Farmers and producers, October is here and with it brings the time for 2020 Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program (TAEP) Applications to be submitted. Following suit of recent years in the program, Application A can be completed between October 1 and 7, 2020, postmarked or online. This is the only time that applications are accepted all year. Check the website for more details https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html , or call (865) 992-8038.
TAEP has been providing cost-share dollars to Tennessee producers since 2005, which gives them opportunities to make long-term investments in farms and communities. Participation allows producers to maximize farm profits, adapt to changing market situations, improve operation safety, increase farm efficiency and make a positive economic impact in their communities. More than $185 million has been invested in 62,942 producer projects from 2005 through 2019. Each TAEP dollar generates $6.09 in local economies.
Livestock producers are eligible to receive up to 50% cost share on improving their farms with hay barns, working facilities, herd vaccinations, new bulls and bred heifers. New and used equipment including hay rings, creep feeders, fly sprayers, pasture sprayers, GPS, hay unrollers, bunk feeders, covered mineral feeders, feed bins and many other items qualify for the program. Tractors or land purchases are not eligible.
Union County Angus producer Allen Padgett says, “I have participated in many of the programs over the years; we have been able to purchase a squeeze chute and corral system, new hay rings to help save hay, and a new herd bull thru the genetics program. The best thing, though, was building a hay storage barn which is currently full of over 200 bales.”
These programs are very beneficial to improving producer operations across Tennessee. Padgett says, “Last year, I used the Herd Health program for the first time and I will apply for it again in the future. It allowed me to vaccinate and deworm all my animals and improved overall herd health. Also, it gave me the opportunity to tattoo and tag all animals that needed it while we had them in the chute. The programs have been good for us and we will continue to use Ag Enhancement program in the future.”
New in 2020 are fence-line hay feeders. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has been doing research on different types of fence line hay feeders. The basic idea is that hay is placed in a half ring or cube in a fence near to where the hay is stored. The operator never has to enter the pasture to add new hay bales.
This reduces tractor track damage to pastures during winter hay feeding, not to mention the tractor essentially never gets in the mud, and the farmer never has to leave the tractor to open gates to enter the pastures — saving time, energy, and wear and tear. The cattle can’t access all sides of the bale, but because the area is built up or on a concrete slab, the hay never gets in the mud. Because it is fed in the same place, a cover can also be added to keep rain out of the feed as well. The main idea is to build a place for hay feeding that stays dry, reduces hay waste, and saves time, or reduces labor costs.
The Producer Diversification programs are available for diversified agriculture operations such as agritourism, fruit, vegetable, honey bee, horticulture, organic, and value-added agriculture. These programs have more complicated applications, but can be extremely valuable.
Producers must meet some standard requirements in order to be eligible for the program as well as have a certain amount of acres or head of livestock for some programs. Applicants must file a Schedule F (farm expense form) on their income tax return and participate in educational classes such as Beef Quality Assurance and Master Beef.
This year, the Master Beef Producer Program will be offered by UT Extension Union County from the comfort of your own home. That’s right — you can kick back in your recliner and watch a series of lessons on evenings throughout October and November, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. You must have an email address and internet connection in order to participate. If you are interested in the class, please contact Shannon Dewitt at (865) 992-8038 or email sdewitt@utk.edu. Classes start immediately.
If your Master Beef certificate is dated 2016 or earlier, you will have to get a new certificate before you send in your reimbursement packet in spring/summer of 2021. If your certificate is dated 2017, you can wait until the normal spring or fall class with no problem (hopefully, there won’t be an issue with having a class in 2021). If you are not sure when your last Master Beef certificate was issued, call Shannon at 865-992-8038 and she can provide this information.