Cow Country News- August 2023

“ WAX Genuine Marshall ryegrass is my choice of ryegrass … been planting ryegrass for more than 20 years for grazing and hay. Majority of the time I have used WAX Marshall, but also try some of the new ryegrasses to see how they compare to my standard… WAX Marshall…

I am still a WAX Marshall ryegrass man!

I have tried the “Generic Marshall” from my local co-op. In short, it did not come close to production or have the carrying capacity like WAX Marshall… it looked more like Gulf… it did not have the vigor and fast recovery like WAX Marshall.

Every year is different and full of unexpected surprises, but from all my years with WAX Marshall, I feel confident in the outcome.

The “Generic” just did not produce. Planting 700 acres of ryegrass, I do not need any surprises for myself or my cattle. There has only been one consistent ryegrass for me for over 20 years… WAX Marshall ryegrass.

If you want real Marshall ryegrass, make sure you ask for WAX Genuine Marshall… I do! ”

Information is costly to obtain but infinitely valuable when helping us make decisions. Gaps in information are why a new car loses a disturbing amount of value the second you drive it off the lot. It is why many companies require a resume and background check before hiring workers. (Though In agriculture, one hard day’s work can tell us about as much as any screening process can). In economics, we actually assume that many decisions are made using imperfect information. Calling the weather forecasts and market predictions we rely on in agriculture imperfect is being generous. I think it is safe to say that information is an extremely valuable tool.

When it comes to genetic decision-making, I want as many data points as possible when determining which bulls I will use and which replacement heifers I will keep. I don’t need to draw up a timeline of performance testing to prove that it has come a long way in the last 50+ years. Despite naysayers, today’s cattle are much better and more consistent in the pasture and on the rail than they used to be (if you know where to look and use the proper selection criteria). The introduction of genomic testing, followed by heifer fertility, feet, and hair-shed EPDs, has essentially eliminated any guesswork when backed by enough good data. I may not like a bull as much as I thought I would once his progeny are evaluated through their first breeding cycle. However, I will rarely miss by a large margin on sire selection since we have these tools at our disposal. It is safe to say that our imperfect information got a little less flawed.

There is something very paradoxical regarding information and selecting commercial replacements. A lot of bred heifers will sell in our part of the world each year. I realize that I can sell my heifers mainly on reputation, but I still get a lot of cold calls that require me to itemize the background on them. Often the breed composition and body condition of the heifer, the calving ease of the bull she is bred to, and the method of insemination are some of the only questions that are asked when making a significant investment in commercial females. All else equal, home-raised females will obviously garner a slight premium over heifers sourced from the sale barn, but even then, the questions about their lineage pretty much stop at the breed or breeder of the sire. If I get a call on a set of cows or pairs, everyone is suddenly Sherlock Holmes. Although almost nobody asks me if my heifers were bred at 15 months old to calve at 24 months old (which to be profitable, every replacement heifer should do), the first question on cows is always how old they are and

what their calving interval is. They want to know what their calves weighed at weaning (which should be an adjusted 205-day weight, despite people often telling you what they weighed at the sale barn at 9+ months old). In pairs, they will even want to know if the calves had been vaccinated, the birth weight of the calves, and more detailed information on the sire of the calves.

While I may have been a little tongue-in-cheek with my Sherlock Holmes statement, I do so because I am slightly confused about why base-level information is generally good enough on bred heifers but not on cows. I have all the data on both, so I am not offended by any line of questioning about replacement females I have on a price sheet. I also understand the perspective of someone being equally confused about why I would sell a perfectly good four-year-old cow. I think what I am trying to say is that we need to ask for similarly detailed information about bred heifers as we do cows. We need to know her mother’s calving interval, udder structure, and longevity. We need to know if this heifer was sired by a maternally focused sire or by a bull used to simply generate heavy steers (this is verified by EPDs and not a generalized statement). We need to quit using our eyeballs, and just assuming a fancy heifer bred to a bull that meets calving ease requirements is the heifer we need to help us make our farm payment. We need to ask more questions. I have written time and time again that we have $15,000+ invested per cow unit by the time we account for land investment, equipment, and infrastructure. The cost of getting it wrong with replacement females is too high. Information is costly to acquire but even more valuable when applied correctly. In beef production, we need to take a page from those companies that require an interview, resume, and background check before they hire. While I believe stacking a few hundred square bales is the best way to learn if someone can cut it on the farm, I don’t think we need to do the equivalent when it comes to our heifer selection. That gets costly in a hurry. Breakeven costs will be extremely high for bred heifers this fall, and the price tag will probably need to be more than you are accustomed to paying for replacement females. That’s why you need to ensure they have the background to show up for you day after day and not metaphorically quit at lunchtime.

Joe K. Lowe II Contact joe.lowe@icloud.com for

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS: REGIONAL DIRECTORS:

PRESIDENT

Andy Bishop 6135 High Grove Road Cox’s Creek, KY 40013 (502) 350-7609

PRESIDENT ELECT

Jeff Pettit

5745 US Highway 41 S

Sebree, KY 42455 (270) 836-2963

VICE PRESIDENT

Randy Warner 2717 Ratliff Road

Sharpsburg, KY 40374 (859) 771-5280

TREASURER

Ken Adams 90 E Horseshoe Ave. Upton, KY 42784 (270) 734-1443

KCA PAST PRESIDENTS:

REGION

PAST PRESIDENT

Cary King 250 Bright Leaf Drive

Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 613-3734

KCA PROGRAM CHAIRMAN

Daniel Hayden 6333 Herbert Road Whitesville, KY 42378 (270) 570-2815

KBC CHAIRMAN

Joe Lowe PO Box 205 Smith’s Grove, KY 42171 (270) 202-4399

KBN CHAIRMAN*

Allan Bryant

BEEF SOLUTIONS CHAIRMAN*

Jeff Pettit

Beef Solutions Operations Manager

Kenny Allen

Graphic Designer

Todd Brown

KBC Director of Education

Bradon Burks

Membership and Communications Coordinator

Rachel Cain

VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 8

Video Production Specialist Danny Coy

KBN Program Coordinator Jake Harrod

KBN Industry Coordinator Dan Miller

National Advertising Sales, LAN

Debby Nichols (859) 321-8770

Communications Manager Katie Pratt

Director of Kentucky Beef Network

Becky Thompson

Staff Accountant Kelly Tucker

Director of Operations & Policy

Nikki Whitaker

COW COUNTRY is published monthly by THE KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any material which he feels is unsuitable for the publication. Although the highest journalistic ethics will be maintained, the KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION limits its responsibilities for any errors, inaccuracies, or misprints in advertising or editorial copy. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content of advertisements made against the publisher.

Gary Woodall...............................270-725-0819

Wayne Zoleman...........................270-315-7812

Mark Heimgartner........................270-875-2585

Jeremy Armstrong......................270-668-2056

Kenton Howard..................................................

Sara Roberson............................270-668-2428

REGION 2

Phyllis Gentry*............................502-331-1146

Thomas Bolton...................................................

Fred Thomas......................................................

Bradley Willcox............................270-862-4142

Robbie Hatfield............................270-230-6716

Chris Imbruligo...........................270-993-0543

Maggie Vaughn...........................270-590-8017

Mike Jones..................................270-670-7588

Corbin Cowles.............................270-991-2534

Glen Byrd.....................................270-991-1186

Isaac Thompson.........................270-789-8712

Kenneth Green............................270-589-7175

Andy Joe Moore..........................270-590-0841

Brian Manion...............................270-868-0253

Joe Mike Moore..........................270-670-7493

Amy Cecil....................................270-427-7207

REGION 3

Allan Bryant*...............................502-548-1379

Allen Phillips................................502-220-0948

Wanda Hawkins...........................502-321-5602

Phillip Douglas............................502-552-0688

Larry Bryant................................502-845-4615

Amanda Hall................................859-333-5001

Nicole Goecke.............................606-782-2263

Ben Tinsley.........................................................

Kevin Perkins..............................502-269-7189

Kyle Bush....................................859-588-4531

Michelle Simon...........................859-572-2600

REGION 4

Amy White*.................................859-227-2552

Brad Reynolds.............................859-200-1632

Derek Abney................................859-248-0200

Phillip Stamm.............................606-796-9175

Danielle Harmon.........................606-748-8059

Bruce Witt...................................859-585-8889

Jodi Purvis..................................606-336-3540

Mike Ravencraft..........................606-584-0310

Brandon Sears...................................................

Danny Callahan...........................859-388-0910

Jason Crowe...............................859-582-0761

REGION 5

Adam Chunglo*..........................859-613-2985

Brent Woodrum...........................859-397-1078

Tommy Spalding.........................270-402-9157

Dean Craft...................................606-634-0191

Brent Ware..................................606-305-8612

Rick Brewer.................................606-682-2352

Brent Williams.............................502-817-1511

Gary Ford....................................270-402-2194

Aaron Burke................................859-265-1172

Ryan Miller..................................502-827-5027

Phillip Reese................................606-787-1629

Jared Foley..................................270-585-1331

* Denotes member of Executive committee

*ex officio

Carey Brown Chief Operating Officer

KENTUCKY LIVESTOCK INNOVATION CENTER INFORMATION

PAGE 14

Why KCA?

Andy Bishop KCA President

Summer has arrived and brought with it some much-needed rainfall! We often forget to thank God for the blessings he gives us every day but certainly give him credit during times like this. Let this be a reminder that he blesses us in so many ways daily and he deserves credit for all of those too.

We recently had our quarterly board of directors meeting in Breckinridge County where we received updates from our staff and had an opportunity to discuss issues that our board members may have or innovative ideas they would like to see us do. Like myself, our board members represent you at the state level, and I encourage you to put them to work. One of the important things about being a member of an association is the ability to make changes. Remember that though you are only one member, your voice matters, and the only way to affect change is to make your voice heard. Reach out to a board member or an officer with issues or ideas. I have said it before and I will say it again, if you have an issue and want to bring it forward, please do so, but be ready with a solution or partial solution to the problem as well.

Speaking of being a member, I am so thankful that over 11,000 of you see the value in being a member of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association! I remember just a few years ago we celebrated reaching 10,000 members at our Hardin County meeting. Over the last 10 years, Kentucky went from 38,000 to 32,000 beef producers, but our membership is increasing. We now have over one-third of all producers as members, and quite frankly, that is uncommon across the country. The membership goal that our Long-Range Planning Committee set was 15,000 by 2025 which will be nearly half of all producers. I remain confident that we can get there but depend on you to help us spread the word about why you choose to be a part of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association.

President-elect Jeff Pettit spoke up at our board meeting and challenged our board members to be ready with their “elevator speech” about why they choose to be a member. I always appreciate Jeff’s sound advice, and I took that challenge to heart as well. So, why KCA? August kicks off a new membership year and in doing so I want to start a new membership promotion… Why KCA? We are celebrating 50 years this

year, and I want to encourage you to share pictures, editorials, comments, newspaper articles about your history with KCA and what it means to you. We celebrate our regional Hall of Fame inductees each year, and I love seeing the videos and the stories about their time in KCA and their local cattlemen’s association. Those inductees have a rich heritage in this association and most of you do too. Whether you joined to promote beef, build friendships, learn the trade, or just to be a part of something bigger, your story matters and will affect those around you. Social media can be a blessing and a curse, but for sharing your story, “it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread!” Over the next year, I encourage you to share some stories and tag KCA, me and others around you as we show others what this association means to us.

I was born in raised in Nelson County and moved away for a period, but my roots called me back home in 2007. That winter, my best friend and college roommate Ryan Miller invited me to attend the convention to see what KCA had to offer. I attended my first convention in 2008 and made it a goal to grow as a cattleman and a leader within this organization. Coming from ag education, it was easy to make the correlation of being a part of something bigger, but at that first convention I could see that KCA was so much more. The comradery that I witnessed, and the “class reunion” feel at convention sucked me in immediately and made me want to be a part of that class. As I became more involved, I began to see that this association cared deeply about its members and worked hard to find solutions to even the simplest problems the members faced. The staff at KCA wanted you to know that it cared about you and that is a testament to the values of our Executive Vice President Dave Maples. When your leader genuinely cares and makes it a personal mission to resolve your issues, staff and volunteers follow suit. That alone was enough to make me join and quickly become a proud, active member.

Range Plan, Kentucky Beef Council, National Cattle Industry Long-Range Plan, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Federation of State Beef Councils, CPH-45 Programming, educational events, convention, Beef Network Programming, Eden Shale Farm, Beef Solutions, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef and now the Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center. Those are big picture items and I have missed many of them. Among all those things, the one I am most proud of is the friendships that I have made across this state and this country. I am humbled to call you all friends and look forward to meeting even more of you as the years go by.

My answer to Why KCA??? Is why not KCA??? I can’t imagine the direction my life might have taken if I hadn’t been invited to attend that convention in 2008. I challenge you to provide that opportunity to someone else and bring the youth along with them. Until next month, may God bless.

Allison Charolais

Allison Charolais

Charolais Breeder Since •

Charolais Breeder Since 1962

Bulls Available

Bulls Available

Ø Bull calves out of HCR Answer HCR SPIRIT 4007.

Ø Bull calves out of HCR Answer 2042 and HCR SPIRIT 4007.

Ø Bred for calving ease and growth.

Ø Bulls for both purebred and commercial

Ø Bulls for both purebred and commercial breeders.

Ø Bred for calving ease and growth.

CHAROLAIS BULLS & HEIFERS AVAILABLE

Ø Yearlings and two-year-olds available.

Ø Yearlings and two-year-olds available.

Ø Bulls for both purebred and commercial breeders.

Each year, I learned more about the programs that came from our members and became part of the FACTS Tour, the Leadership Program, Young Cattlemen’s Conference, Boots on the Hill Legislative Conference, Young Producers Council, Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation, Frankfort legislative visits, Cattle Industry Long-

Ø Bred heifers to calve in fall available.

Ø Bred heifers to calve in fall available.

Ø Yearlings and two-year-olds available.

John Allison, Owner

David Carter, Farm Manager 502-706-0075

John Allison, Owner 545 Eminence Road New Castle, KY 40050 502-220-3170

John Allison, Owner 545 Eminence Road New Castle, KY 40050 502-220-3170

John Allison, Owner 545 Eminence Road New Castle, KY 40050 502-220-3170

David Carter,

Ø Bred heifers to calve in fall available.

David Carter, Farm Manager 502-706-0075

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President 502-350-7609

Ryan Quarles Commissioner of Agriculture

My favorite time of the year is about two weeks away, when the 2023 Kentucky State Fair takes place Aug. 17-27 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville.

The state fair is the best showcase for Kentucky agriculture. It’s been called “agriculture’s family reunion.” I love to walk around, shake hands with people and talk about the importance of ag to our commonwealth. If you see me out and about, be sure to say, “Hi!”

The state fair represents a chance to experience with some of the sights (and smells) of Kentucky agriculture. More and more Kentuckians are removed from farm living than ever before. The fair is an opportunity to connect with families who are still carrying on the farming traditions that helped build our great state.

The state fair is one of Kentucky’s oldest continuous events, celebrating its 119th year. I can’t think of any other gathering that brings together both urban and rural citizens of all ages and backgrounds to meet in our state’s largest city and celebrate the four “F”s that makes Kentucky great: farming, family, food and fellowship.

One of my favorite state fair events is the annual largest pumpkin and watermelon contest, scheduled Saturday, Aug. 19 at a new location, the Harold Workman North Wing Lobby. Once again, I will serve as master of ceremonies. Last year’s humongous pumpkin weighed an amazing 1,508.2 pounds, and the biggest watermelon was a 248.8-pound whopper. While at the state fair, make sure you visit AgLand. More than an acre of agriculture exhibits in South Wing A highlight Kentucky’s rural heritage, including the future of farming and agribusiness through 4-H and FFA exhibits. I was a member of both youth organizations while growing up as a farm kid from Scott County, and I have many fond memories of competing against my buddies and even my brother Clint at the state fair. I never hesitate to remind Clint that I was a two-time winner of the 4-H tractor driving contest.

4-H members share their skills and compete for champion honors. You can see county grand champion projects competing for state titles in Cloverville. Categories include: geology, knitting and crocheting, forestry, electric, foods, horticulture, woodworking, entomology, clothing, home environment, technology, country hams, consumer science management and photography.

Kentucky FFA exhibits the best projects from 145 chapters across the state. Regional winners in production, agri-business, and placement appear alongside entries of tobacco, hay, corn, floral arrangements, ag mechanics and woodworking.

Outside the entrance to AgLand in the South Wing A Lobby, you can watch high school cooking teams competing for full-ride college scholarships during the Farm-to-School Junior Chef State Tournament on the Farm to Fair Cooking Stage. Junior Chef is a Kentucky Department of Agriculture program that enables students to learn food handling and preparation skills while cooking dishes using as many fresh, local Kentucky Proud foods as possible.

The state fair will kick off Thursday, Aug. 17 at the annual Commodity Breakfast inside the Kentucky Proud Cookout Tent at Parking Lot A outside of South Wing Lobby B. Enjoy a free breakfast buffet of delicious Kentucky Proud food items from our farm families.

The state fair is the highlight of the livestock show season in Kentucky, allowing producers to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Drop by Broadbent Arena and take a look at these dedicated young people working with their farm animals.

The theme to this year’s state fair is “Summer Summed Up.” A new experience, Beerfest, will debut on Saturday, Aug. 19 in partnership with Louisville Ale Trail. This event will invite fairgoers ages 21 and older to sample some of the best beer from up to 20 different craft breweries that call Kentucky home.

I’m excited to have my annual chat with 18-foot-tall farmer Freddy Farm Bureau outside the entrance to Freedom Hall. I look forwarding to visiting with all Kentuckians – hopefully you, too – at this year’s Kentucky State Fair. For full details and tickets, visit www.KyStateFair.org.

This will be my eighth and final state fair as your agriculture commissioner, so please join me in Louisville and make the 2023 edition the best ever!

