Thoughts From Dave

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

I traveled from San Diego to Wooster, Ohio this month. By far the most exciting trip was to Wooster with the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen and the Tennessee Junior Cattlemen groups. I have to take my hat off to Bradon Burks and Jake Harrod in our office and the Tennessee staff for making this an outstanding trip. This was a FACT trip for high school age young people. In my opinion it was spot on. If we are going to continue to build a Cattlemen’s Association or the future beef industry, we are going to have to spend more time with this age group. There were 30 plus young men and women on this trip, and you would have been proud of them. I sure was. As I got to know them, I realized that our industry will be in good hands in the future. We just have to guide them and get them the tools they need to reach the next level.

Speaking of going to the next level, this trip really opened my eyes as to what the future of the beef industry will look like. For instance, one of the places they toured was Certified Angus Beef. CAB has changed the beef industry by making a better eating experience when you choose beef.

The junior cattlemen spent the entire day at CAB. There, they listened to educational talks, participated in hands-on meat cutting demonstrations, as well as cooking opportunities. To me, what really hit home was during the tasting demonstration. One of the five CAB chefs prepared a USDA select steak, a USDA choice, a CAB choice and a CAB prime steak. The steaks were all prepared the same way and cut into bite-size cubes which the group taste tested one at a time. With this one demonstration, it was easy to see why the industry promotes marbling in bull selection so much. There is a difference in taste. I wish you could have seen Jeremy Shryock’s son Drew and Ryan Miller’s son Landon. They came from the end of the bar to the center where they were passing out the samples and got all the extra samples, trimmings and even an extra steak to take back to the hotel. Between CAB, BQA and the cattle breeders, the enhanced eating experience and taste of beef has saved our industry.

The group also went to a feedlot, Eby Trailers, UPI for dinner and a stop at STgenetics. So, they got to see the full circle of the beef industry from bull selection to taste testing.

I had to come back to Lexington after the CAB visit, but I was at the office Saturday morning when the bus got back. I was so glad to see the young people were still excited. There were many friendships made and networks developed. I ask one of the young men from Tennessee what he enjoyed the most and his answer was STgenetics. I then ask him if the bull “Connealy Craftsman” was there, and he instantly showed me a video of the bull. The next thing I know, he is sharing videos of all the bulls and the facility. I am so proud that KCA, TCA and their Beef Councils can offer these kinds of opportunities for our youth.

While I am on genetics, I want to share with you two conversations that I had on the topic. One was with Scott Burks, an embryologist with Dr. Levi Holt. Scott rode with me to Wooster and back. I knew they did several embryo transplants, but I didn’t realize how many and for whom. Just seeing how many calls Scott had to take during our drive made me realize how many breeders are doing this and how many more people are getting involved with these new technologies. Scott is a busy man. Also, Dr. Gordon Jones has made two Saturday morning calls to me about genomic testing for commercial heifers. Dr. Jones can get way ahead of you when it comes to genetics, but I think the genomic testing of commercial heifers could be a game changer. We are talking about traits that you cannot see when you look at the animal. Just think if you can make a decision on what heifer to keep or cull early in the process how much that could benefit your herd.

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During their June meeting, the Estill County Cattlemen’s Association awarded their Eric Baker Scholarship to Abby Smith. The Estill County Cattlemen’s Association established this $500 onetime scholarship after the sudden loss of Eric Baker in September 2021. Baker served as the Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Estill County for 22 years. He was an active member of the Estill County Cattlemen’s Association and a prominent fixture for the agriculture community of Estill County.

Smith is the second recipient of the Eric Baker Scholarship. She is a 2023 graduate of Estill County High School and will be attending Western Kentucky University this fall and majoring in animal science. Smith hopes to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Danny Callahan and everyone in the Estill County Cattlemen’s Association for granting me this scholarship,” Smith said. “Eric Baker was a shining light in our community, and it is an honor to receive his scholarship. His willingness to lend a hand and never-ending kindness are qualities that I hope to carry with me in my future.”

Recently, we have been busy in Franklin County, especially for our younger members. This year we have started the Franklin County Junior Cattleman’s and they have been quite active already. Crystal Harrod, the groups advisor, has been monumental to the group’s continued growth and vigorous work ethic. Crystal has been paramount to the groups founding and we in Franklin County are excited to where she will lead this group and how she will help continue growing the future cattleman of Franklin County. The images show the Junior Cattleman have been a great help this year. At the dairy show and fair, they helped to run the shows, work booths and all around were amazing to work with. At the Frankfort Farm City Field Day held at Harrod Farms the juniors helped with setup, served food and were advocates for the beef industry to the public.

