prodding they needed to upgrade their farm equipment. Since the program’s start, the Wilsons have made wise use of the cost-share funds by purchasing Co-op bunk feeders, hay rings, a Priefert squeeze chute, and an assortment of corral panels in addition to the W-W system from Mid-South Farmers Cooperative. They’ve also taken advantage of the genetics program to add an Angus bull every year to their 200-head commercial herd.
Becky and Billy both have their Master Beef Producer certification, which qualifies them for the top tier of TAEP funding.
“We’d probably still be building wooden alleyways if they hadn’t enticed us with the Ag Enhancement money,” says Becky. “An offer of sharing half the cost is a pretty good incentive! This program has certainly been good for us.”
Billy, who has raised cattle part time throughout his 40-year career with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, says he’s grateful for the efficiencies the new equipment has brought to their twice-a-year cattle-working tasks.
“We’re saving time and manpower, and it’s so much easier to work the cattle,” says Billy. “There’s less stress on them and us, too. It’s really helped us better manage our herd.”
The Wilsons are quick to credit Barry Gray, livestock specialist for Mid-South Farmers Co-op, and Wes Blankenship, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative hardware specialist, for helping design and install the W-W system, which features a series of holding and sorting pens connected to a “domino” gate-crowding alleyway.
“This is one of W-W’s best-designed systems, and it’s real easy to use,” says Barry, who usually assists the Wilsons in working their cattle and estimates that it’s cut the time in half. “And the main thing is safety. There’s a series of gates that push the cattle through as you walk behind it, so it’s a lot safer for the producer and the cattle.”
For the 2012 TAEP, the Wilsons have requested more livestock equipment and another herd bull to continue improving their operation. They’re among the thousands of other applicants who are anxiously awaiting approval in a program that has already meant so much to so many Tennessee producers.
“I truly believe Ag Enhancement has kept a lot of people in the cattle business who would have otherwise gotten out,” says Wes. “Especially in times like this, when it’s been dry, pastures are hurting, and hay supplies are low, it’s critical that you do every little thing you can to make your operation more efficient.”
Producers who are approved for TAEP cost-share funds can work with their local Co-ops finalize their needs and purchase items. Visit www.ourcoop.com/productcatalog to view many items available through Co-op.
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