In our quest to develop genetics that can be counted on, we pay close attention to many different factors that help us pinpoint consistency and efficiency. From utilizing our best cow families and their production records to individual performance and epd’s. We also draw on 71 years of experience to know what will and will not work.

As we look toward the future, it’s evident that more importance will be placed on epd’s and especially genomic profiles. It’s something we will all need to embrace and accept. As more and more data is collected the epd accuracies will continue to find validity. But for us, how the data is collected holds the most meaning.

Environment and management are significant factors in the effectiveness of any data. Our cattle are developed on grass and hay. We never creep feed our calves and expect the cows to produce on the resources available. Even when our cattle are stressed, they still produce at a high level. Years of selection pressure for efficiency has helped us weed out those individuals who fall short of our high expectations. It would be easier to have creep feeders in every field and pour feed to the cows, manufacturing the illusion of great cattle but it’s not our desire to have extra fat cattle covering up a slew of problems. We challenge our cattle so we can offer genetics that are as fault free as possible and they have paid their own way.

When we collect data from our herd, it is very important to have as many contemporaries in one group as possible. We want to know how each individual stacks up against the whole calf crop instead of having multiple contemporary groups to prop up certain individuals calves. We are about developing a whole herd of efficient consistent cattle not a few extreme individuals.

At Stone Gate we want the data on our cattle to mean more. We take the necessary steps to make sure our cattle will be able to work for our customers in any environment. They have been tested here so they can be profitable for you.

Thoughts From Dave

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

As I write this article, I have just attended the funeral of Mr. Gene Barber, one of the owners and the driving force behind the Blue Grass Stockyards organization. Mr. Barber was a big personality and a big part of the Kentucky cattle industry for years. The Barber name and brand is known all across the cattle feeding industry. I knew when I accepted the job as the executive director of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association 24 years ago, (My first CCN article was August 1999) that it was a big one. I also knew that the cattle industry in the eastern U.S. went through Kentucky. The purebred industry was very prominent at the time. The North American International Livestock Exposition was a big, exciting event. I also knew, but not to the extent that I should have, that the feeder cattle market in the eastern half of the country was determined by the cattle buying companies in Kentucky.

I learned really quick that if I was going to make it in this new job, I had to get to know the players, specifically the ones that called the shots. The ones that moved big numbers of feeder cattle. At that time, there were four names that surfaced really fast: Gene Barber, Dell King, Marshall Celsor and Tommy Gibson. All four were big personalities but Mr. King, Mr. Barber and Mr. Celsor were involved and engaged from an industry and political standpoint as well as from their business perspectives. Each had a different business model, and each were highly motivated and competitive. Sometimes the motivation would cause them to step on people’s toes. They may not have been liked so well, but the competition amongst them was good for the industry. The cattle buying fraternity is a special circle of people, and there are many more that I have not named who operate very strong buying businesses and successful auction markets. They all are highly competitive and are risk takers. Some are better at hedging their bets, and some have lost it all. Cattle producers can be either highly complementary of them, very negative about them, or don’t know them at all nor understand this segment of the industry. The reason that I am talking about these men at all is that over the years I have gotten to know all four of them. Honestly, I have had my moments with each of them, but we were able to put the differences aside, for the most part, and move on with a very professional relationship.

I knew Dell King before I got this job. As a matter of fact, he really was the person that recruited me and hired me for this job. Dell was a big supporter of BQA and the load lot

feeder calf sales. His business, which specialized in moving thousands of head of southeastern feeder cattle, was based out of Hopkinsville. I mainly knew him as he was a big name in the Alabama board sales.

Gene Barber and his bother Larry along with Austin Paul operated Eugene Barber and Son’s, one of the larger order buying firms in the country. They also owned Blue Grass Stockyards in partnership with several different partners on more than one occasion. However, Gene Barber was the front man and the voice for the Blue Grass organization. Today, the Blue Grass group owns seven different auction markets and has business deals with other markets across the eastern U.S. Gene Barber also backgrounded and fed several thousand cattle in multiple states.

When I first came to this job, Eastern Livestock in Louisville was the largest in terms of cattle movement. In this job, I am in a position to see auction market and buyer numbers. I was amazed when I saw the numbers and the states where Eastern shipped cattle. Eastern moved from Louisville to across the river in New Albany, Indiana. I had gotten to know Tommy Gibson and his sons on a first name basis. One of the hardest days that I have had working for KCA was the day that I had to make the call to put Eastern in bankruptcy. But it was not as hard as the calls that I had to handle from the people that got bad checks. Going through that bankruptcy was one of the lessons that they don’t teach you in animal science classes in college.

The first time I met Marshal Celsor, founder of CPC Livestock in Fountain Run, he was getting ready to receive a couple of loads of cattle. We were standing in a cattle pen that was basically in a shed−my head was about to hit the rafters. As we were talking, two semi-trucks came down the lane, backed up and started to unload. To be honest, they unloaded some of the most misfit cattle that I had ever seen.

The next time I was at CPC they had built a new barn with state-of-the-art cattle handling facilities. By my next visit they had started a new feed processing center. Today, they have a massive complex that handles cattle, feed, animal health products and equipment.

I guess my point is that I have been in a position to have known the players and watched the cattle buying industry evolve in Kentucky over 24 years. Today, we have new names in the business. It will be interesting to see how the next generation conducts business and how the money and cattle move.

CARROLL COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by Maggie

Turner

Carroll County cattlemen Terry Cauley, Mike Kelley and David Rowlett recently built a 100 ft.-by-150 ft. fence for the Carroll County 4-H garden club. The 4-H members are growing corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers and watermelon. This garden will give young people the opportunity to learn where their food comes from, the production process and even how to sell at their local farmers market.

Even though they are retired from careers at Kentucky Utilities, Cauley, Kelley and Rowlett run their own cattle operations and are very active in our local cattlemen’s group as well as other community organizations.

Terry is the president of the Carroll County Cattlemen’s, president of the Carroll County Extension Council, secretary of the State Extension Council, a member of the Agriculture Development Council and a member of the Carroll County 4-H Council. Mike is the secretary of the Carroll County Cattlemen’s and serves on the Soil Conservation Board. David is the chair of the Soil Conservation Board, a member of the Carroll County Cattlemen’s and a member of the Agriculture Development Council.

These members are very devoted to giving Carroll County farmers and youth as many opportunities as possible! Carroll County is so fortunate to have members of our community who are dependable, thoughtful and such wonderful role models!

CENTRAL KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION 61ST ANNUAL FALL SALE

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 1PM EDT

CENTRAL KY ANGUS SALES PAVILION

4 Miles NE of Danville just off of Highway 34 on Chenault Bridge Road and then Fork Church Road

GPS address: 2286 Fork Church Road, Lancaster, KY 40444

FEMALE OFFERING

COW/CALF PAIRS. Many with fall 2022 calves and calving again in fall 2023. Several with spring 2023 calves and rebred.

BRED COWS. Pregnancy tested. Many will have babies at side by sale date.

56th ANNUAL SATURDAY, APRIL SELLING: 70 Head 24 PREMIER BULLS: sell with a current 12 OPEN HEIFERS includes daughters 8 BRED HEIFERS: VERACIOUS, GAR 25 COWS WITH 10

LIVE INTERNET BIDDING THROUGH TOP SHELF AUCTIONS

HEIFERS. Spring and fall bred heifers plus some top notch AI sired open heifers. Live Internet Bidding through Top Shelf Auctions

BULL OFFERING

TopShelf-Auctions.com or call Dan Wells (740) 505-3843 Saturday, April 16, 2022 • 1:00 PM EST • Central Kentucky 4 miles NE of Danville on State Route 34 and then Chenault Bridge GPS Address: 2286 Fork Church Road, Lancaster, KY 40444

Sale Day Phone: (859) 238-3195 or (859) 583-0364 Auctioneer:

All are DNA tested for genomic enhanced EPDs and will sell with current BSEs. Many service aged.

Sale Day Manager: DIEVERT SALES SERVICE • Tim Dievert Danville, KY 40422 • (859) 238-3195 • tdievert@dievertsales.com

231st Sale Sponsored by the Central Kentucky Angus Association

This sale will feature large consignments from Belleview Farms at Somerset, KY, Cardinal Hill Farms at Glasgow, KY, and Roy Roberts Farms, Nancy, KY. This is the one and only sale that CKAA will sponsor this fall and it will take the place of the September Ladies Day Sale and the November registered bull and commercial female sale

Sale Sponsor: CENTRAL KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION

President: Adam Chunglo (Harrodsburg, KY) • Vice-President: Willie Goggin (Danville, KY) • Secretary: Joe Goggin (Danville, KY) • Past

TopShelf-Auctions.com or call Dan Wells (740) 505-3843

Watch September issue of COW COUNTRY for more details

235th overall sale sponsored by CENTRAL KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Sale Day Phone: (859) 238-3195 Or (859) 583-0364

Auctioneer: Alex Popplewell (270) 566-8822

Sale Manager: Dievert Sales Service • Tim Dievert

478 Dry Fork Road • Danville, KY 40422

tdievert@dievertsales.com

SALE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

Online catalogs available at www.dievertsales.com after 9-20-23

FAQs about the Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center

Nikki Whitaker Director of Operations & Policy

Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the proposed Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center.

In 2019, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association completed a Long-Range Plan that assessed the challenges and opportunities facing the Kentucky beef industry, crafting objectives that would align its resources over the next five years.

What is the project?

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation with support from members of the Livestock Coalition (KLC) have proposed the construction of a Livestock Innovation Center at the University of Kentucky C. Oran Little Research Center to educate and train those currently involved in livestock agriculture and to encourage the involvement of others.

This space will be a central coordinating point and key resource for the livestock industry in Kentucky; its construction will be an asset for livestock owners across the eastern United States and will elevate the image of Kentucky livestock worldwide.

The facility will also include a Culinary Training Center that will provide value-added and culinary development of Kentucky’s food processing, manufacturing, and retail industry.

Why is this facility needed?

It has become increasingly apparent that livestock agriculture in Kentucky needs a centralized location from which its commodity groups can work as a cohesive unit to safeguard the future of Kentucky agriculture.

Agriculture has been an integral part of the Kentucky economy for centuries. In 2022, Kentucky generated a record high $6.9 billion in agricultural cash receipts with livestock and products accounting for 53% of that total.

Compared to our neighbors in USDA’s Eastern Mountain Region, Kentucky boasts the largest number of farms (74,100) and largest area in farmland (12.9 million acres).

The value of Kentucky’s agricultural production and processing industries represents 6.1% of total state GDP and generated output worth approximately $25.1 billion and employs 45,024 workers. Total output for the entire agriculture industry topped $31.6 billion and employment totaled 138,612 workers. Dollars generated by these industries are re-spent within the local economy, bringing additional value to the state.

Despite the clear economic justification, Kentucky currently lacks a facility that will retain, recruit and advance the livestock industry sector. The Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center will provide a central location that focuses on all aspects of

Out of those objectives came the idea to create a “center” that would be a central coordinating point and key resource for the livestock industry in Kentucky. The facility would also include culinary training that would provide value-added and culinary development of Kentucky’s food processing, manufacturing, and retail industry. The concept of the “center” was presented and approved by the KCA

the production to consumer continuum - including animal handling and well-being, nutrition and health, food safety and security, value-added and culinary collaboration, and producer profitability.

What is included in the facility?

The proposed facility will be an estimated 34,000 square foot building encompassing both public and private spaces.

Culinary Training Center (public space)

The facility will include a meat fabrication room with an attached walk-in freezer and cooler that allows for demonstrations and trainings for students, retail and foodservice professionals, processors, chefs, and producers who sell direct to market. The meat fabrication room will be fully equipped with an overhead rail and tables for meat carcass breakdown demonstrations.

The demonstration kitchen will allow for food safety, preparation, marketing and culinary training. The demonstration kitchen will also provide a place to market, promote and educate the public on the benefits of animal protein, as well as demonstrate food safety through shelflife research and proper handling and storage techniques.

Instructional Space (public space)

Kentucky lacks a central, physical location for the livestock industry. The facility will provide a subdividable and flexible instructional space. This facility, with its advanced technologic capabilities, meeting spaces, unrestricted parking and proximity to the state capital, provides a central location for the organization of statewide incident response.

Offices (private space)

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) and the Kentucky Pork Producers Association (KPPA) will be headquartered at the Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center. Space is available for additional agriculture organizations to be headquartered at the facility.

Where will the facility be located?

This facility will be located at the University of Kentucky C. Oran Little Research Center in Versailles. The LRC location is easily accessible from both I-75 and I-64 and is centrally located in the beef and forage belts of Kentucky.

board in September 2020.

Since then, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation, with partnerships from the Kentucky Livestock Coalition and the University of Kentucky, have proposed the construction of a Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center at the UK C. Oran Little Research Center in Woodford County.

Who will maintain the facility?

The overall operation and annual maintenance of this facility will be managed by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation, a Kentucky 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 1993. Currently, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation maintains the headquarters of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association.

The University of Kentucky has agreed to a prorated annual fee to the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation to cover shared maintenance and utilities. All industry groups who rent or utilize the building will pay a fair share fee, including the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and its entities. Additionally, recurring programmatic costs will be supported through state and federal resources, including industry checkoffs.

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association is one of the most diverse, successful, and innovative state cattle organizations in the nation. Not only does the organization serve as a voice for Kentucky’s beef cattle industry and effectively promote beef to Kentucky consumers, but it has also leveraged the use of Ag Development Funds to educate and equip Kentucky farm families to establish and improve their beef cattle operations. A $2.5 million total commitment has been approved as an upfront investment by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and the Kentucky Pork Producers to furnish the Culinary Training Center and office space as well as a yearly reoccurring investment through programing and maintenance.

What is the University of Kentucky’s role in this facility?

It has been shown that university-industry partnerships are essential to grow the next generation of a highly trained workforce, resulting in economic benefits (job growth, business growth and profitability).

Universities provide industry specific research and a ready pool of graduate and undergraduate students. In return, industry can conduct essential workforce training that is not available in classroom courses. Collaborations provide a strengthening of the entire industry for local and regional economic development.

This will be the partnership between the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Kentucky livestock industry.

Ultimately, the development of a private-public partnership would consist of two separate buildings: the Livestock Innovation Center, which would serve as a key resource for industry through continuing education and training, and a UK Meats and Foods Workforce Development Center, which would provide innovative and modern “hands-on” training and research for workforce development for the processing industry. Strategically, these facilities will complement and synergize the livestock industry in Kentucky.

What programming ROI will come out of the facility?

The priority of the facility is to ensure that Kentucky’s animal agriculture industry is competitive in a changing and demanding marketplace.

The facility will create a cohesive space in which existing programming by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and members of the Kentucky Livestock Coalition can combine with research being completed at UK's Animal Research Center (ARC). This joint educational effort will allow the agricultural commodity groups to focus and enhance producer and food system sustainability.

The following audiences will directly benefit from this facility:

PRODUCERS

Many programs currently exist to benefit livestock producers in Kentucky and support investments made by the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund. These include:

• Master Cattleman

• Master Grazer

• Sheep Profit School

• Sheep Shearing School

• Livestock Investigation Training

• Beef Quality and Care Assurance

• Backgrounding Stocker Profitability

• Cow-Calf Profitability

Enhancing these programs focused on Kentucky farm families and developing new programing utilizing research obtained at the livestock units at the C. Oran Little Research Center, will result in increased economic gain and a more efficient Kentucky livestock industry.

Additionally, a comprehensive animal disease traceability system is Kentucky livestock industry’s best protection against a devastating disease outbreak. Last year, the Kentucky Pork Producers Association enrolled 50% of Kentucky’s swine herd in AGVIEW, a free online system that provides disease status updates and pig movement data to state animal health officials. Working with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Office of State Veterinarian, this facility will ensure Kentucky’s livestock producers are well equipped for rapid response when animal disease events take place.

PROCESSING

Kentucky is home to over 40 USDA certified processors. In the past three years, many small and mid-sized processors have expanded their operations and increased their processing of Kentucky animals through the Meat Processing Investment Program, which was supported by the

Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund. However, workforce training, skilled labor, food safety training and technical assistance are still lacking. Working with the UK Meats and Foods Workforce Development Center, the Livestock Innovation Center will be designed to meet those needs and will provide workforce development that would help secure the long-term viability of these businesses. Examples include:

• USDA and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certifications

• Human resources training workshops

• Occupational health, safety and ergonomics training programs

• Environment and water quality control trainings

FOOD & RETAIL

Today’s consumer is increasingly removed from farming and food production but has taken heightened interest in how their food is produced. Chefs, chef educators and waitstaff serve as the face of our products. The facility, through the culinary training center, will be able to increase demand for Kentucky livestock products and provide supply chain partners with the knowledge and tools to increase animal protein sales, provide consumers with new and exciting animal protein options, and answer questions concerning the livestock community and animal products.

For example, in 2022 the Kentucky Beef Council welcomed more than 175 Bluegrass Hospitality Group chefs, management and waitstaff as they learned about the beef lifecycle, animal welfare and farm production practices. Similarly, the Kentucky Pork Producers Association engaged with over 31,000 consumers at in person events or through social media campaigns to connect consumers with swine producers in the Bluegrass. Programs like these help food and retail professionals become more emersed in the livestock industry. This facility will also serve as a central location for hosting export market buyers and governmental delegations to highlight Kentucky’s agricultural products.

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

The facility will host workshops that educate health care providers on the benefits of Kentucky’s agriculture products to human health. In 2021, nutrition education was provided to approximately 8,000 nursing, nutrition and dietetics technicians, and health education students as well as dietetic interns and health professionals through the Kentucky Beef Council.

Recently, the University of Kentucky’s College of

Agriculture, Food and Environment announced a new Food As Health Alliance. This program is designed to educate dietitians on the healthfulness of Kentucky’s agriculture products and further link good health practices to good nutrition. This facility will foster a collaborative environment, bringing together clinical and community researchers in the agriculture, food and health industries.

