Cow Country News- June 2024

Good things can turn to garbage quickly if you aren’t mindful. You can ask any kid who left his baseball in the yard and returned to it waterlogged. I have seen plenty of basketballs baked by the summer sun start to peel. A house that is otherwise fine but has a bad roof will become in disrepair quickly. A car with a minor maintenance issue that isn’t resolved can turn into one that never runs again. We can go on with countless examples of rusted tools, fencing materials that take a little too long to return to after a long weekend, and equipment that just needs one repair that sits too long. If we don’t take care of our things, they become garbage before we know it.

Plenty of parallel examples exist where good can turn to garbage in a hurry. The first one that comes to mind is pasture management. A clean or newly established pasture is a tremendous asset. If pastures are grazed too heavily and not given adequate rest, then it will be worth a lot less to you. You simply will not get as many grazing days out of ill-managed pastures. You must figure out how many cows, how many days, and the ideal rest period before you ever open the gate to turn cows in. Earlier this month, I had 70 cows grazing 20 acres for over two weeks. That was my plan going into it. Cattle hadn’t been on that field since last fall, and they probably won’t be on it again until the end of next month. We graze it very hard with dry cows but give it plenty of rest. Conversely, I have some fields that I have already been on this spring, let rest, and will be on again before the end of the month. We plan for a week on and three weeks off on those. If you jump around without a plan, the long-term health of your forage system is going to suffer. Ultimately, it will be much less valuable to your operation.

The next concept that comes to mind is the detriment to your cow herd if you run a bull with your cows year-round. Suppose you calved out a set of 30 heifers in 45 days this year. In a typical commercial herd, you will have 75-85% that breed back to calve again in February, March, and April of 2025. If you don’t take your bull out at 90 or 120 days this year, the remaining heifers that would have otherwise been open will probably breed when you pull the calves in September or October. This will result in 20% of those heifers calving in June and July of 2025. Then, when your cows calve in 2025, they won’t all breed back in April like they did this year since they will spend February and March exposed to a bull. Some of those February calving cows will breed back to calve in December 2025 and January 2026 with a ten- or eleven-month calving interval. Some of those cows will breed back to calve in May and June 2026 with a 14- and 15-month calving interval. Your June and July calving cows will be even further scattered. Given the heat and limited forage resources of breeding in late summer, many will likely elongate their calving interval and calve in

August, September, and October of 2026. If you manage your herd bull this way, you will have turned as tight of a calving season that is practical in cow-calf production into a heterogenous mess in less than 2 years. You will be calving nearly every month of the year by 2026. It is almost impossible to properly vaccinate, market, or retain heifers from a herd that scattered. A set of 30 heifers with calves at side has the same value as an excellent tractor today. You would never dream of decreasing the value of a piece of equipment that badly over 18 months, but many won’t think twice about turning a bull out and leaving him in for years. If that isn’t turning good into garbage I don’t know what is. Taking care of your pastures and managing your calving season are the two most important things you can do for your operation. Don’t let mismanagement make either worth much less to you, and others, than they could be.

Joe K. Lowe II M.S. Agricultural Economics

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COLUMNISTS

07 Jeff Pettit President's Thoughts

08 Jonathan Shell Commissioner's Corner

10 Dave Maples Thoughts from Dave

22 Dr. Michelle Arnold Animal Disease Traceability RuleInfrequently Asked Questions

26 Chris Teutsch 2024 Forage Worker’s Tour…Western Kentucky Edition

46 Kevin Laurent Play the Short, Medium and Long Game Strategies to Maximize Returns

FEATURE STORIES

8 KBC Welcomes Summer Intern Charity Moore

14 Cattle Working Contest Offers Hands-On Experience

18 Bovine Beauties

25 Commissioner Shell, Kentucky Cattle Producers Celebrate May as Beef Month

40 Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Awards Youth Scholarships

County News

Legislative Update

Economic & Policy Update

Membership

Kentucky Beef Network

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On the cover: Piper Kemp, Gracie Gist and Trenton Page competed as Adair FFA Team A in the Cattle Working Contest. photo by Todd Brown

EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE

OFFICERS:

President

JEFF PETTIT Sebree

President Elect

RANDY WARNER Sharpsburg

Vice President

ALLAN BRYANT Eminence

Treasurer

KEN ADAMS Upton

Past President

ANDY BISHOP Cox’s Creek

KCA Program Chairman

DANIEL HAYDEN Whitesville

KBC Chairman

RYAN MILLER Lebanon

KBN Chairman*

ALLAN BRYANT

Beef Solutions Chairman*

DANIEL HAYDEN *ex officio

REGIONAL DIRECTORS:

REGION 1

Wayne Zoglmann, John Mark Brown, Ashley Holloway, Leland Steely, Gary Woodall, Coleman Ladd, Susan Zoglmann, Bill Plemmons, Kenton Howard, Sara Roberson

REGION 2

Phyllis Gentry, Joe Lowe, Allison Nissley, Rayetta Boone, Robbie Hatfield, Chris Imbruglio, Maggie Webb, Mike Jones, Corbin Cowles, Glenn Byrd, Isaac Thompson, Kenneth Green, Trent Jones, Brian Manion, Joe Mike Moore, Amy Cecil

REGION 3

Amanda Hall, Nathan Lawson, James Brown, Phillip Douglas, Larry Bryant, Lincoln Clifford, Abbey Biddle, Ben Tinsley, Kevin Perkins, Kyle Bush, Michelle Simon, Craig Retzlaff

REGION 4

Amy White, Brad Reynolds, Chad Anglin, Phillip Stamm, Danielle Harmon, Bruce Witt, Jodi Purvis, Mike Ravencraft, Ronnie Lowe, Danny Callahan, Jason Crowe, Rob Amburgey

REGION 5

Adam Chunglo, Brent Woodrum, Tommy Spalding, Dean Craft, Doris Hamilton, Rick Brewer, Brent Williams, Anne Bays, Terry Mattingly, Ryan Miller, Phillip Reese, Tommy Glasscock

Executive Committee members in bold

KCA PAST PRESIDENTS:

1972-73 Jere Caldwell† - Boyle 2004 Paul Napier - Lincoln

1974-77 Smith T. Powell† -

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

Carey Brown Chief Operating Officer

Kenny Allen Beef Solutions Operations Manager

Kelly Baird KBC Director of Communications

Todd Brown Graphic Designer

Bradon Burks KBC Director of Education

Rachel Cain Membership and Communications Coordinator

Amelia Carter KBC Director of Industry Relations

Danny Coy Video Production Specialist

Jake Harrod KBN Program Coordinator

Dan Miller KBN Industry Coordinator

Debby Nichols National Advertising Sales, LAN

Katie Pratt Communications Manager

Alex Scott KBC Director of Nutrition

Becky Thompson Director of Kentucky Beef Network

Kelly Tucker KCA Collections & Compliance

Nikki Whitaker Director of Operations & Policy

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.

President's Thoughts

Jeff Pettit KCA President

Hey y’all! Summer is finally here!

Haying, spraying, fertilizing, fencing and the list goes on. We will all be very tired before you know it, but we all keep going. We love it, and we are blessed to be able to do it!

WOW, what a blessing and what a responsibility has been bestowed upon KCA. As you probably have heard by now, KCA received funding for the Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center to be built on the University of Kentucky’s C. Oran Little Research Center in Woodford County. We need to say “Thank You” to a lot of friends in Frankfort and our own Nikki Whitaker and Dave Maples, who have worked tirelessly toward making this happen. Also, thank you to the many leaders of KCA over the years who envisioned this project and kept it alive. These include Dr. David Williams, Chuck Crutcher, Tim White, Cary King and others that I know I am leaving out. Thank You!

Folks, this is HUGE! This is not just an office building for KCA and potentially other livestock associations. It will be a place that brings everyone together to support the improvement and sustainability of the livestock industry. Your Checkoff dollars will be utilized by performing culinary training that’s centered on BEEF, as well as educating youth and producers on stockmanship and sustainable practices. I know the list will continue to grow! I feel that with the high caliber staff we are blessed to have at KCA, this opportunity will define Kentucky as the place to go for information in the eastern United States when it comes to cattle production and beef! I have already been privileged to be in the room where talks are already taking place about research projects, grants and relationships that will develop because of this facility, and we haven’t even broke ground yet! Stay tuned for more exciting details to come in the following months!