On July 3, the Hart County Cattlemen hosted their sixth annual Farm to Table Dinner at the Hart County Fairgrounds with around 270 in attendance. A delicious meal was served consisting of beef brisket, pork tenderloin, squash and zucchini medley, potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls, broccoli salad, slaw, tomatoes, various strawberry deserts, as well as ice cream. A large portion of the meal featured were item raised or grown in Hart County. Our speaker this year was Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers. He spoke about their social media platform and how they use that and their parodies for promoting agriculture. A big thank you goes out to our sponsors for helping to support this event.

A $500 Mason County Cattlemen’s scholarship was awarded to Colby Doyle. Doyle received his scholarship from Ronnie Lowe, county president.

Doyle is the son of Chad and Sandi Doyle of the “Slip-up” area of Mason County. His love of farming began at his grandfather’s knee while watching and learning a love of handling and working with cattle. Doyle began showing cattle when he was 6 and continues to do so.

Working with cattle has taught him many life lessons. In his application he wrote “Probably the most important lesson I learned is life doesn’t always happen when and how you want it to. Cattle don’t care how tired you are or what your plans are. There are no days off. Raising cattle isn’t for everyone but those that do it are truly blessed.”

Doyle graduated from Mason County High School this spring and will attend Morehead State University in the fall. He wants to remain active in the family farm while attending the university and beyond. His desire is to improve his education so that he can be a better cattle producer and to better educate others on the values and challenges facing agriculture.

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The Metcalfe County Cattlemen met on June 26 at the Metcalfe County Extension office.

President Tom Hughes welcomed everyone to open the meeting.

ProSolutions from Hiseville was the sponsor for the night. Daniel Crain was on hand to explain Pro Solutions’ services and how they could help in your operation.

Dr. Michelle Arnold, DVM with the University of Kentucky, presented a very informative PowerPoint on pink eye control in beef cattle.

Rib-eye steak sandwiches with sides were prepared by the cooking crew, and everyone seemed to enjoy their cooking skills.

Don't forget to go to join our Facebook page at https://tinyurl. com/bdhr5282.

Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association awarded Riley Martin a $1,500 scholarship. Martin will be attending South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. She is going for a major in animal science and a minor in precision ag.

Shelby County Cattlemen’s awarded some of our younger members a $50 check for showing their beef or dairy cow at our local county fair.

The Twin Lakes Association held its summer Field Day on July 13 at the farm of Steve and Carol Peddicord in Albany. A hot, dry day welcomed the crowd of about 60 people to enjoy wagon tours, guest speakers and a ribeye steak meal.

The wagon tours kicked off the program with the first stop being an information talk from Rachel Walker of Corteva Agriscience. Walker used the stop to help identify over 20 common pasture weeds found in this area, and explained different control methods along with proper timing.

A second stop included a weed application test field that showed the effects of using Grazon compared to no treatment. The Grazon application was showing strong results in controlling flowering nettle populations in the spring-seeded orchardgrass hayfield.

Next, a visit was made to a paddock that was being used to breed open heifers to calving ease Balancer bulls. Raising replacement heifers has been the primary enterprise at Springhaven Farms for the last several years. Steve Peddicord, farm manager, explained to the group the protocols that must be followed to raise replacements that are eventually marketed through the West Kentucky Bred Heifer sale in Guthrie.

Barren County News

submitted

by James W. Bailey

The Barren County Cattlemen’s Association meeting was Thursday, Aug. 10 at the Barren County High School Trojan Academy. During the meeting, Teri Atkins, CPC Feeds representative, presented an overview of Feeds, Commodity and Market update. She announced that the CPC Fall Field Day will be Sept. 7 at Fountain Run. A delicious steak dinner was sponsored by CPC Feeds. Pictured from left to right: Hadley Celsor and Teri Atkins of CPC Feeds and Joe Moore, Barren County Cattlemen’s Association president. U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie brought the Barren County Cattlemen Association members greetings and discussed the world beef market during the association’s Aug. 10 meeting.

Following the wagon tours, the association offered a full ribeye steak meal to those in attendance. Steaks were donated by member Nathan Groce of Albany. Groce Farms sells over 60 custom beefs during the course of the year. The program concluded with the featured guest speaker Gale Rippey of Galax, Virginia. Rippey received the national commercial producer of the year in 2019 by the American Gelbvieh Association. He spoke to the group about the importance of using crossbreeding in the commercial operation and the benefits it brings. He also mentioned the importance of all producers finding the niche in the cattle business they are comfortable with and trying to maximize the results.