STUDENTS

This facility will be a showcase for Kentucky’s livestock and agriculture industry for students across the commonwealth. It will foster programs to prepare students for leadership positions in agriculture, meat production and food manufacturing industries, and regulatory professions. It will also engage students from other learning pathways into the agricultural industry.

The programming and instruction that take place inside this building will further enhance the efforts of the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Mobile Science Activity Center, which seek to educate K-12 students about agriculture and its importance to Kentucky.

This facility will allow for ongoing engagement with the more than 150 FFA chapters found in Kentucky, as well as with 4-H groups, breed association youth and agriculture students nationwide. It will also allow the expansion of events with the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association and Junior Swine Program.

Additionally, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation will create an Ag Talent and Career Module to encourage more agriculture and non-agriculture student participation at the farm. Currently, the ability to encourage non-ag student participation at the farm is limited.

Who is funding this facility?

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation is asking the Kentucky General Assembly for $22 million to cover the cost of construction of the facility and the site development.

Land will be secured through a public private partnership between the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation. Working with UK Legal and UK Real Estate, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation has entered an 80-year land-lease negotiation with UK CAFE to site the facility on 15 acres of the Woodford County farm.

JANUARY 2000

APRIL 2002

Master cattleman program scheduled to begin in May

An educational program funded by tobacco settlement funds will position beef producers to be top producers, marketers and industry leaders. The Master Cattleman educational program was funded through the Kentucky Beef Network with tobacco settlement money, and schools will be starting in May.

JULY 2000

SEPTEMBER 2000

KCA Membership ends with record high 5,032 members.

OCTOBER 2000

NOVEMBER 2000

UK opens beef industry research unit in Woodford County.

JULY 2001

State beef network planned

The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association has received a $1.8 million grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board to establish the Kentucky Beef Network. The Kentucky Beef Network will help coordinate and facilitate a statewide system of partnerships between agencies and individuals who are working together to build on an already thriving beef industry in Kentucky and to also help farmers who have relied heavily on tobacco in the past.

AUGUST 2001

“I’m excited about the program,” said Alison Sexten, program coordinator. “It’s a uniform program but is flexible enough to take into account differences in areas of the state such as with forages." Sexten was hired by UK to coordinate the program and is housed at the Kentucky Cattlemen Association's office in Lexington.

DECEMBER 2000

UK receives research grant; creates Five-State Beef Initiative.

2000

Stockyard holds Kentucky’s first Internet cattle auction Kentucky beef producers got a glimpse yesterday of what technology might do for their tradition-bound business. More than 8,000 head of cattle were sold yesterday at the Bluegrass Stockyards, but many of them never set a hoof in the auction ring, and some weren’t even in Kentucky. And most of the potential buyers weren’t there either.

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST 2001

2001

Cattlemen press to re-open Dawson Baker packing plant.

Agricultural Development Board Named. Larry Clay appointed.

Cow Country News moves from KY Communications to KCA office with Lee Clark as Editor.

Governor Paul Patton invites KCA Officers to Governors Mansion for lunch to discuss future of cattle industry in Kentucky.

2002

KBN opens five Custom Weaning/ Backgrounding Centers across the state, later opening a sixth in Logan County.

JANUARY 2003

Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association Initiated

FEBRUARY 2003

Collaboration to help market Kentucky farm products

The state Agricultural Development Board gave the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association a two-year, $1.93 million grant to fund a joint marketing effort between the cooperative, the Kentucky Beef Council, the Kentucky Pork Producers and General Electric Appliances.

JANUARY 2004

State’s inventive tracking system could help a nation that’s suddenly nervous about cattle

“We’re the first state that has gotten this close to implementation of a total program,” Jim Akers said. A Kentucky Beef Network research project begun this fall is tagging 8000 cattle on 80 to 90

NOVEMBER 2003

Kentucky farmers move to cattle, find good prices

Kentucky is dwarfed by Western states that routinely produce twice as much cattle. And for years, Kentucky's highly lucrative tobacco fields overshadowed cattle and other less profitable livestock. But with a decline in smoking rates and imports of cheaper overseas tobacco, growers have faced sizable cuts in the amount of leaf the federal government allows them to raise. From 1997 to 2002, Kentucky's effective burley quota plummeted from 556 million pounds to 225 million pounds. As a result, cattle are taking on a new significance.

DECEMBER 2003

WASHINGTON MAD COW CASE NO CAUSE FOR WORRY THEY SAY

Fallout on Kentucky cattle industry from the country first possible case of mad cow disease was uncertain, some beef producers said yesterday.

The federal government announced late Tuesday that a cow from the state of Washington had tested positive for the disease. Tissue samples from the cow, slaughtered Dec 9, were sent to England for more testing.

JUNE

2004

Southeastern Livestock Network Formed

The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association has applied with the Kentucky State Board of Agriculture for a statewide referendum asking beef producers to approve an increase in the state checkoff assessment that would be collected if the national beef promotion program is discontinued.

The cattlemen's association proposes increasing the mandatory assessment for the Kentucky program from 25 cents to $1 per head. The increase would take effect at the moment the federal program ends.

The Atkins diet gained widespread popularity in 2003 and 2004, with Atkins' book becoming one of the top 50 best-selling books in history, and as many as 1 in 11 North American adults claiming to be following it.

SEPTEMBER

2005

Cattlemen’s Association accepts donations for Katrina farmers.

First KJCA Fall Classic

On September 17, in Shelbyville, the first annual KJCA Fall Classic brought youth as far as Bowling Green to participate.

NOVEMBER 2005

USDA will require premises registration and animal identification by January 2008.

APRIL 2006

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation pays off mortgage on Pasadena Drive property.

JANUARY

The

is

USDA PVP

The Kentucky Beef Network begins coordinating training under the new USDA process verified program, or PVP. The PVP program allows producers to market CPH45 cattle as export verified. This is one of two mechanisms the other being the qualified system assessment to satisfy the beef export verification requirements enacted in December 2005, concerning the export of beef, primarily to Asian rim markets such as Japan and Korea. Because these countries have placed age restrictions on imported beef, the age of the animal must be auditable back to live production records on the farm of birth. No one except the person who helped the cow while it calved the animal can make the claim of age on that animal. There are simple ways for a producer to meet that requirement.

First NYBLS trip

Five students from across the state of Kentucky attended a four day beef symposium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln last November. The five Kentucky students were mixed in with students from across Nebraska. This trip was sponsored by the Kentucky Beef Network.

Students: James Riddell, Kyle Porter, Amanda Arnold, Kendall Corbin, Trent Shirley

SEPTEMBER 2008

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association will offer the first ever Beef Bash, a unique field day for Kentucky beef cattle producers, on Sept. 23, at the Research and Education Center in Princeton.

Healthy Beef Cookbook

released, a collaboration between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the American Dietetic Association.

APRIL 2009

JUNE 2009 Initiative helps youths buy heifers, build interest in cattle

A new initiative launched by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and Farm Credit Services of Mid America will help ensure Kentucky’s youths continue to have a vested interest in the cattle industry.

The Beef Checkoff offers a new e-learning opportunity developed to assist producers across the country in becoming effective spokespersons for the industry.

Journalist, restauranteurs, retailers, dieticians, and legislators joining Kentucky cattle producers for the first ever “Meat” Your Neighbor tour hosted by the Kentucky Beef Council. The tour was scheduled in observance of Earth Day so that people interested in learning where their food comes from could tour four cattle farms in Central Kentucky. 2009

Growth of the Association:

2000 - 5,032 Members

2001 - 4,898 Members

2002 - 5,833 Members

2003 - 5,916 Members

2004 - 6,290 Members

2005 - 7,462 Members

2006 - 8,002 Members

2007 - 8,631 Members

2008 - 9,237 Members

2009 - 8,526 Members

See more in our September issue, as we explore KCA history into the 2010s!

2009 Beef Month Proclamation

Alison Smith teaches kids about beef at the State Fair

Pinkeye Prevention Begins Long Before the First Bad Eye of the Season

Michelle Arnold, DVM (Ruminant Extension Veterinarian, UKVDL)

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis or “pinkeye” is a costly and exasperating disease for the beef producer and industry. For the producer, the economic costs of pinkeye include lower average weaning weights, treatment and labor costs, and discounts received for calves with corneal scars. Despite ongoing research to combat this disease, prevention has proven difficult because it is a complicated interaction of pathogens (bacteria), host (cow/calf), and environmental factors that result in pinkeye’s development and fast spread. Close observation of the herd allows early recognition and prompt treatment of affected eyes, resulting in better healing and less transmission to herd mates. However, preventing a pinkeye outbreak does not start with the first bad eye of the season. Once pinkeye cases begin, it is highly contagious. The bacterial pathogens spread rapidly by direct contact and mechanical vectors, especially face flies. In an outbreak, on average 10% of calves and 3% of cows in a herd are affected in 30 days or less. Although there are knowledge gaps in our understanding of immunity in the bovine eye, prevention starts early by maximizing the herd’s ability to fight disease, and through reduction of sources of eye irritation, injury and transmission. Pinkeye prevention for individual herds is best accomplished with the help of your local veterinarian because there is no “one size fits all” approach to control.

Recent research is changing much of what we thought we knew about the bacterial cause of pinkeye (the “pathogen”). Previously, the cause was thought to be the bacterium Moraxella bovis (M. bovis) because in research trials, it was the only bacterium grown from diseased eyes that resulted in pinkeye when placed in healthy calves’ eyes. However, it is

now understood M. bovis colonizes the eyes at birth or shortly after, so M. bovis is part of the normal flora (the “microbiome”) of the eye. Cattle are the only known reservoir of M. bovis, and adult cows harbor this organism year-round without problems. Moraxella bacteria have two known virulence factors, pili and cytotoxin, and once these factors are “switched on,” M. bovis changes from a harmless inhabitant to an aggressive pathogen. Pili are hairlike projections on the bacterial surface that enable attachment to a damaged or injured cornea. Cytotoxin is a “poison” released by the bacterium that kills corneal surface cells and the white blood cells recruited to fight infection in the eye, resulting in erosions that coalesce to form a corneal ulcer. After these virulence factors are triggered, these “hot” bugs are spread to herd mates and can cause full-blown pinkeye within 24 hours of infection. New molecular diagnostic techniques including PCR and next generation sequencing are now being used to analyze the DNA of other organisms present in normal and diseased eyes to get a better understanding of how each contributes to disease and to aid in vaccine development. The latest studies reveal that two more organisms, Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma bovoculi, are found in over 90% of pinkeye cases. Moraxella bovoculi is an extremely diverse bacterium that also has pili and cytotoxin, and it carries multiple genes that code for antibiotic resistance. To make the picture even more complicated, there are genetically distinct strains of Moraxella bovoculi that do not play any role in pinkeye. Mycoplasma bovoculi causes low level corneal irritation and damage but does not have pili or toxin. Because of this complex mixture of organisms, it is difficult to make an effective, protective vaccine against the pathogens associated with

pinkeye.

Host factors that contribute to pinkeye development include poor nutrition, trace mineral deficiencies, inadequate hydration, sub-par vaccination status, having a white face and genetics. Meeting nutritional requirements, providing vitamins and trace minerals, establishing a comprehensive vaccination program including the respiratory viral disease infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, and parasite control are all exceptionally important in improving the animal’s ability to fight pinkeye. There is no scientific evidence to support feeding excessive levels of any vitamin or mineral, including vitamin A, will prevent eye diseases. However, if trace mineral levels (especially selenium and copper) are very low in an animal, immune function is severely impaired. Cool, clean drinking water (instead of stagnant creek or pond water) is critical because intake is greater with clean water. This helps provide plenty of fluid to protect the corneal surface. Adequate fluid is especially important in dry, dusty and/or windy conditions. Mucosal immunity in the eye depends on hydration for tear production. Tears are essential to wash away pathogens and tear proteins include antibodies to fight infection. Do not forget to regularly check and clean automatic waterers, especially in the summer. White-faced cattle, particularly Herefords, are more prone to develop pinkeye, likely due to reflection of ultraviolet radiation. Reported heritability of pinkeye is low to moderate so any control with genetics will be slow, at best.

Environmental factors contributing to pinkeye are those that can irritate or injure the eye’s corneal surface and predispose the eye to infection. These factors include UV rays, face flies, dust, seed heads and tall weeds. UV

VetPestX - Pesticides for Control of Insect Pests of Animals Figure 1: Screenshot of the Veterinary PestX Database dashboard

INSECTICIDE IMPREGNATED EAR TAGS Active Ingredients MOA Group Brand Names

15% coumaphos + 35% diazinon 1B

Corathon; 2 tags

coumaphos + diazinon 1B Co-Ral Plus; 1 tag for horn fly, 2 tags for fly suppression

20% pirimifos-methyl 1B Dominator; 2 tags

20% diazinon 1B Optimizer/X-Terminator

40% diazinon 1B Patriot; 2 tags

permethrin 3A

Atroban Extra, Apollo, Deckem, Ear Force, Gard Star Plus, New Z Permethrin, Permectrin Insecticide Ear Tags, Super Deckem II (10%); 2 tags

beta-cyfluthrin 3A CyLence Ultra (8%) CyGuard 15%; 2 tags

10% zeta-cypermethrin 3A

PYthon MagnuM, ZetaGard; 1 tag

10% lambda-cyhalothrin 3A Saber Extra, Excalibur; 2 tags

radiation promotes formation of “dark cells” in the cornea; these are damaged cells that are targets of M. bovis attachment. Dust particles, seed heads, tall weeds and sharp stubble can scratch the corneal surface. Face flies irritate eyes when feeding with abrasive blotting mouthparts that rasp, scrape and penetrate the conjunctival tissues, triggering tears and mucus production that feed the insects. Bacteria in the secretions of pinkeye-infected cattle can survive on or in face flies for two to three days and infect other animals when the flies feed again. Cattle display fly avoidance behaviors including head throws, tail flicks and bunching together with heads directed inward when face flies feed. Preventing eye damage with good face fly control, removing seed heads and weeds by mowing, and by providing shade for UV protection reduces the opportunity for pinkeye to strike.

Face fly control is challenging and is not the same as horn fly control. Face flies are “blotters” that feed on tears instead of “piercers” that feed on blood as horn flies do. Fly control methods that depend on insecticides delivered in the bloodstream have no effect on face fly numbers. Face flies spend only a few minutes at a time on or around the head, which is a difficult area to protect. They are also strong fliers and may move two miles or more during their life, so they can easily transfer pinkeye from herd-to-herd and farm-to-farm. Face flies can be partially controlled with feed-through insecticides such as IGRs (insect growth regulators), offered in feed or mineral that takes advantage of the fact that both horn fly and face fly females lay their eggs in fresh manure. IGRs can reduce the number of fly maggots developing to adults, provided the IGR is started early enough and cattle consume a sufficient daily dose. IGRs should be started in mid-spring, 30 days prior to fly season, and removed 30 days after fly season is over. Supplemental adult fly control is still needed to control adult flies moving in from nearby herds. Adult face flies can be somewhat controlled with

repellents and insecticides applied directly to the face and eyes of cattle. Insecticide impregnated ear tags or forced-use dust bags provide the most consistent reductions in face fly numbers. Back rubbers with fly flyps or fly bullets tied at 4-to-6-inch intervals along their length and placed in forced-use areas like mineral feeders or entrances to water sites will consistently deliver insecticide to the face. The goal is to reduce face flies to less than 10 flies per head. The Veterinary PestX Database (Figure 1), available at https:// www.veterinaryentomology.org/vetpestx, is a tremendous resource to identify insecticide ear tags, dusts, feed-throughs, pour-ons, sprays, and premise treatments and their mode of action (MOA) group to control

almost any type of cattle pest (see Figure 2). Fly control products must be rotated annually to a different MOA to preserve effectiveness. Repeatedly exposing face flies to insecticides in the same MOA group or to sublethal doses and killing most, but not all flies, allows survivors to develop resistance to all insecticides within the same MOA group. That genetic resistance can then be passed to their progeny. If fly control methods do not seem to be working and the concept of MOAs is unfamiliar, a three-minute YouTube video at https://youtu.be/pS7pxpTwMoQ from CropLife International and the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee explains how to use the MOA group to preserve available insecticides and acaricides. Visit https://iraconline.org/ for more information.

While fly tags can be an effective method to reduce face flies, it is important to use two tags (one in each ear) for optimal control of face flies. Some manufacturers offer “insecticide cattle strips” that can be slipped onto the shaft of an existing ID tag, alleviating the need for two tags in one ear. Look for products that “control” face flies, instead of those that “aid in control” and observe the length of time control of face flies is expected. Additional insecticide products will be needed for late season fly control when the tags begin to lose effectiveness. Read the fly tag labels carefully; some directions warn “calves less than 3 months of age should not be tagged as ear damage may result.” All insecticide ear tags should be removed at the end of the season to

Figure 2: Example of Mode of Action (MOA) groups. The group number represents the MOA followed by a letter that relates to chemical structure. In the example above, there are two different MOA groups [1B (organophosphates), and 3A (synthetic or synergized pyrethroids)].

Figure 3: Example of fly tag rotation system (Y-tex Corporation). [UK does not specifically endorse any fly control product; example above is for illustration only]

Macrocyclic Lactone

Synergized Pyrethroid

Synergized Pyrethroid & Macrocyclic Lactone

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

decrease development of resistance, and, most importantly, rotate fly tags to a different mode of action (MOA) each year (see Figure 3)! Other non-chemical fly control methods can prove useful such as sticky fly traps placed around high animal traffic areas, or wherever livestock congregate in pastures (Figure 4). There are reports that garlic powder mixed in mineral helps reduce face fly numbers although there is little research to verify the amount required for its success.

Early detection of animals with the first clinical signs of pinkeye (excessive tearing, squinting, and blinking) and then prompt, effective treatment is essential to reducing spread to herd mates and limiting scar formation in the eye.