Traceability tidbit for June. You probably have heard and read about the updated rule that came out of USDA by now. It wasn’t much in the way of change or new requirements. It mostly tried to clarify and better define the existing rule. Here is a link you can use to read its exact wording for yourself, tinyurl.com/yxdr4efu. Keep in mind EID tags are FREE; contact the Kentucky state vet’s office to get yours!

I had the honor and privilege to represent KCA and our producers on a recent trip to Washington, D.C. We met with our Kentucky legislators and discussed issues that are concerning to us as producers. We had many good conversations concerning Paraguay beef imports, EID/ Traceability, processing facilities, as well as the Checkoff and beef promotion, to name a few. Rest assured that the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association as well as National Cattlemen's Beef Association are well known and respected by our legislators in DC!

To me, its always neat how God works. On our trip to DC, I got to visit with producers and representatives from other states’ cattlemen’s associations. One very interesting conversation occurred between the current president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and myself. Interestingly enough, he and I are from the same county and graduated from the same high school. We each are serving as current presidents of our respective state associations hundreds of miles apart and years later during the same year. It truly is a small world.

In closing, I want to remind you as a Kentucky beef producer what you are a part of. Kentucky is ranked No. 8 in the U.S. for the number of beef cattle. Kentucky is THE largest cattle state east of the Mississippi river, and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association is the second largest cattlemen’s association in the United States! That is pretty impressive, but it all comes from a lot of hard work and dedication by many who love what we do and by producing and promoting beef!

Happy trails until next month!

Commissioner's Corner

Jonathan Shell Agriculture Commissioner of Kentucky

It’s June, and I invite all Kentuckians to join me in raising a glass to Kentucky’s dairy farm families during Dairy Month.

Make sure the glasses are filled with the official state drink of Kentucky. No, it’s not bourbon. It’s milk!

Few things are as refreshing – or nutritious – on a warm day as a tall glass of cold milk. With essential nutrients such as calcium, potassium and vitamin A, plus protein to help build and repair muscle tissue, milk is a great choice for many active people.

Many foods are made with milk, such as butter, cheese, ice cream and yogurt. Summer officially starts later this month, so June is the perfect time to celebrate dairy foods and the family dairy farms that produce them. Kentucky’s dairy cow inventory numbered 43,000 head at the beginning of this year. Our bovines produced 915 million pounds of milk, more than 20,000 pounds per head, valued at more than $197.6 million last year.

I have some other interesting data and statistics I want to share, so just for fun, I came up with a little quiz to test your dairy knowledge (answers are below):

What year was Dairy Month established?

a. 1889

b. 1919

c. 1939

d. 1959

The average American consumes how about much milk each year?

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a. 10 gallons

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How much milk has the same amount of calcium as seven oranges or six slices of wheat bread?

a. Half pint (8 ounces)

b. 1 pint (16 ounces)

c. 1 quart (32 ounces)

How much yogurt do Americans eat per year?

a. 300 tons

b. 3,000 tons

c. 30,000 tons

d. 300,000 tons

How much milk does it take to make 1 pound of butter?

a. Just over 1 pound

b. Nearly 2 pounds

c. Just over 12 pounds

d. Nearly 22 pounds

Why is butter yellow?

a. It gets its color from the sun.

b. It turns yellow when exposed to oxygen.

c. It comes mainly from betacarotene in the grass cows eat.

d. It comes mainly from the warming of the milk in the cow’s body.

How much milk does it take to make 1 pound of cheese?

a. 1 pound

b. 5 pounds

c. 10 pounds

d. 20 pounds

What’s the most popular cheese in America?

a. Mozzarella

b. Cheddar

c. Parmesan

d. Swiss

How much milk does it take to make 1 gallon of ice cream?

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a. 1 pound

Charity Moore of Germantown, Ohio, has been selected as the 2024 summer intern for the Kentucky Beef Council. Charity was raised on a grain, forage and beef cattle farm. On their farm, they operate a feedlot for fat cattle and sell them for freezer beef and maintain a small purebred Simmental herd.