Agency reports were given by Carissa Truman of FSA, Danny Hughes of NRCS and Colby Guffey of UK Cooperative Extension Service. The Clinton Soil Conservation District also had a display updating the available local cost share programs, plus some of the equipment available for rent was on display.

The TLCA would like to especially thank our local sponsors: People’s Bank and Trust of Albany, Groce Farms, Neal Realty, Neli Conner of Conner Farms (fantastic sweet corn donated), Hunter Shearer BBQ and everyone that helped to make it a very successful day.

This two-row forage head is a real treasure. Minimal

Oldham County News

submitted by Traci Johnson

Wes and Christy Husband of Caywoodland

Angus hosted Oldham County Cattlemen’s summer meeting. Wes, Christy and their four children run the fourth-generation farm that recently turned 100 years old. The Husbands direct market their beef and pork alongside a sizable CSA operation. They recently started a roadside stand and use social media to reach more customers. What started as a tobacco and dairy farm has made a successful transition to selling direct to consumers locally and into metro Louisville. Wes and Christy serve in many roles outside of farming and jobs off the farm including extension, ag development council and farm bureau. The Husbands were featured farmer panelists for extension’s recent Raising the Steaks and Chops program. Thanks to J Davy Farm Products and Sherwood Acres for donating ground beef and bratwursts for the meal.

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January 2012

KCA inducts first class of Hall of Fame

Inductees: Dell King, Earl Bill Goodman, Lloyd Gray, Gene Barber, Seldon Hail

June 2011

KBN Ultrasound Program

Funded by a grant from the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board, the KBN Ultrasound Program is designed for Kentucky beef famers who have a desire to assess the quality of their feeder calves and to provide those farmers with fast, beneficial data to make management and marketing decisions.

May 2013

Eden Shale Farm

In June 2012, the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture suspended operations of the Eden Shale Research Farm due to budget constraints. UK later contacted the Kentucky Beef Network with the opportunity to manage the farm. The opportunity was discussed by Kentucky leadership and an open forum was held in October of 2012 to discuss the opportunity. A majority vote led KBN to pursue the farm and the official agreement will be finalized within the next few days. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture has given KBN a wonderful opportunity to continue daily operations and management decisions for the Eden Shale Research said KBN Chairman Bobby Foree. This opportunity will allow KBN to continue its mission of helping Kentucky farmers increase farm revenue with innovative management practices and concepts through demonstrations put in place on the farm.

November 2010

Eastern Livestock

“More than 280 of Eastern’s alleged victims live here in Kentucky,” said State Attorney General Jack Conway. “These are hardworking families who have lost millions of dollars after receiving cold checks from Eastern Livestock. The impact has been particularly painful on our smaller farmers, some of whom have lost tens of thousands of dollars. This money was needed to pay for farm equipment, mortgages, bills, taxes and even put food on the table. Kentucky farm families are hurting.”

January 2014

Beef Efficiency Conference debuts at KCA Convention

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Beef Integrated Resource Management group teamed up with the Kentucky Beef Network, with support from the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, to offer a half-day Beef Conference Jan. 16 at the Lexington Convention Center.

February 2016

August 2014

Referendum sought on beef assessment

The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association has asked the Kentucky State Board of Agriculture for approval to conduct a statewide referendum of Kentucky beef cattle producers on a proposed state assessment of $1 per head of cattle marketed in the state. The request is on the agenda for the meeting Thursday in Louisville. If the board approves the request, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture will be required by state law to conduct the referendum. In a letter dated Aug 11, KCA Executive Vice President Dave Maples wrote that the assessment would be used “to promote and stimulate using research, market development, and education, the use and sale domestic and foreign of bovine animal products. If approved by producers, the assessment would become effective April 1, 2015.

September 2014

Kentucky cattlemen will vote on referendum

A referendum on whether Kentucky cattle producers will be assessed an additional $1 per head on cattle taken to market will soon be put to vote. Adult cattle owners will have the opportunity to vote Nov. 20 at local extension offices. In 1976, the Kentucky General Assembly created legislation that allowed for promotion of the beef cattle industry through a 10 cent per head checkoff, which was 10 years prior to the creation of the Federal Beef Promotion and Research Act. "We went to a dollar in 1988, and it hasn't been increased in 27 years," Maples said. "That dollar comes to our office and 50 cents of it stays here in the state. We send the other 50 cents to the national program." The Kentucky Beef Council uses that money to help fund research and the promotion of beef products, University of Kentucky Beef Specialist Jeff Lehmkuhler said. "The dollar today doesn't buy the same that the dollar did 30 years ago," he said. If the referendum passes, the additional funds will stay in the Commonwealth, Maples said. "Kentucky producers will have oversight of that dollar," he said. Feedback concerning the referendum has been mostly positive, Maples said. "Who else is going to promote your product if you don't?" he asked. "It's a way for our industry to step up and do its part."