Long-acting prescription antibiotics such as long-acting oxytetracycline (LA-300®) or tulathromycin (Draxxin®) are specifically labeled for pinkeye treatment. If those two antibiotics lose effectiveness, a veterinarian may prescribe florfenicol (Nuflor®), ceftiofur (Excede®), or other antibiotics to be used in an extra-label manner for treatment. Injectable antibiotics are considered the best option

because of their long duration of activity and effectiveness in eliminating bacteria, enabling the cornea to heal. Other remedies may reduce pain and allow the eye to heal but the bacteria can be shed for weeks if not eliminated. When severe ulceration exists, the cornea may need extra protection with either a patch, a third eyelid flap, or the eyelids may need to be sutured (stitched) together. Remember, preventing spread by recognizing and treating affected animals as soon as they show the first symptoms is crucial in controlling a disease outbreak. Active cases of pinkeye with excessive tearing attract flies that widely spread the aggressive bacteria. Additionally, topical application of a fly repellant to the face of an affected animal and quarantine away from the herd will also help reduce spread. Pinkeye vaccines, whether commercial or autogenous (custom-made), will usually help reduce the number of affected animals or lessen the severity of clinical signs but cannot be completely relied upon to prevent pinkeye. Immune responses to pinkeye vaccines have been shown to be protective in some studies where animals are vaccinated with pili of a certain type and then challenged with a similar strain. A high degree of diversity among genes coding for pili is likely

responsible for why some herds might see a benefit from vaccination while other herds do not; if the vaccine strain stimulates immunity to a pilus type that is also present in the herd, there should be good protection. In clinical trials, approximately half reported significant protection from commercial pinkeye vaccines. When commercial vaccines are ineffective, an “autogenous” or custom-formulated vaccine can be manufactured from bacteria cultured from pinkeye cases from one farm or many farms within a certain area. To make a vaccine, all samples for bacterial culture must be taken early in the course of disease; preferably when the eye is just beginning to tear excessively and before any medications are used. These autogenous vaccine formulations, especially those that include M. bovoculi antigens, often show beneficial results in the field. Autogenous vaccines do lose effectiveness within one to two years as mutations and unpredictable recombinations create new bacterial strains and a new batch of vaccine must be made from new cultures. Timing is very important with pinkeye vaccine administration. Peak immunity occurs one to two weeks after the booster (second) dose and most vaccines require two doses, one to two weeks apart. Therefore, the optimal pinkeye vaccine program must begin four to six weeks before ‘pinkeye season’ starts.

In summary, pinkeye is one of the most common diseases of cattle and is of major economic importance to Kentucky cattle producers. Although research is ongoing to understand this complex disease, the keys to prevention and control of pinkeye still rely on the basics of maximizing the herd’s immune status, face fly control and maintaining as irritant-free environment as possible. Vaccines, either commercial or autogenous, will help but cannot be completely relied upon to prevent pinkeye. Once cases begin, antibiotic treatment decisions are best made with your veterinarian who will consider effectiveness and cost of the antibiotic, withholding times and provide a prescription for the product. For more information on insect control, ask your county extension agent for the UK Extension Publication “ENT-11: Insect Control for Beef Cattle”.

Figure 4: Fly trap made with fly paper wrapped around a protein tub with chicken wire, placed near water and mineral sites. Photo courtesy of Gregg Brann, Grazing Specialist, TACD, and Synergistic Grazing Management Consultant [https://gregbrann.com]

Figure 5: Corneal ulceration in the early stages of pinkeye. Photo from Veterinary Clinics of North America, Food Animal Practice 26 (2010), page 489

Don’t skimp on the paper.

Not all “Angus” bulls are

Having

Veatch Farms Wins 2023 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award

Veatch Farms of Campbellsville is the recipient of the 2023 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award®.

The prestigious award, given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation and management of natural resources by American farmers, ranchers and forestland owners in 27 states.

In Kentucky, the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and state partners: Kentucky Agricultural Council and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts.

Donald Veatch received $10,000 and a crystal award at the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Convention in Bowling Green on July 11.

Veatch established and implemented several conservation practices at this Marion County beef cattle and grain farm to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.

Among the many outstanding Kentucky landowners nominated for the award were finalists Steve and Melanie Kelley of Bardwell in Carlisle County, and Mike and Tammy Wilson of Lawrenceburg in Anderson County. The 2022 recipient was Reddick Farms of Bardwell in Carlisle County.

The Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support and partnership of American Farmland Trust, Kentucky Agricultural Council, Kentucky Association of

Conservation Districts, Sand County Foundation, Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Credit Mid-America, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Pork Producers, Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Woodland Owner’s Association and Kentucky Tree Farm Committee. For more information on the award, visit www. leopoldconservationaward.org.

ABOUT VEATCH FARMS

Ever since his mother helped him win a conservation district’s essay contest, Donald Veatch has been quick to share the credit for his conservation successes.

As a boy, he came to appreciate the uniqueness of Central Kentucky’s farmland thanks to his grandparents, Gilbert and Exie Shively. They farmed in a region nicknamed “the lagoon” for its river bottoms and prehistoric beginnings as a lake.

Veatch says the public debate over erecting a dam that would have returned his family’s farmland to a lake made an impression on him. So did this simple rule from his father who farmed and worked as a county conservationist: “Never allow a gulley on the farm.”

Veatch and his son Josh grow corn, wheat, and soybeans, and raise beef cattle in the lagoon. The farm is dissected by a creek with topography ranging from wet bottomland to steep hillsides. Veatch has implemented a variety of conservation practices to prevent soil erosion, improve water quality and increase the amount of soil organic matter.

More than 30 years ago during a drought, Veatch first experimented with no-till practices to increase his soil’s capacity to filter water. He later began growing cover crops of wheat, grasses, radishes and sweet clover. He quickly saw the benefits of not disturbing the soil and keeping fields continuously green and growing.

The cropland at Veatch Farms has developed the dual resilience of retaining water during dry spells and withstanding heavy rains with little or no erosion. Likewise, the soil’s health has improved thanks to an integrated pest management system and annual soil tests that monitor soil nutrient levels.

Timber is treated like a crop at Veatch Farms. The use of timberland stand improvement practices on woodland acres restricts the growth of invasive species. This allows more desirable species such as oak, walnut and maple to have a larger share of the forest canopy.

Veatch sees trees as a renewable resource with economic and environmental benefits. He’s planted trees along the curves of his farm’s creek to stabilize soil and mitigate flooding. The trees compliment the wide grass buffer strips he’s established. Portions of the farm are also enrolled in the federal Conservation Stewardship Program to create habitat for wildlife, birds and insect pollinators.

Beef cattle at Veatch Farms are not allowed access to its ponds, creeks and forests. By rotationally grazing the herd, grass is allowed to grow taller, which helps slow water runoff.

Veatch has a passion for sharing his conservation ethic and knowledge with those who want to learn how to care for their own land. He’s a longtime member of Marion County’s Agriculture Development, Farm Bureau and Conservation District boards. His peers say his willingness to voice his opinion on conservation comes from knowledge and wisdom.

Veatch Farms regularly employs students enrolled in a school-to-work program. The instructor of the course was so inspired after reading Leopold’s “A Sand County Almanac,” that they asked Donald for assistance in developing a high school conservation class. At the time, neither the teacher nor Veatch realized he had been nominated for an award named in honor of Leopold.

The boy from Kentucky’s lagoon has come a long way since winning a conservation essay contest.

by CRR 109 Catapult 322. Mated A.I. April 20 to SHF Houston D287 H086.

OPEN & BRED HEIFERS, SPRING & FALL CALVING COWS, EMBRYOS

NCBA FILES LEGAL MOTION TO STRIKE DOWN BIDEN WOTUS RULE

WASHINGTON (June 29, 2023) – Last night, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and litigation partners filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas asking the court to strike down the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA.

“In Sackett v. EPA, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the EPA had overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “A full rewrite of the Biden administration’s WOTUS definition is the only path to comply with the Sackett decision. NCBA is seeking summary judgement in our lawsuit against the Biden WOTUS rule and urging the Southern District of Texas to strike the rule from the books.”

The Sackett case was not directly about agriculture, but the plaintiffs in the case were harmed by the EPA’s overregulation on WOTUS. NCBA filed an amicus brief before the Supreme Court siding with the Sackett family in their lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers. Ultimately, points raised in NCBA’s brief were incorporated in the justice’s final opinion, demonstrating the importance of NCBA joining the fight on this issue.

Separate from the Sackett case, NCBA and a coalition of litigation partners also filed their own lawsuit against the Biden administration’s WOTUS rule to block it from taking effect. NCBA secured injunctions in 27 states to temporarily halt the rule. Now, NCBA is filing a motion for summary judgement to ask the court to rule on vacating the full Biden administration WOTUS rule based on the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Sackett case.

“NCBA has been fighting against overreaching WOTUS rules for years, and this is just the latest example of how NCBA fights on every front from Congress to the courtroom,” said Hart. “We are proud to be the voice of America’s cattle producers in Washington.”

YARDWORKS,

Improving Soil Health in Pastures & Hayfields

Chris Teutsch and John Grove UK Research and Education Center, Princeton

Fundamentally, soil health is about maintaining soil physical and chemical characteristics that support microbe, plant and grazing animal productivity. Good soil is a good “home” for microbial activity, plant growth and thereby supports grazing animals. The soil needs excellent physical structure; sufficient aggregation and porosity to capture and store/transmit needed water and oxygen for plant growth while supporting livestock weight. The soil also needs to have excellent operating utilities (pH, nutrient availability, low salinity, high organic matter, etc.) to support biological activity.

In last month’s article, we focused on assessing soil health in pastures and hayfields. This month, we want to provide practical management strategies that will help improve soil health. It is important to remember that when we talk about improving soil health there are both short- and long-term components. So, it is important to develop and implement a comprehensive plan. Below you will find practical things to consider as you develop your plan.

Take a traditional soil test. This is a relatively inexpensive tool for quantifying soil pH and macronutrient (P, K, Ca and Mg) availability. This test provides baseline data upon which you can build a solid soil fertility program. The goal of that program is to create a chemical environment in which desirable forage species can thrive.

Lime pastures according to soil test. Soil acidity is a major factor negatively impacting forage growth in the southeastern United States. Applying a good quality agricultural limestone neutralizes soil acidity, provides calcium and some magnesium, and increases the plant availability of other key soil nutrients (Figure 1). If your pastures or hayfields need lime, lime is by far the best investment you can make. Except for alfalfa, the pH in most hayfields and pastures should be maintained between 6.0 and 6.5.

Avoid soil amendments that sound too good to be true. There are several products on the market that make claims that are simply not true. One particular liquid calcium product claims to be both cheaper and as effective as lime at neutralizing soil acidity. We tested this product in 16 pastures and hayfields across the commonwealth. The results conclusively demonstrate that it does NOT neutralize soil acidity (Table 1). In fact, 12 months following application, liquid calcium had no effect on soil pH.

Apply needed nutrients, especially phosphorus and potassium. Having adequate P and K creates a chemical environment that allows soil microbes to thrive and desirable plants to

grow. Legume productivity and persistence in pastures and hayfields is closely linked to maintaining a good (but not excessive) level of soil fertility.

Encourage species diversity in pastures and hayfields. Legumes, grasses and forbs have different root system structures that can extract nutrients and water from different soil depths. For example, our primary cool-season grasses like tall fescue and orchardgrass have a fibrous root system that is largely located in the top 8-10 inches of soil. In contrast, legumes and some forbs have a taproot system which penetrates deeper into the soil. Having diverse root architectures optimizes use of soil and water resources, reduces compaction, and enhances aggregation, porosity (both quantity and quality) and soil organic matter formation and causes improved water infiltration. Encourage legumes in hayfields and pastures.

Legumes form a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria to extract nitrogen from the air and fix it into a plant available form. Having 20% to 40% legumes in pastures and hayfield reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer, promotes microbial growth and nutrient cycling, improves forage quality and animal performance, and helps mitigate the negative impact of the toxic endophyte found in tall fescue.

Minimize tillage. Tillage destroys soil structure, breaking up aggregates and reducing soil porosity (in the long-term). Tillage mixes residues with soil, microbes and additional oxygen, which enhances organic matter losses. Tillage also increases the likelihood of soil erosion. When possible, use no-till drills for establishing or renovating pastures and hayfields.

Utilize rotational stocking. Rotational

Table 1: Impact of liquid calcium, ag lime and pelleted lime on soil pH.

1. Letters in the same column that are different indicate significant differences in soil pH at the 90% level of confidence.

Figure 1: Impact of soil pH on plant nutrient availability. In most hayfields and pastures, soil pH should be maintained between 6.0 and 6.5.

stocking allows producers to manage how closely pastures are grazed and the length of time they are rested between grazing events. Research has shown that switching from continuous to rotational stocking increases pasture productivity by 30%. Rotational stocking also improves manure and urine distribution in pastures, enhancing nutrient cycling by soil microbial communities. Rotational stocking also offers opportunities to adjust animal traffic patterns to avoid associated soil erosion.

Always leave adequate residual forage growth. Never graze or mow pastures and hayfields closer than 4-5 inches. Close grazing reduces leaf area available to capture sunlight and carryout photosynthesis. This slows regrowth and reduces pasture productivity. In addition, close grazing modifies

the near-surface soil microclimate, increasing soil temperature and soil water loss (Figure 2). This creates a less hospitable environment for plant roots and much of the micro flora and fauna that live at or near the soil surface. Ultimately, improving soil health in pastures and hayfields boils down to:

1) maintaining cover over the soil at all times; 2) creating a physical and chemical soil environment in which desirable microbes can function and plants can thrive; 3) minimizing or eliminating tillage; and 4) managing grazing. These management practices promote above and below ground plant biomass accumulation, greater micro and macro flora and fauna activity at and below the soil surface, while maintaining – even improving – soil health.

FEATURED EVENTS

Kentucky Fall Grazing School

Versailles • September 27-28

Kentucky Fall Grazing Conference

“Low Stress Livestock Handling for Serious Graziers”

Elizabethtown and Lexington

October 31 and November 1

Kentucky Fencing Schools

Georgetown and Princeton

November 7 and 9

More information at https://forages.ca.uky.edu/Events.

FEATURED PUBLICATION

This month’s featured publication is: Principles for High Functioning Soils. UNLOCK THE SECRETS IN THE SOIL, USDA-NRCS. bit.ly/3NJoQlM

FEATURED VIDEO

This month’s featured video is The Power of Soil Life: Little Things Matter-Ray Archuleta. This presentation was given as part of the 2022 Fall Grazing Conferences titled "Profitable Grazing Systems from the Soil Up" held October 26-27 in Leitchfield and Winchester, respectively. https://youtu.be/WW6-RmmcA0o

FENCING TIP

Use high quality temporary fencing. Temporary fencing comes in a number of styles including polywire, electric tape, electric braid and polyrope. Electric tape should be used where high visibility is needed. Polywire is most commonly used by grazers since longer runs can be held on reels. When selecting polywire products, chose products that contain more strands of wire and for loner runs, choose products that contain wire made of mixed metals. Polywire containing mixed metals are about 40 times more conductive.

FORAGE MANAGEMENT TIPS

• Don’t graze cool-season pastures closer than 3 to 4 inches. This will help to lower crown temperature and reduce moisture loss from the soil.

• Graze summer annual and perennial pastures to allow cool-season pastures to rest and to avoid toxic tall fescue.

• Plant winter annuals after the first good rain in August.

• Plant alfalfa and other perennial cool-season grasses after the first good rain in August.

• Exclude livestock and apply 60 lb N/A in mid to late August for stockpiling.

• Use UK variety testing results to select varieties that will be planted in the fall.

• If drought occurs, confine animals to one pasture and feed hay.

Figure 2: Weekly clipping to a 1-inch residual height increased average crown temperature by almost 10ºF compared to weekly clipping to a residual height of 4.5-inches. Bars with the same letter are not different according to Fisher’s Protected Least Significant Difference

Eugene "Gene Mac" Barber, 84, passed away in the comfort of his Winchester home in the early morning hours of July 1.

From Hillsboro, Kentucky, Gene Mac was the eldest of two sons raised by Henry Eugene and Aetna Walton McRoberts Barber. From their humble beginnings, the Barbers would—through hard work and determination—forge a pathway for building not only one of the largest order-buying livestock businesses in the United States, Eugene Barber and Sons Cattle Company, but later, the Lexington Blue Grass Stockyards as it is known today.

In the 1970s, the Barber family partnered

with Kenneth Holt to purchase Blue Grass Stockyards from its original founders. Gene's family life also expanded around this time, as he married the love of his life, JoAnn Frances. What was once a small family unit of only Gene and his beloved daughter, Sandy Lou, was now a combined household with JoAnn's three children, Bob, Joannie and Patrick Buttram.

Over the ensuing years, Blue Grass Stockyards would grow into seven regional markets located across Central Kentucky, marketing upwards of 500,000 head of cattle annually. With JoAnn's support, Gene emerged as a leader in the industry, and in 1996 served as president of the National Livestock Marketing Association.

In January 2016, a devastating fire destroyed the Blue Grass Stockyard complex on Forbes Road in Lexington. Under Gene's leadership, a team of nine partners constructed the new Blue Grass Stockyards and Regional Marketplace, which opened in Lexington less than two years after the loss of the original stockyard. The new stockyard fulfilled Gene's

long-standing vision of an integrated livestock market and commercial business hub.

Gene was known for his devotion to his family, his love of animals and his unwavering integrity. Gene's customers could depend on his word and benefitted from his tireless efforts on their behalf. He was a stalwart ally to his loved ones, to whom he showed great affection and generosity.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Sandy. He is survived by his devoted wife, JoAnn, his three stepchildren, Joan, Bob and Patrick (Jamie) Buttram, his two granddaughters, Lauralee (Patrick) Estill and Molly Gene Crain, his two cherished great grandchildren, Francis and Mary Patrick Estill, his brother, Larry (Valerie)Barber, Larry's children, Laura Sue, Lee Ann, Larry Gene, and Laramie, his cousins, Deanie and Eric, and numerous grand nieces, and grand nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gene's memory to the Christview Christian Church, 3133 Boonesboro Road, Winchester, KY 40391. ■

Major Jerry Monroe Oak age 79, of Bedford, passed away on Monday, June 19 at Indian Creek Healthcare Center in Corydon, Indiana. He was born June 2, 1944, the son of Elmer B and Pauline Marie (Stethen) Oak at home in Eagle Station in Carroll County, Kentucky. He attended Locust School and Trimble County Schools. During the end of his senior year at Trimble County High School, his family moved to Henry County, where he graduated in 1962. Jerry was active in FFA and 4-H, attending the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago for his dairy project. He served as the FFA Regional Secretary. Following graduation, he attended Southeastern Christian College in Winchester, for 2.5 years where he played basketball. During this time, he joined the 138th FA BTR A National Guard unit in Carrollton. This unit was activated in 1965 and reported to Vietnam, serving his country there from 1968 to 1969. After returning from Vietnam,

he received a direct commission to Fort Sill, Oklahoma officer school.