Charity’s main focus on their farm is to continue to grow and improve their purebred herd. She grew up showing through 4-H and was heavily involved in FFA.

Charity is a senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in animal sciences (food animal enterprises and production) with a minor in agricultural economics. She is the chapter secretary for Sigma Alpha (professional agricultural sorority), a MartinGatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment student ambassador, and is involved with both Collegiate Farm Bureau and the Block and Bridle Club. Charity also works part-time at Wayward Hill Farms.

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b. 3 pounds

c. 6 pounds

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d. 12 pounds

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What’s America’s favorite ice cream flavor?

a. Vanilla

b. Chocolate

A.W. GRAHAM LUMBER LLC

d. 1 gallon (128 ounces)

Through her background in agriculture and involvement in various organizations, Charity knew she had a passion for not only the agriculture industry, but the beef industry as well. She is excited to continue to expand her knowledge of the industry through working with the Kentucky Beef Council as a summer intern.

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d. Chocolate chip

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Saturday, June 8 @ 3:00 PM Tack 6:00 PM Horses

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KY Simmental Assoc Sale

Saturday, September 28

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Friday, October 11 & Saturday, October 12

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Friday, October 18 & Saturday, October 19

Southeastern Gelbvieh Alliance Saturday, October 26

KY Hereford Assoc Sale Saturday, December 7

Thoughts From Dave

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

It seems like a never-ending story. Our industry has had to deal with some big issues this past month. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was first reported in dairy cattle in late March. I got the notice of the finding with a request for a NCBA Zoom call on a Saturday afternoon. At the time, I was at a bull sale, and all I could think about was the call I got about BSE 20 years ago. Thankfully, this has not been as bad as BSE, but the news has caused disruptions in the futures market. Biosecurity and disease outbreaks are real concerns in the animal agriculture industry. You have to take it seriously and pay attention. You also have to be on top of all the rule making issues.

As a result of HPAI, there have been some new rules developed for the movement of dairy cattle that have

caused some disturbances. Also, there was testing of ground beef that caused news waves and resulted in a drop in the market. Those ground beef tests came back negative, thankfully. Hopefully, we can get this issue of bird flu, which is identified as H5N1, behind us.

During the past month, the USDA announced the final rule on the electronic identification devices. Most all of the rule was already in place. The biggest change was replacing the metal tags with EID tags. There was funding for the EID tags to go along with the rule change.

The Kentucky livestock industry scored a major win last month when the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 1. In that bill, over 170 one-time funding opportunities from the General Fund’s Budget

Reserve Trust Fund Account were identified, including funding for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association to build the Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center. The center will be located at the University of Kentucky’s C. Oran Little Research Center in Woodford County. This is a wonderful opportunity for Kentucky’s livestock industry. We have an agreement with UK for an 80-year-lease on a 15-acre parcel of land at the Woodford County farm. Again, it is another wonderful opportunity. This public-private partnership will be a win-win for the livestock industry and the University of Kentucky.

On a personal note, my brother sent me a picture of our dad breeding a cow. This was a special picture because it marked a milestone for

Dad, who is 87 years old. He has bred a cow−I would say lots of cows up until the past few years−for 60 years in a row. As a kid growing up, artificial inseminating our cows was just business as usual. I thought that was the way everyone got their cows bred. I asked Dad how he learned to breed cows. He said, “I went to the Graham School in Garnett, Kansas, in 1964.” I ask him how he got there, and he said, “I had a flight from Alabama to Kansas City and then rode a bus to Garnett.” One of his memories of the trip was of the bus layover in a small town in Kansas. The tornado sirens were blaring, and Dad didn’t know what was going on because he had never heard them before. It’s a good thing that he didn’t get blown away. The other thing that he told me was that on the first day of class at the Graham School he was given a pair of nail clippers and was instructed to keep his fingernails clipped short. You see, that was in the days before plastic gloves. Dad said, “You had to really want to breed cows back in those days.”