December 2014

Extra $1 cattle assessment OK’d

Beef cattle producers in Kentucky have voted to assess themselves an additional $1 per head on cattle marketed in the state. The Agriculture Department said the final tally in last month’s statewide referendum was 1,816-1,423. The assessment takes effect April 1. Dave Maples, executive vice president of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, said the assessment would be used to promote the cattle industry in Kentucky.

Blue Grass Stockyards burns Gov. Matt Bevin, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray said Monday that the state and the city are ready to assist in rebuilding the business, which was destroyed by a three-alarm fire Saturday afternoon.

"The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is lending a helping hand and is ready to assist in any way possible to help Blue Grass Stockyards get back on their feet," Quarles said. "For me, some of my earliest childhood memories are sitting in the sale ring. My dad used to work here when he was a college student, so this is personal for me.

"But it's important to note Blue Grass Stockyards is one of the most prominent livestock facilities not just in Kentucky but in the eastern United States. And, with Kentucky being the number one cattle producing state east of the Mississippi, it's important that we assist with what's next.

September 2017

The YARDS opens at Blue Grass Stockyards

The Kentucky Cattlemen's Foundation was thrilled with the opportunity to open an educational facility, The Yards, at the new Blue Grass Stockyards location. Owners of the stockyards donated the classroom space and sponsors like Farm Credit Services and Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment helped to equip the classroom. The space is still being finished for classrooms, but will feature a wall including stockyards across the state, state of the art equipment and an opportunity for children and adults to learn more about the industry.

March 2018

The next time you stroll through meat department looking for a pound of ground beef, you can buy local. The Kentucky Association, in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Gov- Office of Agricultural Policy, partnered with The Chop Shop in Wolfe County and Creation Gardens of Louisville to produce an all-Kentucky hamburger that is now available in 85 Kroger stores across the state.

The product, which is 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat, is made from cattle raised in Kentucky. Most of the cattle raised in Kentucky are usually sold and shipped out of state to large feedlots and processors, who then ship the meat back here for sale. Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said Tuesday that this new product will keep the entire cycle in state.

The idea isn’t new; the Kentucky beef industry has been working on this for 18 years. But it required special certifications to meet the food safety standards of major retailers.

The hope is that demand will take off and the state can expand production, Quarles said. Right now, the KCA subsidiary Beef Solutions is producing about 3,000 pounds of ground beef a month from slaughtered cattle purchased from Kentucky farmers. As demand increases, the purchases are expected to give the farmers another market, Maples said.

JULY 2019

KCA Develops 2020-2025 Long Range Plan

A thirteen member planning committee made up of cattle producers; as well as industry, food and retail, and education sectors; finished a three month course to develop a long range plan for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association in April. During the planning process, the committee assessed the challenges and opportunities facing the Kentucky beef industry and evaluated the organization’s own capabilities crafting a roadmap that will focus and align its resources over the next five years. The plan, which was approved by the KCA Board of Directors in June, lays out four core strategies that will create benchmarks the Association hopes to reach. Those strategies are: Cultivate value-added marketing opportunities; Strengthen research, demonstration and outreach; Improve KCA engagement, collaboration and advocacy; Develop and leverage organizational infrastructure and capabilities

Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Convention goes virtual for 2021

The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Convention is one of the largest gatherings of cattle producers in Kentucky each year and is tasked with educating and preparing for the year ahead. Unfortunately, the current pandemic has presented many challenges that make bringing people together difficult. After thoughtful discussions amongst attendees and the convention center, and with the health and safety of our attendees in mind, KCA has made the difficult decision to make the 2021 Convention a virtual event.

"While we're disappointed that we had to cancel our in-person Convention, we are working to make the KCA Virtual Convention a great one! We continue to be so thankful for the strength, flexibility, and support the KCA community has exhibited during this pandemic."

JULY

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 Farm 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.

Growth of the Association:

2010: 7,970 Members

2011: 8,737 Members

2012: 8,808 Members

2013: 9,292 Members

2014: 9,678 Members

2015: 10,041 Members

2016: 10,473 Members

2017: 10,671 Members

2018: 10,861 Members

2019: 10,733 Members

2020: 10,738 Members

2021: 10,115 Members

2022: 10,920 Members

2023: 11,114 Members

Who knows what could happen next?