Jerry retired with the rank of Major in the Kentucky National Guard after 21 years of service.

Jerry worked at the Charlestown Powder Plant in Indiana before enrolling at the University of Kentucky, majoring in agriculture education and animal science. While at UK, Jerry was a member of Block and Bridle, ATO fraternity and the UK Livestock Judging team.

Jerry began his teaching career in 1974 as an agricultural teacher and FFA advisor in Shelby County. In 1984, Jerry accepted the position as agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Trimble County High School and retired after 27 years of teaching.

On April 12, 1975, Jerry married Cecilia Sweeney at the Milton United Methodist Church. Jerry loved his family and his cows, John Wayne movies, Reba McEntire, UK basketball, and enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sports.

Jerry was a hard worker, helping his father milk their Holstein cows before his teaching day began. He raised alfalfa hay, tobacco, corn and strawberries. Jerry showed his Holsteins at shows across Kentucky and adjoining states, with “Dixie” winning Kentucky Grand Champion Aged Cow and Reserve Grand Champion at the Kentucky State Fair in 1985.

Following the sale of his Holsteins, he began a commercial Angus cow/calf operation. Jerry was a member of the Trimble County Cattlemen’s Association. He served on the county board of directors and as a regional director with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. He served on the Trimble County Farm Bureau Federation board of directors and was the president, from 2017-22. He was a member of the Sons of American Revolution, Clifty Chapter, past director on the Soil Conservation Board and Bedford Baptist Church.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Cecilia Oak; children: Stacy Oak Stockdale (Chris) of Owensboro, Sarah Oak of Carrollton, and Benjamin Oak of Bowling Green, his grandchildren: Clara, Cyrus and Celia Tuttle, and their father Chris Tuttle, all of Sanders, Kentucky, Matthew Biggin and Adalyn Oak, both of Carrollton; and step grandchildren Alex, Kaidhyn, and Lilhey Stockdale, all of Owensboro. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joan Oak Schnabel; his brother, Dalton Oak; and his granddaughter, Caroline Tuttle.

The Reverend Mark Payton will conduct the funeral services.

The family requests contributions be made to the Trimble County or Carroll County FFA programs. Cards will be available at the church. ■

Ideas From Eden Shale

Katie Pratt KCA Communications Manager

MAYSVILLE, KY − It’s nearly impossible to be a successful beef producer without a reliable water source. That’s the situation Mason County producer Wayne Morris found himself in when he purchased his farm 15 years ago. He knew it had to change.

“The only water source I had was a creek, and it only ran through one of my eight paddocks,” said Morris who raises 65 cow-calf pairs and between 80-100 feeder cattle every year at his Takin A Chance Farm.

Shortly after moving his operation to Mason County, Morris’ neighbor, the late Larry Phillips, told him about gravity-fed water system that he saw in cattle operations out West that captured rainwater off a barn. Morris installed a 1,200-gallon tank that captured water runoff from one side of his barn and ran it to two tire waterers. Most of his farm continued to be serviced by city water, and it was becoming too expensive for his growing operation.

“I decided to run feeder cattle, and the first water bill I got after bringing the cattle to the farm was $400,” he said. “With the volatility in the feeder market, those kinds of water bills would have taken nearly all of my profits.”

Morris went to Eden Shale Farm in Owen

County looking for answers during one of their open houses. The Kentucky Beef Networkmanaged farm is a demonstration farm for producers. Becky Thompson, director of the Kentucky Beef Network, said the goal is for producers to be able to relate to Eden Shale. “We farm on steep hillsides. Our barns have tin that has blown up from the latest round of severe weather. Our cows are not all the same breed,” Thompson said. “We want to level the playing field so the average producer feels comfortable coming here and learning.”

At Eden Shale, Morris realized how much more he could get from rainwater.

“Four years ago, I went to Eden Shale and saw their water tanks and knew this was the way I had to go,” he said.

Eden Shale’s barn watering system was installed by Steve Higgins, director of environmental compliance for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. It is just one of the water systems that Higgins has on display at Eden Shale to show producers ways they can harvest and filter rainwater for their animals. His demonstrations are designed to be relatively easy and inexpensive for most producers to implement.

“I want to show producers practical, economical ways that they can improve their animals’ environment and reduce the drudgery and stress that can come with some farm duties,” Higgins said.

Morris brought his father Rick Morris to Eden Shale to get another look at the water system. Afterwards, he purchased and installed three, 3,000-gallon water tanks to collect rainwater off his barn. Perched on a hilltop, Morris’ barn is centrally located and within easy access of six of his eight grazing paddocks. Its location makes the barn between 15 and 35 feet higher in elevation than his fields, which allows gravity to work. He also has a solar panel that powers a switch that pumps water directly into the barn from the tanks.

He was able to reach his pastures with the help of the Mason County Conservation District, which ran three-fourths of a mile of waterline to his paddocks. Morris installed an additional three-fourth mile water line. The entire system feeds eight tire fountains and reaches all of his 200 acres.

“We help producers find ways to implement rotational grazing,” said Kirby Rosser, an Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services employee with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Mason County. “Wayne needed water in his fields to be able to rotationally graze his animals, so we were able to help him find cost-share programs to aid in that.”

Now, Morris weekly rotates his cattle through each of the eight pastures. The system not only provides water to his pastures and lowered his water bills, but it also has improved his cattle’s grazing efficiency.

“We had one pasture where our cows would only graze the bottom of the hill,” he said. “They wouldn’t eat the top half, even if the grass was knee deep. After Steve Higgins mentioned that cattle won’t walk more than 600 to 800 feet for a drink of water, I realized that they needed water at the top of the hill.”

Once he put a tire waterer on top of the hill, the cattle have started to graze the entire hillside. This year, Morris received County Agriculture

Cattle drink from a tire waterer at Wayne Morris's farm in Maysville.

Investment Program funds to purchase a fourth, 3,000-gallon water tank.

“If you have any amount of cattle, the system will pay for itself,” Morris said. “With the costs savings from the cattle drinking rainwater instead of city water, I estimate that my system will pay for itself within 3.5 years.”

For Morris, an additional benefit of the water system is mud reduction from reduce runoff from barn.

“Since we installed the tanks, it’s dry up there,” he said. “We don’t have the mud around the barn like we used to.”

Morris recently held a field day at his farm to show other area producers how his watering system works. He plans to implement another best management practice on display at Eden Shale. This one is a hardened walkway his cattle will use during winter feeding.

Like Morris, Pendleton County farmer Terry Logan also went to Eden Shale looking for ideas to improve his operation. Logan produces cattle and forages on around 700 acres with is son Jason. They have 80 cow-calf pairs and usually raise two sets of feeder calves from spring and into the fall on their Licking Valley Farms.

“Before we installed the feeding areas, we had hay rings, but they would get nasty,” Terry Logan said. “Our fields would have ruts, and it was so muddy you couldn’t walk in the area

until March. We were to the point where we had to decide whether we wanted to be in or out of the business.”

Terry Logan first heard Higgins speak during Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual convention and went to an Eden Shale field day to learn more. Jason Logan also did a lot of online research to see what types of fenceline feeders were available and looked at Eden Shale’s plans. The Logans installed their fenceline feeder three years ago in a 40-acre field.

“If people will go and listen, they have a lot of interesting things at Eden Shale that aren’t too terribly expensive to implement,” Terry Logan said.

The Logans’ fenceline feeding system was built

with future generations in mind. Terry and Jason Logan are the fifth and sixth generation farmers, respectively, on land that goes back to 1865, and they plan for Jason’s sons Korbin and Kingston to be the seventh.

The feeding system sits on a 72-ft.-by-20-ft. concrete pad that the Logans cleared themselves and contains five feeding areas. Each area can hold three, 4-ft.-by-5-ft. small hay rolls or two, large hay rolls. Terry Logan says these usually last his cattle around three to four days, but he and Jason check it every night to make sure the cattle have enough. They keep their hay in a barn located within sight of the feeding areas. Concrete troughs for feeding grain surround

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

The Logan family from left: Bonnie, Korbin, Jason, Terry, Christian Rick and Kingston installed a fenceline feeding system on their Pendleton County farm after Terry Logan went to Eden Shale.

the system and connect the feeding areas. They estimate the entire system cost between $10,000 and $12,000, which includes the cost of concrete, rock, feed troughs, posts, feeding panels and geotextile fabric. They received CAIP funding to help offset some of the costs.

The fenceline feeding system has reduced mud, which makes it easier for the animals to reach the feeding areas and easier on the environment.

“The feeders have reduced mud so much that I don’t need a four-wheel drive to get down here and I can feed in my tennis shoes,” Terry Logan said.

Feed panels create designated stalls for the animals to eat from, which keeps the animals happy, reduces competition among the cattle for food and decreases wasted hay. The system is designed in a way to reduce the chances of an injury due to human-animal interaction.

The Logans do have other feeding areas in their operation, but most of them consist of drive-by trough feeding of grain. The fenceline feeding system has significantly

reduced the amount of time it takes the Logans to feed in the winter from four hours to 45 minutes.

“The fenceline feeder is the biggest bang for our buck,” Terry Logan said.

Like any piece of farm equipment, producers have to perform maintenance on the feeders. The Logans feed their calves from the feeders from December to April, and they will clean the feeding system and surrounding area a few times during the winter to keep manure and waste down.

They plan to hold a field day at the farm to let others see how the feeding system works for them.

Eden Shale Farm is ever evolving. Higgins adds at least a couple of new demonstrations each year to the farm to keep things fresh and producers coming back. An Eden Shale virtual tour and demonstration plans are available online at https:// www.edenshalefarm.com/.

Eden Shale's open house is Oct. 21. Producers wanting a tour can call KCA at (859) 278-0899 or email kbn@kycattle.org.

Sometimes it takes time and many people to make farm improvements. Wayne Morris, left, had help and guidance from Tad Campbell, Mason County extension agent, Rick Morris, Seth Morris, and Kirby Rosser, ACES employee with NRCS, as he worked to install his water system.

Water is captured from gutters on both sides of Wayne Morris' barn and placed into one of four water tanks. These tanks supply water to tire fountains located across his farm.

DENVER (June 16, 2023) – Kentucky cattleman Allan Bryant of Eminence was one of 71 leaders from across the nation and every segment of the beef industry that participated in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) program. YCC concluded its successful relaunch after a three-year hiatus. After nine days of intensive leadership training and a five-city tour which showcased every facet of the beef industry, these leaders completed their trip with a full day of representation in Washington, D.C. The event, which is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, Elanco, Farm Credit, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, John Deere, Tyson and NCBA, is designed to give participants exposure to the full supply chain. Completion of YCC prepares participants to serve as leaders within their state associations in addition to being advocates for NCBA and the beef community.

The 2023 class began its journey in Denver, Colorado, with classroom sessions designed to provide background knowledge about NCBA and the work it conducts on behalf of its members and the beef community. In Denver, participants took part in leadership development sessions, media training and hands-on demonstrations of the work NCBA does as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. The group also made a visit to Greeley, Colorado, to tour Five Rivers Cattle Feeding’s Kuner Feedyard and enjoyed an evening with Trent Johnson and the outstanding staff at Greeley Hat Works.

“The challenges facing cattle and beef producers increase every day. Part of NCBA’s role, and an important part of our success, is the ability to identify and develop leaders while also preparing them to meet these challenges head-on. YCC is a crucial part of this process and we are thankful to each of our sponsors for helping us conduct this important program,” said Wyoming cattle producer and NCBA president-elect Mark Eisele, who also participated in the trip. “Developing the next generation of leaders is just one of the ways that NCBA continues to protect and enhance the cattle business. The YCC program helps participants develop their leadership skills, while also exposing them to the full value chain in a way that not many producers get to experience.”

Eisele noted that the YCC experience allows participants to return to their respective state and breed associations and serve in a wide variety of leadership roles. Many participants then rise to national roles at NCBA and other industry associations, so the background knowledge they gain during this trip helps prepare them for that future in leadership.

“Providing knowledge, information and leadership skills is an important function for NCBA and one we take seriously,” Eisele said.

In Nebraska and Ohio, YCC participants had the opportunity to visit Tyson Food’s Dakota City beef processing plant, the headquarters of Certified Angus Beef and Wendy’s restaurants. Stops in these locations allowed the group to gain a better understanding of the full beef value chain, from processing through marketing and consumer outlets for beef. The 2023 YCC class finished its itinerary in Washington, D.C., where participants learned how NCBA’s policy work impacts their operations and the broader industry. After an in-depth policy issue briefing from NCBA’s lobbyists and staff experts, participants took to Capitol Hill, visiting more than 200 congressional offices to advocate for industry policy priorities.

“Over the past nine days, each member of the class has had the opportunity to better understand the cattle and beef industries and the complex relationships that represent the industry today. In addition, each of us has made connections and had experiences that will benefit us now and in the future. The leadership skills and the knowledge we’ve gained will allow each of us to continue on our leadership journey and provide us with ways that we can give back to the industry that we love,” said 2023 YCC Chair Jake Feddes, a Montana cattle producer. “Visiting the offices of our elected officials in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the issues that affect us, was particularly meaningful for our class and we’re proud of the impact we had on Capitol Hill. After spending time with each of these talented individuals, I’m absolutely confident that the future of the beef industry is bright.”

Kentucky Dairy Product Shoppers: Perceptions of Local Sourcing and the Environment

Tim Woods, Shuoli Zhao, Azita Varziri, and Camille Dant University of Kentucky

A significant survey was completed during the early part of 2023 exploring the values and demand perceptions of Kentucky consumers of dairy products. This survey of 827 individuals explored a wide range of attitudes and behaviors connected with a range of food sourcing and impact considerations.

Animal agriculture has received considerable attention in the current climate debate, with livestock product systems especially being identified as having a particularly significant role. A Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations report identified all livestock as contributing 14.5% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions – of which beef (41%) and dairy (20%) contribute significantly to that livestock impact.

Kentucky consumer values around dairy and the environment were explored as part of this survey.

Local sourcing of food products generally is important to most Kentuckians, with a special value placed on the perceived social impacts this might have (Table 1). Environmental and sustainability impacts on society are part of this mix. Personal benefits seem less important drivers. Rural Kentuckians have stronger agreement across both social and personal reasons for encouraging local sourcing. Younger Kentuckians are generally less inclined to encourage local sourcing, especially as a means for social benefit.

Environmental behaviors more generally – beyond strictly food choices – reflect concern from most Kentuckians about pollution and the environment and global warming, but the lower connection of these issues with the consumption of animal products or dairy production. The slightly higher concern reflected around these questions from younger Kentucky shoppers, however, reflects a global trend of some concern to the animal agriculture industry. (Table 2).

Understanding where consumer preferences lie can better help producers market their products to their target customers. If the target market cares about environmental pollution related to dairy production, showing customers the different ways, the farm operation manages with a view to being more environmentally sustainable can provide a competitive advantage. Highlighting these characteristics either on products or websites can draw potential customers to purchase their dairy products from these suppliers. Carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emission branding have become hot buttons in the food industry generally.

Local markets for smaller dairy farms are another possible segment to explore and have been the subject of a regional Dairy Business Innovation Initiative funded by the USDA. Additional summaries and studies drawing on this data looking at different products and consumer issues are being posted to the MarketReady website. The MarketReady website has additional information and sources going over buyers in Kentucky and what they look for when stocking dairy products to different grant opportunities and workshops.

Overall, looking at the demand for local dairy products allows consumers to make informed and sustainable choices that benefit both individuals and communities, supporting the local economies, promoting environmental stewardship, and contributing to a more resilient and connected food system. It is important to note that the significance of the demand for local dairy products may vary among different consumer segments. Some consumers prioritize local dairy products more than others, depending on their values, preferences, and the specific context of the product being offered. Understanding these values and characteristics can help producers along the way with their marketing strategies.

My next car will be an electric vehicle regardless of prices

causes significant harm to the environment

More people should switch to vegetarian or plantbased diets because it is good for the planet

Table 1: Local Sourcing Values with Social and Personal Impacts

Table 2: Environmental Perceptions and Behaviors

Ag Export Growth Subsides Amidst A Changing Global Economy

Will Snell Extension Professor

After achieving a record high of $196.4 billion in FY 2022 (Oct. 1, 2021- Sept. 30, 2022), USDA has for the second time reduced its 2023 FY forecast for U.S. agricultural trade – down to $181 billion compared to $184.5 billion estimate in February and its initial estimate of $190 billion last November. Increasing crop supplies, lower commodity prices, a relatively higher valued dollar and a sluggish and a slowing global economy are putting downward pressure on U.S. ag export sales.

The latest trade data (through April 2023) reveals that since the beginning of the year, the value of U.S. ag exports are off 6%, with U.S. corn exports down 35%, beef exports are off 21%, and wheat exports 11% lower compared to the same period last year. While slumping so far in 2023, both corn and beef are coming off record high export levels in recent years. Alternatively, U.S. soybeans export growth continues along with higher dairy and pork exports so far in 2023. Important to Kentucky, bourbon exports continue to soar, while forest exports are trending lower. Tobacco exports are rebounding from record lows as tight supplies of burley worldwide are inducing foreign buyers to purchase limited stocks of U.S. burley.