Allison Charolais

Allison Charolais

Charolais Breeder Since 1962

Charolais

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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, Farm Manager 502-706-0075

David Carter, Farm Manager 502-706-0075

David Carter, Farm Manager 502-706-0075

BARREN COUNTY NEWS

submitted by James W. Bailey

The Barren County Cattlemen’s meeting was held Thursday, April 18 at the Barren County High School Trojan Academy. During the meeting, Ty McGuire of Biozyme presented a program on the importance of vitamin and mineral supplements to cattle’s diets. Pictured from left to right are David Sinclair and Ty McGuire of Biozyme and Don Wilson, treasurer of the Barren County Cattlemen’s Association. Biozyme sponsored the delicious steak dinner.

FRANKLIN COUNTY NEWS

submitted by Crystal

Harrod

On March 16, 15 Franklin County junior cattlemen toured the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture's Meats Lab, where they learned the process of producing meat from start to finish.

On April 13, three junior cattlemen and their advisors Crystal and Ally Harrod passed out hot dogs grilled by the Franklin County Cattlemen and apples to participants at the Re-Forest Frankfort.

On Monday, April 15, 19 Franklin County Junior Cattlemen’s Association members and advisors Crystal Harrod, Ally Harrod and Susan Wise attended BQCA training taught by UK Extension Agent Keenan Bishop.

Franklin County High School FFA has a Drive Your Tractor To School Day each year for FFA students. The students meet at the Franklin County Extension office and then drive their tractor about a mile up the road to the high school. Once the tractors reach the high school, they are on display the rest of the day for all the students to view. This year, the FCJCA was well represented with seven junior cattlemen driving.

On Saturday, April 20, 15 junior cattlemen and their family and friends toured Chaney's Dairy Barn in Bowling Green. The juniors got to see the robotic milker in action and learn the process of how milk and ice cream is made from start to finish.

MCLEAN COUNTY NEWS

submitted by Nathan Howard

The McLean County Cattlemen’s Association has awarded the 2024 $500 scholarship to Jillian Graham of Calhoun. She is a 2024 graduate of McLean County High School and plans to attend Murray State University and major in agriculture education.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY NEWS

submitted by Caleb Johnson

The Christian County Cattlemen’s Association hosted their spring meeting in March. Their longtime partner Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA sponsored the meeting. The meal feature ribeye steaks prepared by the grilling team and additional food prepared by a local catering company. It was a huge success.

In April, the association received an award in the nonprofit category at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Compass Awards Dinner. This was a pleasant surprise and a reflection of the association’s hard work over the years. Christian County Cattleman Don

TODD COUNTY NEWS

submitted by Traci Johnson

Emily Frogue earned the 2024 Todd County Cattlemen’s $500 scholarship. Emily is the president of the Todd County FFA. She will attend Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College this fall and will later attend Murray State University and pursue a degree in ag finance. Pictured with Emily are Don Laster, Todd County Cattlemen’s Association president and Tony Berry, treasurer.

Pemberton accepted the award on the association’s behalf.

Also in April, the association cooked 500 ribeye steaks for the local Rotary Club for the final night of their 74 Rotary Auction. The cattlemen and the Rotary Club have a great partnership that they hope continues for years to come. Cattlemen who cooked for the Rotary Auction are from left: Dustin Love, Don Pemberton, Craig Richardson, Matt Futrell, Jack Orem, Bradley Bardwell, Alex Futrell and Caleb Arnell.

The association is currently planning its 25th annual Christian County Cattlemen’s Lone Star Scholarship Rodeo. It has become a huge event for the region and directly impacts local kids with their post high school education.

Cattle Working Contest Offers Hands-On Experience

Katie Pratt Kentucky Cattlemen's Association

BOWLING GREEN, KY−Kentucky high school students showcased their livestock handling and management skills during the first ever Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association Cattle Working Contest at Western Kentucky University’s L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center in Bowling Green. A team from Scott County took home top honors.

The contest was a joint effort between the Kentucky Beef Network, Kentucky Beef Council, Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association and the Kentucky Beef Quality and Care Assurance program. It was modeled after similar events in Virginia and Georgia.

“We wanted to provide students with this hands-on opportunity that they may otherwise not have access to and schedule it during free BQCA month, so they could get BQCA-certified for

free,” said Becky Thompson, director of the Kentucky Beef Network.