China is forecasted to remain the largest foreign buyer of U.S. agriculture, staying relatively stable in 2023 with U.S. soybean import

source: ERS/USDA

demand remaining strong despite reported attempts from the Chinese government to diversify its import sources. Economic growth in China is forecast to increase from 3% to 5.2% this year as the nation continues to rebound from its COVID-19 challenges. While China’s economy will likely rebound this year, economic growth is expected to decline in most other major U.S. markets. Despite its sluggish economy and the ongoing U.S./Mexico GMO trade debate, U.S. ag exports to Mexico are expected to grow this year with Mexico surpassing Canada as the United States’ second leading export customer. Collectively, the United States’ three largest customers – China, Mexico and Canada will account for nearly one half of U.S. ag exports in 2023.

Future export market trends for U.S. agriculture will hinge critically on the size of the 2023 U.S. grain crops, future developments of moving grain out of Ukraine amidst the current war with Russia, meat supplies, recovery in global economic growth and the strength of the U.S. dollar. While the U.S. dollar has softened a little so far in 2023, higher U.S. interest rates will likely keep the dollar relatively high and thus constrain potential export growth. A lot depends on future actions by the Federal Reserve in its attempts to reduce inflationary pressures on the U.S. economy.

Department publishes

Agricultural imports into the United States continue to grow leading to an anticipated record trade deficit for U.S. agriculture for FY 2023 forecast at $14.5 billion. In fact, after recording annual trade surpluses for decades, U.S. agriculture has recorded trade deficits three out of the past five fiscal years. While U.S. food companies purchase foreign goods that compete with U.S. ag commodities/ products and to address seasonality issues, food import demand has been increasing given the diversity of a changing demographic consumer base. Hispanic and Asian residents represent the fastest growing consumer bases in the United States who bring much different food preferences to the traditional American food basket. As Americans have become more diverse, wealthier and travel abroad, the composition of the American diet reflects a larger share of ethnic foods, tropical products, spices, and imported gourmet food items and beverages. Foreigners traveling in the United States also discover many unique foods/ beverages (e.g., country ham, bourbon) which create export opportunities for U.S. food and ag-related companies. However, enhanced international competition for U.S. ag exporters coupled with the anticipated growing demand for imported ag/food product trends will likely challenge the existence of future large U.S. ag trade surpluses.

Topics will vary greatly but regularly include marketing, management, policy, natural resources, and rural development issues. If you would like to recieve this newsletter by email, please contact Kenny Burdine at kburdine@uky.edu

You can also view current and past issues online at https://bit.ly/2PoHsZj

Co-editors: Kenny Burdine, Alison Davis, and Greg Halich

The Agricultural Economics

the Economic and Policy Update towards the end of each month. Each issue features articles written by extension personnel

within the department and other experts across the country.

Figure 1: US Ag Exports, Imports, and Trade Balance

KCA Staff are Here for You

Carey Brown KCA Chief Operatiing Officer

In order to serve our growing membership in the best way possible, your Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association has been gradually making staff changes to better accommodate your needs. As staff, we hope that these changes will make our work more efficient while also better serving our membership and all entities in the office.

As an organization, KCA has grown rapidly in the last 20 years, and I can assure you that no other state cattlemen’s organization in the country is as involved in the industry from farm to fork. Your state organization has one of the largest memberships in the country, and the KCA Board is constantly pushing for growth in all aspects of our cattle industry.

Many changes have been implemented since the KCA Long Range Plan was implemented in 2020. Your staff works daily to carry out the strategies set forth in the long-range pplan.

The initial staff changes started with Nikki Whitaker. For over 16 years, she worked with our county associations to grow memberships and implement a web-based membership platform. With a long-range plan goal of reaching 15,000 members by 2025, Nikki was off to a good start in reaching that goal. However, during that time we also began working on a new education center that was also part of that long range plan. As the years moved on it took more and more time to make this goal a reality. Throughout all of this Nikki was also becoming much more engaged in legislative issues in our office. The decision was made in 2022 to add a new membership and communications manager to the team and let Nikki focus on special projects, like the Livestock Innovation Center, including KCA legislative issues. This transition allows Nikki’s talents to shine. She does a great job monitoring issues important to the cattle industry and works hard to fight for our entire industry at the state and national level. Nikki’s new title is vice president of operations and policy.

Our new membership and communications coordinator, Rachel Cain, was hired in October 2022, and she has jumped right in and finished her first year by increasing membership to over 11,000 members, currently at 11,049. Rachel works with each county chapter, attends county meetings and handles all of KCA’s social media accounts and digital communications to keep members informed. She has also recently taken over the KCA Hall of Fame and Kentucky Team Beef program. She brings a strong background in sustainability and conservation issues and all

staff appreciate the talents she brings to the team.

Another big staff change has been moving Carey Brown over to serve in a new role for the association, chief operating officer. With over 20 years of experience assisting with communication efforts in the office, the board approved her transition in February 2023. Carey will lead the Kentucky Beef Council, assisting staff where needed and playing a larger role in the advertising and marketing of your checkoff dollars. In addition, she will manage the office, Livestock Advertising Network and work on communication and marketing plans for all entities including Kentucky Beef Network and Beef Solutions. Katie Pratt started in June working as the new communications manager. Katie will lead all efforts with Cow Country, including editorial and advertising. With over 15 years’ experience writing, Katie will bring much needed localized editorial not only to Cow Country, but also to our social accounts and websites. We are excited to offer more producer stories, production issues and program information with Katie’s help. If you have a story or producer ideas for future issues, be sure to let Katie know. Katie will also handle two other quarterly publications that are published in the KCA office, Michigan Cattlemen and Keystone Cattleman.

Our graphic designer, Todd Brown and videographer, Danny Coy will continue to play a much-needed role in the office. Todd creates the layout for Cow Country, Michigan Cattlemen and Keystone Cattleman. He also designs brochures, logos, posters, print and digital ads, trade show displays and anything else the staff throws his way. Danny is an asset that not many other associations have. He assists with any videos coming out of our office including commercials, Hall of Fame videos, social videos, educational videos and has even allowed us to do special projects with others in the ag industry that provide income to our association. Both Danny and Todd work across all entities in the office and having them in the office allows staff to create more content, that would not be affordable if we had to contract that work. Their creativity and efforts to keep projects on brand are invaluable.

The Kentucky Beef Network has been headed by Becky Thompson for over 19 years. Prior to her full-time role, Becky also interned for KBN when it first started. Becky has overseen the implementation of 15 million dollars in grant dollars from the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund through a

partnership with the University of Kentucky Beef extension team. The implementation of these dollars helps create education and on farm programs to assist beef cattle producers improve animal health, genetics, forages and marketing opportunities while increasing net farm gate revenue. She has vast experience in animal identification, traceability and process verified programs through her role with Kentucky Beef Network and always looks forward to working with cattlemen to find solutions to challenges they experience on the farm.

Dan Miller also works with Kentucky Beef Network to carry out programs working directly with producers. Dan makes farm visits when needed and spends much of his time at Eden Shale Farm. KBN has been managing Eden Shale Farm for 10 years and there is always something happening at the farm. Dan can be found mowing hayfields, working the cattle herd or giving a tour of the farm and ongoing projects. In addition to time spent on KBN, Dan also procures all of the cattle for Beef Solutions. Now in it’s fifth year, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef has returned $5.4 million to producers in 76 counties, and Dan has worked with each of them.

The latest KBN grant also allowed KBN to hire a new position, KBN program coordinator. Jake Harrod was hired in June to fill this position. Jake will work with UK extension and KBN staff to develop and execute programs and administrate the BQCA program. He will be your contact for CPH-45 and value-added sales including tag distribution and you will see him at several county and state events representing KBN. Jake is excited to learn and connect with those in the cattle industry and promote KBN programs.

Beef Solutions hired Kenny Allen, operations manager in January, and as the only fulltime staff person for such a big project, he has handled it all in stride. Kenny works in all aspects of the business from processing, packaging, and sales, as well as completing all of the office duties associated with the ground beef project. Kenny has excelled at analyzing the data to ensure producers are making a profit while also taking care to ensure the business is also succeeding. He is passionate about the business and his work ethic is sure to continue the growth of Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef.

Bradon Burks works for the Kentucky Beef Council as director of education. Bradon’s enthusiasm and passion for this industry and education shine through in all he does. Bradon works with all school age groups to educate them on the cattle industry, but also in our final product – beef. He also works with college students and adults to further their beef education. Bradon can be found often at The Yards classroom engaging all age groups

to further their cattle and beef knowledge. Bradon is the advisor for the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association. He works with KJCA on Leadership Programs, plans the KJCA Fall Classic, takes several youth to the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS) and is currently working on three new projects, a mentorship program for Kentucky students interested in pursuing veterinary degrees, a points program for KJCA and a KJCA Cattle Working contest. If all of that isn’t enough, Bradon has also stepped up this year to serve on several state and national committees, the NIAA Antibiotic Symposium Planning Committee and a Chairman of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Vet Shortage Working Group. He is also planning farm tours for the CDC in Kentucky this fall.

Kentucky Beef Council is in the process of hiring two positions left vacant by Kylie Trail and Alison Smith’s recent resignations. The KBC director of communications and events position will be responsible for social media, website, public relations, consumer education and all events. The KBC director of industry

Beef Solutions Operations Manager Kenny Allen kallen@kycattle.org

Beef Solutions Sales and Promotion

relations will work alongside the entire supply chain to promote beef. They will work with producers, distributors, retail and foodservice in addition to health influencers to promote beef’s diversity and nutritional aspects. Those positions are expected to be filled in early August.

Kelly Tucker, our staff accountant, has been with us for 14 years and stays busy keeping up with the constant flow of accounts receivable, accounts payable, monthly financials for each entity as well as human resources work. KCA currently manages 13 checkbooks and even though we are housed in the same office, each entity has very strict firewalls. Kelly does a fantastic job keeping all our financials in good standing and works yearly with auditors to ensure our office is in good standing and handling our tasks appropriately. Kelly is an integral part of the office and her attention to detail and work to move the office into more modern systems does not go unnoticed. To round out our staff is our Executive Vice President, Dave Maples. Dave is starting his

25th year with KCA and he, along with our leadership, should be credited with much of the growth of the association and the ability to find passionate employees to carry out the sometimes-impossible tasks he creates. He not only pushes staff to do and be more, but he pushes the entire industry forward. He is a talent that knows our industry so well but isn’t afraid to step outside the box. Dave is a great listener, and he can take a lot of different perspectives and topics and combine those things to make a difference in agriculture. He isn’t afraid to take risks and is constantly working on your behalf.

Our staff is dedicated to the Kentucky cattle industry and works tirelessly on your behalf. We listen to the directions set forth by our membership, committees and board. We are all thankful that you allow us to work for you each day and encourage you to learn more about what we do and how we can make your organization the best it can be. Please call us anytime with ideas, questions and concerns you have regarding the cattle industry. We are here for you!

Executive Vice President Dave Maples dmaples@kycattle.org

KCA's Mission and Vision • Industry Priorities

Chief Operating Officer Carey Brown cbrown@kycattle.org

KBC Marketing and Advertising • Public Relations Producer Checkoff Questions

Graphic Designer Todd Brown tbrown@kycattle.org

Ad Design • Brochures • Photography • Sale Flyers Whatever you need help designing!

KBC Director of Education

Bradon Burks bburks@kycattle.org

Beef Education • YARDS Classroom • KJCA Advisor Youth & Teacher Professional Development

Membership and Communications Coordinator Rachel Cain rcain@kycattle.org

Member Recruitment and Retention • Producer Engagement Local Chapter Support • Sustainability Efforts

Video Production Specialist Danny Coy dcoy@kycattle.org

Television and video advertising • Web video content

Producer and community profiles • KCA video library

KBN Program Coordinator Jake Harrod jharrod@kycattle.org

Producer Education • Value Added Marketing for Cattle Beef Quality and Care Assurance

KBN Industry Coordinator

Dan Miller dmiller@kycattle.org

Eden Shale Farm • Beef Solutions Cattle Procurement

Communications Manager Katie Pratt kpratt@kycattle.org

Cow Country News • Farm Advertising • Classified Advertising E-mail Blasts

Director of Kentucky Beef Network

Becky Thompson bthompson@kycattle.org

Producer Education • Value Added Marketing for Cattle

Eden Shale Farm

Staff Accountant

Kelly Tucker ktucker@kycattle.org

Finance & Accounting • Human Resources

Director of Operations and Policy

Nikki Whitaker nwhitaker@kycattle.org

Legislative and regulatory issues in Frankfort & Washington, DC • KCA Governance • Organizational History and Structure

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Welcome the Two Newest Members of Our Team at KCA

I’m Katie Pratt, and I am the new communications manager for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. I grew up on my family’s tobacco and beef cattle farm in Winchester.

To be honest, I did not want anything to do with the farm, especially at 18 years old. I left home and earned a journalism degree from Belmont University in Nashville.

Agriculture has always had a way of drawing me back in. After college, I landed at an Indiana newspaper and became the “ag reporter” due to my Kentucky farming background. With Indiana agriculture being vastly different, I quickly had to learn about row crops and commercial fruit and vegetable production.

I returned home in 2007 and began working for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. While at UK, some of the things I reported on included industrial hemp research, the Cooperative Extension Service and the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence. I worked there for 14 years before leaving in 2022 to pursue my own business ventures.

In my new role, I will work on Cow Country News. My goal is to bring more of a local flare to the publication. I really want to highlight the successes of Kentucky’s beef producers, and as a daughter of a cattleman, give you the information you need to improve your operation and your bottom line. If you have something you would like to see in Cow Country or know of someone who needs to be highlighted, feel free to contact me, kpratt@kycattle.org.

My name is Jake Harrod. I am from Frankfort and currently live on my family’s beef cattle farm. We have a variety of cattle from commercial to Charolais. The many long hours that I spent on the farm helped build my passion for beef cattle and guided me to where I am today.

I grew up showing cattle with my family, and it has been one of my favorite activities. Showing cattle has helped me learn about the industry and the work that goes into improving our cattle. Over the years, I have been involved with FFA and Kentucky Farm Bureau’s young farm leader programs. I currently serve on the board of the Franklin County Farm Bureau.

I graduated from Morehead State University with a degree in animal science and agriculture business. While at Morehead, my passion for beef cattle only grew. At Morehead’s research farm, I got to work hands-on with cattle and learn of new and upcoming practices and techniques. It helped me realize that I wanted a career where I could help producers find new practices and improve the quality of their animals.

I am now working at the Kentucky Beef Network as the new program coordinator. My main roles include assisting and overseeing the BQCA program and the certified beef sales that are overseen by the network. I look forward to meeting and working with the many great producers of our state and continuing to improve the quality animal production that our great state is known for.

Plan ahead for your equipment and production needs. Act now to lock in the best pricing and secure the equipment you need for the season ahead. Make smart decisions for a successful year. That’s the right move. And it starts at your New Holland dealer. Stop in today!

Plan ahead for your equipment and production needs. Act now to lock in the best pricing and secure the equipment you need for the season ahead. Make smart decisions for a successful year. That’s the right move. And it starts at your New Holland dealer. Stop in today!

2022-23 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

* MEMBERSHIP YEAR 10/1/22– 9/30/23

*Payments of KCA membership dues are tax deductible for most members as an ordinary and necessary business expense. However, charitable contributions of gifts to KCA are not tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. Due to new IRS regulations, $2.24 of your dues would not be deductible. Approximately $12 of your dues will go towards the monthly publication Cow Country.

PLEASE CHECK THE MEMBERSHIP(S) YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN:

KCA MEMBERSHIP ($30/YR) NEW RENEWAL

Membership dues are $30 unless otherwise listed below

KCA COUPLE MEMBERSHIP

To add your spouse, please add $15 to your KCA Membership

KENTUCKY JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION ($10/YR) NEW RENEWAL

I WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE YOUNG PRODUCER’S COUNCIL

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP:

$ KCA $ KJCA

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

$ CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION DONATION (voluntary)

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED:

$ ALL DONATIONS TO KCF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

COUNTY DUES

Dues are $30 except for the counties listed below.

Allen...............................$40

Anderson........................$25

Bourbon.........................$20

Boyle ..............................$35

Bullitt..............................$20

Butler..............................$25

Franklin ..........................$25

Highlands .......................$20

(Boyd, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, & Martin)

Hopkins ..........................$35

Laurel.............................$35

Lincoln ...........................$25

Louisville Area ................$20

(Jefferson, & Spencer)

Magoffin .........................$20

Menifee ..........................$25

Mountain........................$25

(Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Morgan, Owsley, Perry & Wolfe)

Oldham ..........................$35

Taylor..............................$20

Twin Lakes ......................$20

Warren ...........................$40

Wayne ............................$25

Whitley ...........................$25

Woodford......................$25

A “Grade A” Education

KENTUCKY BEEF COUNCIL PROVIDES BEEF EDUCATION TO HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Katie Pratt KCA Communications Manager

LEXINGTON, KY — With more consumers interested in where their food comes from, having a knowledgeable waitstaff can help share that information while providing an overall more enjoyable dining experience for consumers. The Kentucky Beef Council has a longstanding educational partnership with the Bluegrass Hospitality Group that gives their staff a leg up in the restaurant industry.

BHG employs over 3,000 team members who work for six establishments including Malone’s, Malone’s Prime Events and Receptions, Harry’s, Drakes, Aqua Sushi and OBC Kitchen.

Recently, Alison Smith, KBC’s director of retail and foodservice, provided a daylong educational session for BHG employees at the University of Kentucky. The KBC program, Beef U, was supported by Beef Checkoff dollars. It was opened to any BHG team member including waitstaff, cooks, managers and office personnel.

Smith, who is also a beef producer, provided a basic overview and first-hand perspective

of cattle production and explained the processes involved in pasture to plate. Gregg Rentfrow, UK meat science specialist, took participants to the UK Meats Lab where he and his lab members demonstrated how a carcass gets broken down into the cuts of meat that restaurants and grocery stores sell. At lunchtime, the participants put their beef knowledge to work to prepare a unique dish, which was judged in a friendly competition at the UK Food Connection.

“It’s a unique opportunity because not everyone gets to go to a meat lab and see the preparation that goes into the cuts of meat that they serve in their restaurant,” said Corina Poenaru, BHG training coordinator. “It just gives you a better understanding of the whole process.”

For Becky Umbrell, Malone’s administrative manager, it was her first time attending a beefcentered training.

“I came to this training because I wanted to grow and learn,” she said. “I wanted to know the basics of beef production so I could have educated conversations with people inside and

outside of work.”

She says she now has a better understanding of the entire process. One of the topics that was the most interesting to her was the difference between grass-finished and grass-fed beef. This recent program is just one way the Kentucky Beef Council works with BHG. Smith provides additional educational sessions to BHG employees who want to advance within the company as part of their training program. She has worked with the group since meeting John McNamara, BHG’s chief operating officer, on a KBC tour in 2005.

The most recent program was Poenaru’s third time attending Beef U. She first attended the class as an hourly team member wishing to advance her career. She continues to enjoy bringing her coworkers to these beef-focused events.

“Alison is marvelous. She is organized, attentive and flexible,” Poenaru said. “She understands how the beef community benefits by investing in educational programs for us.”

Kentucky Beef Council Returns to Agland at the Kentucky State Fair

Carey Brown KCA Chief Operating Officer

August is almost here, which means the 119th Kentucky State Fair will be here soon. The Kentucky State Fair is Aug.17-27. The fair remains Kentucky Beef Council’s largest consumer event of the year. Last year’s fair reached 525,000 Kentuckians from all 120 counties. The fair consists of concerts, agriculture, animals, education and more. The Kentucky Beef Council will be in AgLand, an area with more than an acre of agriculture exhibits in the South Wing A highlighting Kentucky’s farm and field heritage. KBC takes great pride in sharing the Kentucky beef story and promoting and educating about beef, the top protein choice.

AgLand is a great way to highlight all of the commodity groups and honor the role agriculture has always played in the state fair. This year, the KBC booth will feature an interactive cuts chart, Brutus the bull, educational walls highlighting all things beef, a prize wheel and beef cookbook giveaways.

VOLUNTEER

We are also looking for volunteer beef producers at the Kentucky State Fair. We have two spots available each day for you to come, tell your story and work the prize wheel. We

will pay for your admission to the fair and feed you a great beef meal! You can sign up by scanning the QR code.

If you can’t volunteer, we still hope you will stop by to visit and see your checkoff at work. In addition to the main booth in AgLand, KBC will also be featured on the Farm to Fair Cooking Stage. Below is a list of all the dates and times KBC will be sponsoring the cooking demonstration:

Aug. 18 – 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Aug. 19 – 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Aug. 20 – 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Aug. 22 – 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Aug. 23 – 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Aug. 25 – 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

It is always agriculture’s time to shine at the Kentucky State Fair, and the Kentucky Beef Council plans to make sure beef is the highlight. While you are here, don’t forget to grab a ribeye or burger from one of the many KCA cooking booths!

Keeping up with Kentucky Beef Network

Becky Thompson Director, Kentucky Beef Network

The Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky Beef Extension teams are launching new programs this fall, which are funded by Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds.

Advanced Post Weaning Value-Added Program

This new program launches fall 2023 and will work to capture preconditioning data from experienced producers to effectively illustrate the advantages and economic benefits of weaning and preconditioning calves prior to marketing. Participants will work with beef extension specialists to review their feeding plan, manage their calves using CPH-45 or similar protocol, collect weights at weaning, and then once market ready, participate in an approved value-added sale. Participants must complete the required paperwork detailing weights, feed and vet costs, and sales receipts and submit this information to complete the program. Once the paperwork is submitted and the calves have been marketed, participants will receive a one-page closeout which documents the economic returns or losses to the preconditioning enterprise. If you are interested in participating, please contact your county agriculture agent.

Back to Basics

The goal of this program is to identify 10 farms spread geographically across the state and to demonstrate the impact of

implementing modern production practices in a typical beef cow-calf operation. Many producers do not use modern production practices even though these practices have been demonstrated to positively impact production efficiency and profitability. Back to Basics aims to work with producers to identify their farm and production goals, then help create a production plan to achieve those goals. The farms selected to participate must want to improve their operations and be willing to participate for two years.

Participants will collect data using Stocket (formerly X10D) to demonstrate impact. There will also be an educational component about the "basics" of production including: health, nutrition, reproduction, forage and recordkeeping. Organized field days at each participating farm will be used to demonstrate modern production practices and their results.

Master Cattleman

After nearly 25 years, the beef extension team is currently working to modernize the Master Cattleman program and curriculum to meet the demands of today’s cattle producer. The new Master Cattleman program will continue to deliver an informative and comprehensive beef production curriculum but in a way that is accessible to more cattle producers than ever.

Master Grazer

Grazing schools focus on improving the utilization of existing forage resources to better meet producer needs through hands-on learning of key grazing concepts.

Sept. 27-28 - Fall Grazing School, Versailles

Oct. 3 - Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council Field Day, Clay

Grazing conferences will host educational sessions focusing on key issues in grassland agriculture.

Oct. 31 - Western Kentucky Grazing Conference, Elizabethtown

Nov. 1 - Eastern Kentucky Grazing Conference, Lexington

Fencing schools provide participants with theory and application of permanent and temporary electric fencing. Participants will learn how to select and install energizers, build smooth high tensile fencing, improve existing fencing with the use of electrified offset, and how to effectively utilize temporary fencing to control grazing.

Nov. 7 - Fall Fencing School, Scott County.

Nov. 9 - Fall Fencing School, Caldwell County. To learn more about the grazing programs being offered this fall please visit the UK Forage Extension website http://forages.ca.uky. edu/.

Eden Shale Update

Dan Miller Industry Coordinator, Kentucky Beef Network

When done correctly, there are some things on the farm that will last a long, long time. That is my hope with our recent project of replacing the chute at the main cattle working facility. If you have been to a tour at Eden Shale then you more than likely walked past our old chute and alley system. The barn that houses it was built in the mid-1960s and was used to manage a bull test operation at that time. The “Bull Barn,” as we call it, was built to hold 110 bulls in confinement. As part of the bull test project, each bull walked through the working facility every two weeks to collect a weight.

The old chute was a Filson with a For-Most Model 30 Headgate bolted to the front of it. I am unsure whether this chute was the original one placed when the facility was built in the 1960s, but I do know it has been the main cattle working chute at Eden Shale for a very long time.

This cattle handling system has a homemade tub and wooden alleyway that leads up to a Paul Livestock Box Scale that sits in the alley prior to the chute. The only problem with this box scale was that it required an extra person to weigh the animals. Back in the 1960s, the farm employed as many as 12 employees; therefore, labor was not an issue. Today, it is just Greg and I that handle the responsibilities, and to operate the scales, we have to ask someone to come help for the day.

The other design flaw of the original system is that it did not have a traditional palp cage. It did have an access door behind the chute that was only accessible from the left-hand side, and it was entirely made of wood. Once catching an animal in the chute, you had to walk around to the opposite side to access the homemade palp door. The wood door was not strong enough to safely contain a cow that really wanted to come forward into the chute. This created a safety risk for anyone in the chute breeding, palpating or otherwise working on an animal.

The old chute has served the farm well over the years. Since KBN took over Eden Shale Farm in 2013, we have run an average of 1,000 head a year through chute by the time our cattle go through it multiple times. The past few years, the bottom of the chute started to rust out causing some serious safety issues to the cattle’s feet and legs. The chute’s condition had worsened enough to warrant replacing it with something more functional.

We replaced it with an ArrowQuip 74 Series Q-Catch squeeze chute. This model has two key features that the old chute did not. The first are the load bars that it sits on allowing us to weigh the animal while it is in the chute, thus eliminating the need for a third person to weigh cattle. The second key feature is the dedicated palp cage that is part of the back of the chute. This will allow us to hold and refrain any cattle from entering the chute unwantedly while someone is in the chute working on an animal. It will also allow us to access the palp cage from either side, eliminating the need to walk around to the far side just to enter the chute. This will speed up pregnancy checking considerably. Since installation, we have worked a few animals through the chute, and everything works as it should. The scales are a must to be able to dose animals correctly with the proper amount of antibiotic. I am looking forward to pregnancy checking the cows this fall when we can use the chute all day and get a better idea how much it will speed up our processing of a large number of cattle. Hopefully, this chute will serve the animals at Eden Shale Farm for many years to come.

May Pork Exports Highest in Two Years; Beef Exports Below Record-Large, Year-Ago Totals

Led by another outstanding month in Mexico and robust demand for variety meat, exports of U.S. pork continued to gain momentum in May, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While well below the record-large volume and value posted in May 2022, beef exports improved from April and were the second largest (behind March) of 2023.

Record value for pork variety meat highlights May export growth

May pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons (mt), up 16% from a year ago, the ninth largest on record and the largest since May 2021. Export value climbed 12% to $731.1 million, also the highest since May 2021 and the seventh highest on record. Pork variety meat exports were particularly outstanding in May, setting a value record of $127 million.

May exports to leading market Mexico were well above last year, while shipments to Taiwan were the largest in 12 years and export value to South Korea reached a five-year high. Exports were also significantly higher to Australia, Central America and Malaysia.

Through the first five months of the year, pork and pork variety meat exports were 14% above last year’s pace at 1.22 million mt, valued at $3.35 billion (up 13%).

“While pork shipments to Mexico are on a remarkable pace, it takes a wide range of markets to achieve double-digit growth,” explained Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Demand is strong throughout the Western Hemisphere and the U.S. industry continues to make gains in Asian markets where supplies of European pork are much tighter than a year ago.”

May beef exports lower overall, but strengthen in North America and Taiwan

Beef exports totaled 116,159 mt, down 14% from the May 2022 record but up 4% from the previous month. Export value was $874.7 million, down 19% year-over-year but 2% above April. May exports strengthened to Mexico, Taiwan and South Africa, and export value to Canada was the highest in nearly eight years. Beef variety meat exports were the largest in 12 months at just under 27,000 mt.

For January through May, beef and beef variety exports were down 10% to 554,069 mt, valued at $4.09 billion (down 21%).

“U.S. beef exports face considerable headwinds in 2023, on both the supply and demand side, especially when compared to last year’s massive totals,” Halstrom said. “To address tighter beef supplies, USMEF has heightened efforts to showcase underutilized cuts, even in our wellestablished markets. It’s also encouraging to see beef variety meat exports maintain a strong pace, as this is essential for maximizing carcass value.”

Lamb exports trend lower in May

May exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 141 mt, down 32% from a year ago and the lowest volume of 2023. Export value was $772,409, down 17%. May exports declined to most major destinations, but increased to the Bahamas. For January through May, exports remained 9% above last year’s pace at 958 mt, valued at $5.5 million (up 5%).

A detailed summary of the January-May export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM

State and National Beef Promotion and Research Programs Information is required by 7 CRF 1260.201. Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential per 7 CRF 1260.203.

X

X

$1.OO per Head Federal Checkoff $ $1.OO per Head State Checkoff STATE OF ORIGIN*

$ BUYER SELLER PHONE

*If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.

Send Report and Remittance to: Kentucky Beef Council

176 Pasadena Drive

Lexington, KY 40503

For additional information: call 859-278-0899 or email beef@kycattle.org

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

August • Cow Country • 53

BOYD BEEF CATTLE

6077 Helena Road

Mayslick, KY 41055

Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5194 • Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718

www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net

BRANCH VIEW ANGUS

927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, KY 40437 (859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com

James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey

Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

BURKS CATTLE CO.

531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160

Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 www.burkscattle.com

BURTON & SONS ANGUS

Joe D. or Karen Burton

480 Hominy Hill Rd. Nancy, KY 42544

Joe: (606) 305-3081

Located 15 miles West of Somerset • klburton01@windstream.net Bulls & females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy. Data driven since 1981.

COFFEY ANGUS FARMS

661 Hopewell Road

Liberty, KY 42539

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288

Dewey Coffey: (606) 706-2699

Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

DAVIS BEND FARMS

2315 Davis Bend Road

Canmer, KY 42722

timmothyljeffries@gmail.com

www.davisbendfarms.com

Tim: (270) 528-6605 • Leslie: (270) 528-6435

FALL CREEK ANGUS

448 Corder Farm Road

Monticello, KY 42633

Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588

HAMILTON ANGUS FARMS

Eddie Hamilton 2142 Stilesville Road Science Hill, KY 42553

edjohami@aol.com

(606) 271-1286

Bulls and Females for Sale

HERITAGE FARM

Tom McGinnis

1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY

(502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work

(502) 655-0164, cell

President: Henry B. Smith

Vice President: Anne Patton Schubert

Secretary/Treasurer: Shayna Gibson

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Return to: Shayna Gibson 1535 Fallen Timber Road

New Castle, KY 40050

• Annual Dues $35

HILL VIEW FARMS

Jimmy Gilles 5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 929-5370 jcgilles86@gmail.com

JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS

Angus Bulls & Females Slaughters, KY Keith: (270) 635-0723 Reese: (270) 635-1137

LYNN CREEK FARMS

Kris and Sara Lynn 2184 Bardstown Rd Springfield KY 40069 573-721-6663

MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS

Bob, Kathy, Rob, and Janna Clark (859) 748-5558 1446 Kennedy Bridge Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Bob: (859)339-2610 • Rob: (859)612-1594 mtmoriahfarms1@gmail.com www.mtmoriahangus.com

FOUR KINGS ANGUS

250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Cary & Kim King Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com

Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager

OLD BARK FARM

370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716

Kenley Conner (502) 905-7825

Registered Angus Cattle

4040 Taylorsville Rd

Taylorsville, KY 40071

Gordon Schubert 502-477-2637 • 502-548-8440

Anne Patton Schubert 502-477-2663 • 502-548-2359

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 500 Rockfield Richpond Road

Rockfield, KY 42274

(270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005

Located 7 miles west of Bowling Green, 1/2 mile off Hwy 68/80

SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM

5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Springs, KY 42642

Charles “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898

Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311

ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS

Eric & Sherry St. Clair

13433 Falls of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, KY 40119

Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079

www.stclairangus.com

Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale April 2020

TAMME VALLEY FARM

Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator (859) 583-7134

jacob.tamme@gmail.com

www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook!

TRIPLE D ANGUS

Nathaniel & Darla Denham

Nathaniel(Bub), Sarah, Ashley Denham (606) 423-2457 • (606) 875-0780 tripledangus.com

TWIN CREEK FARM

Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson

(270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304

Dennis & Emily 270/337-2128 or 270/402-4338

WHITE FARM

Tim and Amy White 3664 Military Pike • Lexington, KY 40513

Home: (859)223-0326

Tim: (859) 509-5401 • Amy (859)227-2552

whitefarm4@twc.com

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Return to: Shayna Gibson 1535 Fallen Timber Road New Castle, KY 40050 • Annual Dues $35

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Shayna Gibson, Secretary/Treasurer

2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show - June 8-9, 2023 in Louisville, KY

1. Grand Champion PGS Female Conway angel capitalist 0522 won grand champion phenotype and genotype female at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Camdyn Tingle, Bedford, Ky., owns the May 2022 daughter of Rock Ridge Capitalist H48. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

2. Reserve Grand Champion PGS Female WF4 Tahoe Georgina 2803 won reserve grand champion phenotype and genotype female at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Emily Caffee, Bonnieville, Ky., owns the August 2022 daughter of Tehama Tahoe B767. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

3. Grand Champion Bred-and-owned Bull LNGE Notice Me won grand champion bred-and-owned bull at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Cheyenne Kiser, Morning View, Ky., owns the May 2022 son of Colburn Primo 5153. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

4. Reserve Grand Champion Bred-and-owned Bull Conquer 2211 won reserve grand champion bred-and-owned bull at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Clayton Bell, Irvington, Ky., owns the November 2022 son of PVF Marvel 9185. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

5. Grand Champion Bred-and-owned Voyager Saras Dream 792 won grand champion bred-andowned female at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Jacob Marksbury, Buffalo, Ky., owns the September 2022 daughter of PVF Marvel 9185. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

6. Reserve Grand Champion Bred-and-owned Female Ard Ridge Trixie 2246 won reserve grand champion bred-and-owned female at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Kat Branscum, Nancy, Ky., owns the October 2022 daughter of Ard Ridge Coal Train 1807. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

7. Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair Womack Lucy 0218 won grand champion cow-calf pair at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Mackinziann Conway, Lawrenceburg, Ky., owns the October 2020 daughter of PVF Surveillance 4129. An October 2022 heifer calf sired by S A V Rainfall 6846 completes the winning pair. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

8. Reserve Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair FCF Phyllis 060 won reserve grand champion cowcalf pair at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Kyle Jeffries, Canmer, Ky., owns the October 2020 daughter of Silveiras Style 9303. A February 2023 heifer calf sired by TC Thunder 7508 is at side. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

9. Grand Champion Owned WF4 Georgina Express 2209 won grand champion owned female at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Kat Branscum, Nancy, Ky., owns the February 2022 daughter of Conley Express 7211. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

10. Reserve Grand Champion Owned Female BNWZ Envious Blackbird 2026 won reserve grand champion owned female at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Josie Hopper, Maysville, Ky., owns the February 2022 daughter of SCC SCH 24 Karat 838. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated.

Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

11. Grand Champion Steer McCauley Perspective K15 won grand champion steer at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Adam McCauley, Cynthiana, Ky., owns the May 2022 son of Dal Porto Perspective X59. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

12. Reserve Grand Champion Steer R & K Pablo 12 won reserve grand champion steer at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Emily Jeffries, Canmer, Ky., owns the April 2022 son of Colburn Primo 5153. Lydell Meier, Clinton, Tenn., judged the bulls, females, cow-calf pairs, and steers; and Paige Pratt, Sugar Grove, Va., evaluated the phenotype and genotype females. A total of 71 entries were evaluated. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

Overall Showmanship Winner These juniors won top honors in their showmanship divisions at the 2023 Kentucky Junior Angus Preview Show, June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Pictured from left are Emily Jeffries, junior champion, and Taylor Jeffries, senior champion, both of Canmer; Clay Sparks, Winchester, national qualifier; and Danielle Taylor, Nicholasville, intermediate champion. Clay qualified to represent Kentucky at the National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest held in conjunction with the National Junior Angus Show this July in Grand Island, Neb. Photo by Next Level Images on behalf of the American Angus Association.

Kentucky Hereford Association

Kentucky State Fair Hereford Show

August 25 • 8 a.m.

Broadbent Arena

WELLS FARM

Polled Herefords 439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701

Toby & Debby Dulworth 2492 S. Kirkman Road

LaCenter, KY 42056 (270) 224-2993

dogwood@brtc.net

Herefords that thrive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com

6077 Helena Road

Mayslick, KY 41055

Charlie Boyd II 606-584-5194

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March

Hereford and Angus Bulls

Chambliss

Hereford Farms

Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss 1101 Driftwood Lane

Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Home (270) 982-3905

Cell (270) 668-7126

fax 270-735-9922

www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

WCN Polled Herefords

Since 1961

Bill Norris

2220 Celina Road

Burkesville, KY 42717

Phone (270) 433-7256

Cell (270) 433-1525

“Every calf needs a white face”

Bobby & Brenda Wells (606) 523-0569 or (606) 344-0417 wells_farm@yahoo.com

Kevin, Angela, Kenlea & Kyler Murray (606) 528-1691 or (606) 682-8413

KHA OFFICERS

President: Chris Hopper 606-584-7842

Secretary/ Treasurer: Suzanne Matheny 606-584-0577

suzannebmatheny@gmail.com

MPH Farms

Registered Polled Herefords PAUL L. HANCOCK 8559 KY 56 Owensboro, KY 42301 270-771-4194

Jackson Farms

Registered Polled Herefords PO Box 215 Cross Plains, TN 37049 615-478-4483 billymjackson@aol.com

“Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

WOLF FARM

Registered Polled Herefords

Bulls & Females for sale

Tim & Peggy Wolf

12939 Peach Grove Road

Alexandria, KY 41001

Home: 859-635-0899

Cell: 859-991-3484

Peyton’s Well Polled Herefords

The Lowell Atwood Family 133 Edgewood Drive • Stanford, KY

(606) 365-2520 home/fax

(606) 669-1455 cell

Victor- influenced cattle bred for performance on grass.

“Black cows need a good Hereford Bull”

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS

KYLE BUSH

K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM

859-588-4531 198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

THOMAS FARM

Eric & Ronnie Thomas

2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475

(859) 623-5734

Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256

“Cattle for sale at all times”

NJB Limited

Dale Stith 5239 Old Sardis Pike

Mays Lick, KY 41055

dalestith@yahoo.com (918) 760-1550

Home of Select Sires’ Boyd Fort Knox 17yxz54040

Polled Hereford and Gelbvieh Cattle 3459 KY Hwy. 1284 E. Cythiana, KY 41031 (859) 234-6956

Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln

Windy

Hills Farm

Jackie D. Perkins II 367 Mt. Pisgah Rd. Bremen, KY 42325 (270) 543-3586

Breeding to produce good cows since 1981

HEREFORDS

Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road

Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355

rockridgeherefords@gmail.com

www.rockridgeherefords.com

TK4

Herefords

Tony & Kathy Staples

992 Knotts Road Brandenburg, KY 40108 (270) 422-4220 tstaples@bbtel.com

PILE STOCK FARM

Registered Polled Herefords

HANSELL PILE, JR. 12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724

270-735-5192

270-862-4462

12 miles West of Elizabethtown

T S F

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

L. Wayne Beckley • 1420 Fitchburg Rd. Ravenna, KY 40472 • 606-723-3021

Cell: 859-779-0962

L.W. Beckley D.V.M 284 Pyrse Lane • Irvine, KY 40336

Cell: 859-779-1419 • Clinic: 606-726-0000

www.beckleyherefords.com

TUCKER STOCK FARMS

“Breeding Polled Herefords for over 58 Years”

Breeding cattle for sale at all times.

1999 Walnut Hill Rd.

Lexington, KY 40515

(859) 271-9086

cell (859)533-3790

Danny Miller jmspolledherefords.com

270-465-6984

270-566-2694

Tucker Stock Farms

“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”

“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”

John A. Tucker II 1790 Hidden Valley Lane Hudson, KY 40145 (270) 257-8548 Office (270) 257-8167

John Tucker II 1790 Hidden Valley Lane Hudson, KY 40145 270-617-0301

18-month-old Angus & Polled Hereford Bulls

“Bulls always for Sale”

WATSON LAND & CATTLE

Matt, Melinda, Harlee, & Wyatt Watson 6196 Mount Sterling Rd

Flemingsburg, Kentucky

melindawatson8660@gmail.com

Matt - 606-748-1600

Melinda - 859-625-8660

CATTLE FOR SALE AT ALL TIMES

TAURAMOXTM (MOXIDECTIN) INJECTABLE SOLUTION, THE CATTLE INDUSTRY’S FIRST GENERIC CYDECTIN® (MOXIDECTIN) INJECTABLE SOLUTION, NOW AVAILABLE FROM NORBROOK®

LENEXA, Kan., (June 20, 2023) – Norbrook® has added Tauramox™ (moxidectin) Injectable Solution to its extensive portfolio of cattle health products available to North American producers and veterinarians. Tauramox™ is the first generic Cydectin® (moxidectin) Injectable Solution available for the treatment of a broad range of internal and external parasites that impact the health and performance of beef and nonlactating dairy cattle (under 20 months of age).

Eric Moore, DVM, director of technical services for Norbrook®, says internal and external parasites can cause a range of problems for both beef and dairy cattle potentially reducing their milk production and limiting opportunities for weight gain. “All cattle are exposed to parasites at some point in their lifetime. Understanding which parasite lifecycle you are dealing with is critical in maximizing the effectiveness of your deworming program. Your program should include targeting a broad range of parasites. The active ingredient in Tauramox™ is an effective dewormer that targets both internal parasites such as gastrointestinal roundworms (including Ostertagia), lungworms and external parasites such as grubs, mites and lice.”

Ready-to-use Tauramox™ contains 1% moxidectin and is labelled to control adult and

certain larval forms of 12 types of roundworms, including the more devastating Ostertagia species; lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus adults and L4); grubs (Hypoderma bovis and lineatum); mites (Psoroptes ovis (Psoroptes communis var. bovis)); and lice (Linognathus vituli and Solenopotes capillatus). The product provides up to 42 days control of Dictyocaulus viviparus and Oesophagostomum radiatum; 35 days of control of Haemonchus placei; and 14 days control of Ostertagia ostertagi and Trichostrongylus axei.

“One unique aspect of the moxidectin molecule is that it doesn’t decimate the dung beetle population in your pastures,” says Moore. “Moxidectin, the active ingredient in Tauramox™, is dung beetle friendly.1 The injectable formulation of Tauramox™ offers the same parasite control and animal performance advantages as Cydectin® Injectable, but at a lower cost.”

Tauramox™ has a short, 21-day pre-slaughter withdrawal time, and producers can expect the same weight gain advantage as with Cydectin® Injectable. Tauramox™ is approved for use in beef cattle 8 weeks of age and older, and in nonlactating dairy cows 8 weeks to 20 months of age. It is not approved for use in veal calves. It is available in 500 mL bottles.

For more information on Tauramox™ Injectable Solution from Norbrook®, contact your veterinarian, animal health provider or visit Norbrook.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 21 days of treatment. This drug is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established for preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal.

© 2023 Norbrook® Laboratories Limited. Tauramox is a trademark and the Norbrook logo is a registered trademark of Norbrook® Laboratories Limited. Cydectin is a registered trademark of Elanco or its affiliates. 0423746-I01E

1Jacobs, C.T. & Scholtz, C.H., 2015, ‘A review on the effect of macrocyclic lactones on dung-dwelling insects: Toxicity of macrocyclic lactones to dung beetles’, Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 82(1), Art. #858, 8 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ojvr.v82i1.858

Modern-day ranching requires more information to produce better animals.

International Genetic Solutions works across breeds to provide more accurate head-to-head comparisons and maximum profitability.

IGS incorporates generations of data and the world’s largest multi-breed database to enable more powerful breeding decisions than ever before.

Better cattle. Better profits.

SIMMENTAL

KEVIN AND RACHEL BARRON

Crestwood, Ky (502) 905-5851 rkbarron812@gmail.com

SWAIN SELECT SIMMENTAL 12113 Green Valley Dr. Louisville, KY 40243 swainselect.com swainselect@gmail.com

facebook.com/swainselectsimmental

Fred & Phyllis: 502-599-4560 Chi & Angie: 502-287-2116

ROCKING P LIVESTOCK

8308 Orangeburg Road Maysville, KY 41056

Chan: 606-584-7581

Keith: 606-584-5626 rockingplivestock@maysvilleky.net

BRIAN & HEATHER SWAIN 3906 Pottertown Road Murray, KY 42071 • 270-293-4440 wksbswain@murray-ky.net

SIMMENTAL AND SIMANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

1939 Huntertown Road Versailles, KY 40383

BULLS FOR SALE

JUDY AND RONDAL DAWSON

1156 Buzzard Roost Road Shelbyville, KY 40065 502-593-5136 • jrdawson22@outlook.com

Chris Allen 859-351-4486 callenuky@hotmail.com

Dr. Henry Allen 859-229-0755

BRET AND LAURA JACKSON 859.533.3718 or 859.707.7200

REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS AND FEMALES FOR SALE

* FREE DELIVERY *

FOUR WINDS FARM

N ew Castle, Kentucky

(502) 296-1044

PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

Call 270-202-7186 for more info or check out www.oakhollowangus.com for current availability.

POLLED HERFORD BULLS FOR SALE

19–20-month-old Polled Hereford bulls. Good selection. Low birthweight, medium frame. Free Delivery Available. JMS Polled Herefords, Knifley, KY Danny 270-566-2694

Trent 270-566-2000

THE FOUNDATION SALE IX

September 16, 2023

United Producers Facility, Bowling Green, KY

Selling FULLBLOOD & PUREBRED LIMOUSIN

Genetics For info call: A C H Holdings, LLC

Stephen Haynes 270-799-8685

REGISTERED BLACK SIMMENTAL BULLS

Many blaze faced. Excellent EPD’s. Semen Tested. Delivery Available. Maximize your profit with proven performance. All bulls qualify for new CAIP cost-share. Adam Wheatley 502-349-2665

BREEDING AGE HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE AT ALL TIMES

Over 60 years of Line 1 Hereford Genetics. Groups of open and bred heifers available for sale at all times.

Chambliss Hereford Farms. 270-668-7126

RED ANGUS, SIMANGUS, CHAROLAIS, ANGUS FOR SALE

Red Hill Farms, Lafayette, TN, 615-666-3098 Bart, Sarah and Ty Jones

Gordon and Susan Jones, 270-991-2663

Visit us online - www.RedHillFarms.net

Contact us for cattle and semen availability. Annual Production Sales:

More Than a Bull Sale – 3rd Saturday in March Maternal Monday – 3rd Monday in May Bulls & Females of Fall Sale – Last Saturday in October

John Deere 6300-2 wd- cab and loader

John Deere 6400- 4wd- loader

John Deere- 3975- forage Harvester low use Artex-SB 200- new in stock

Artex SB 500 new in stock

Farmco hay wagons in stock

HORNING CORN headers - ready to load Horning Processors- order yours today Esch tedders in stock

Esch 5612 Drill - in stock

Tye 7 seeder- two to select from John Deere- 4020- 5 to select from 15 silage wagons to select from Call Charlie today 859-608-9745

WWW.REDBARNANDASSOCIATES.COM

KUBOTA 2019 DMC 8032R DISCBINE 10 ft 6 inch cut, transport 9 ft 4 inches, quick change knives, Excellent Condition, No problems. $18,900. Call Joe D. Burton & Sons Angus at 606-305-3081

OPEN REGISTERED BLACK HEREFORD HEIFERS

These heifers are 10 months old with great disposition. Delivery available. Also have fall-bred cows for sale that are carrying ABHA calves. Sweet T Farm, Cynthiana, KY 859-684-1509

Swinging for the Fences, Small Ball and Water Issues

Kevin Laurent Extension Specialist, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky

My alma mater, LSU, recently won the College Baseball World Series. All season long this team was ranked in the top five for home runs and total runs scored. Their approach was to “swing for the fences” or as it’s known in South Louisiana, “Geauxrilla Ball”. As impressive as their offensive stats were during the regular season, two areas of huge concern going into the World Series was their inability to play “small ball” (laying down bunts to advance the runner) and the inconsistent play of their bullpen. For many years, the College World Series was played at historic Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, and it was known as a hitter’s ballpark. Several years ago, a new stadium was built and is oriented so that batters hit into the prevailing winds, therefore home run production dramatically dropped. So, if you can’t knock it out the park, pitching and “small ball” becomes more important. Although my alma mater struggled in these areas throughout the season, fortunately during the World Series, pitching improved and for the most part, the weather conditions and wind direction were in their favor. So, was LSU just lucky? Not necessarily, but they did get a few lucky breaks as any championship team needs to win it all.

So how does any of this relate to water issues and producing beef? I think we can all agree that the subject of rainfall has been uppermost on our minds this spring and summer. At one point in late spring, conditions seemed eerily similar to the drought of 2012. As I write this in early July, most areas of the state have received timely rains, and hopefully

this will continue. Mother Nature has a way of exposing the weak areas of production systems, and the last several months are a prime example. Ask yourself a few questions. During the recent dry spell, did you feel like you were overstocked? Were stock water ponds getting low and overused, resulting in poor water quality? Did you have any areas of the farm with ample grass but no access to stock water? Do you have a backup plan when rain doesn’t come?

In Western Kentucky, several of the crop farmers have installed irrigation pivots, and this year the pivots have been in full use. But what about the years when we get ample moisture, are the pivots a waste of money then? Farmers will tell you that even in wet years the pivots pay, because it allows them to “swing for the fences” in terms of plant population, genetics and fertilization strategies knowing that if the rains don’t come, they can turn on the pivots.

So, if farming under pivots allows for “swinging for the fences,” what is the right strategy for pasture systems? Since most pasture systems do not have the access to irrigation, maybe a combination of stock water development along with a “small ball” approach might be more appropriate. Having water within 800 feet of grazing animals during the summer is a good goal. Missouri research shows that water within 800 feet results in improved forage utilization and more even nutrient distribution. Possible considerations for improving your cattle’s water access are to run water to the “back

forty,” or that field that has only been historically used for hay. Water development allows for rotational grazing, and rotational grazing will enable you to better withstand dry periods and grow more forage. How you use that extra forage is the next decision. Do we increase stocking rates or do we summer stockpile for drought insurance or winter stockpile to reduce feeding days? Deciding what to do with extra forage is a great problem to have.

A quote from a presentation by John Genho of Eldon Farms in Virginia at the 2019 Forages at KCA Symposium comes to mind.

“The economic optimum is always under the biological optimum when it comes to stocking rates. We should always run a few less cows than a field can actually carry to make the most money.”

The proceedings of his talk can be found on the UK Forages webpage under Profitability at Eldon Farms: Guiding Principles.

We are currently experiencing “World Series Championship Prices” for our cattle. These prices only come along every eight to 10 years. Hopefully these prices result in added income that can be used to improve infrastructure in our grazing programs. These improvements, when coupled with “small ball” stocking rate strategies, will help ensure economic survival over the long haul to make it to the next “championship” price year. Or we could simply sit around hoping that every year the wind blows in our favor.

TIMELY TIPS FOR AUGUST

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

• Fescue pastures don’t generally produce much this month. If you are lucky and had some rain with this heat, you may have some forage going into the usually dry months. Keep rotating pastures to permit calves to continue gaining weight. Always keep minerals available.

• Bulls should have been removed from the cow herd by the end of the month. They should be pastured away from the cow herd with a good fence and allowed to regain lost weight and condition. It is a good time to evaluate their physical condition, especially feet and legs. Bulls can be given medical attention and still have plenty of time to recover, e.g., corns, abscesses, split hooves, etc.

• Repair and improve corrals for fall working and weaning. Consider having an area to wean calves and retain ownership for postweaning feeding rather than selling “green,” lightweight calves. Plan to participate in CPH45 feeder calf sales in your area.

Fall-Calving Herd

• Dry cows should be moved to better pastures as calving approaches. Cows should start calving next month. Yearling heifers may begin “headstart” calving later this month. Plan to move cows to stockpiled fescue for the breeding season. It will soon be time to apply nitrogen fertilizer to those fields.

• Prepare for the fall-calving season (usually September). Get ready, be sure you have the following:

- record book

- ear tags for identification

- calf puller

- castration equipment

General

• Provide shade and water! Cattle will need shade during the hot part of the day. Check water supply frequently –high producing cows may require as much as 20 gallons per day in very hot weather.

• Select pastures for stockpiling. Remove cattle and apply nitrogen when moisture conditions are favorable. Stockpiled fescue can be es-

pecially beneficial for fall-calving cows after calving. Reproductive rates are highest in fall-calving cows grazing stockpiled fescue.

• Avoid working cattle when temperatures are extremely high – especially those grazing high-endophyte fescue. If cattle must be handled, do so in the early morning.

• Do not give up on fly control in late summer, especially if fly numbers are greater than about 50 flies per animal. You can use a different “type” of spray or pour-on to kill any resistant flies at the end of fly season.

• Keep a good mineral mix available at all times. The UK Beef IRM Basic Cow-Calf mineral is a good choice.

• Cattle may also be more prone to eat poisonous plants during periods of extreme temperature stress. They will stay in “wooded” areas and browse on plants that they would not normally consume. Consider putting a roll of hay in these areas and/or spraying plants like purple (perilla) mint that can be toxic.

• Take soil samples to determine pasture fertility needs. Fertilize, as needed, this fall.