The first statewide contest featured 13, three-person teams from across Kentucky. Participants had to be high school students and organizations such as FFA, 4-H and county cattlemen’s associations could field teams.

“I want all cattle kids to feel a sense of belonging in the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association,” said Bradon Burks, director of education for the Kentucky Beef Council. “Events like this spread of our reach of ‘cattle kids’ in the state and encompass all sectors of the cattle industry.”

All competitors had to be BQCAcertified prior to the contest. It was a certification that Piper Kemp, Adair County High School junior, sought out and found to be a very valuable educational experience.

She is the first person in her family’s commercial operation to become BQCA certified.

“I wanted to learn what the Kentucky BQCA standards were so I could make sure we were meeting those standards on our farm and keeping the cattle and ourselves safe as we work them,” she said. “The BQCA training definitely made me be more aware of my surroundings. I have more knowledge about medications and who you can trust to be around when you are working cattle.”

To help students become BQCA certified and familiar with the event’s requirements, the KJCA and Kentucky Beef Network hosted a Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Academy in October 2023. More than 90 Kentucky students participated in that event including Nate Crumbley, Nelson County High School junior.

“The training day in the fall was a big help in preparing us for this event,” he said. “We practiced a lot two weeks before the competition on how to read labels and calculate doses. Our coach gave us problems to solve.”

The Breckinridge County High School FFA advisor Derek Smith said the event was appealing because of its real-world applications.

“I saw the event on Facebook and wanted to field a team because it was a hands-on experience for the students,” he said. “It wasn’t a test, and they didn’t have to give a speech. It gave them very practical knowledge that they can use in their own operations.”

Smith team’s prepped for the contest by working around 80 head of cattle.

“We administered dewormer, fly tags, vaccinations and ear tags,” said Maggie Blair, a Breckinridge County High School junior. “It definitely helped us feel more comfortable going into the contest.”

Several county extension agents also helped with BQCA certification for students who wanted to compete but could not attend the academy in the fall. Some offered the training to more than just the contest’s

competitors.

“The high school FFA teachers and I collaborated to offer the BQCA training to around 40 students in our county,” said Nick Roy, Adair County agriculture and natural resources extension agent. “We have working facilities at the high school where students get chute-side training by working local producers’ cattle.”

During the competition, students had to develop a cattle processing plan that they used as their chuteside guide. The plan included procedures, products to be used, route of administration, application location, dosage and pre-slaughter withdrawal time. They also had to solve a team problem that required them to calculate vaccination dosage and costs. Then, they went to the chute and had to work three weaned calves within 20 minutes using BQCA guidelines. The students gave each animal a dewormer and ear tag, conducted an ear notching/BVD test and administered a 7-way clostridial and respiratory complex vaccines with a focus on cattle handling and safety.

Students received scores for their cattle processing plans and team problems. They were judged by an

extension agent, veterinarian and a cattle producer on their chute-side techniques.

“There are so many youth involved in the beef industry today that don't receive recognition they deserve for tasks that they may do at home,” Burks said. “Many of our students don't want to give a speech, do an interview, etc. but they would love to be competitive in a contest that is hands-on and that they can see as applicable in the real world. It is so awesome that we get to help lead and train future cattle producers to perfect their craft at a younger age.”

The plan is for the statewide contest to become an annual event each spring with the academy offering preparation for the contest in the fall and both continuing to coincide with free BQCA training months.

Contest organizers hope the event grows in the future.

“Our dream is to have enough teams to have regional qualifying events for the state competition,” Thompson said. “A bigger dream would be to have winners of the state contest compete against other states.”

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

CATTLE PRODUCERS SUPPORT HOUSE AG COMMITTEE FARM BILL FRAMEWORK

Cattle Producers Support House Ag Committee Farm Bill Framework

Senate Framework Harmful to Livestock Producers

WASHINGTON (May 1, 2024) – Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane responded to the release of Farm Bill frameworks from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees:

“We are very pleased with the Farm Bill framework released by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson. Since 2023, Chairman Thompson has gone to great lengths to meet with America’s cattle producers in every region of the country and craft a Farm Bill that supports their unique needs. We are especially pleased by the chairman’s focus on voluntary conservation programs that are increasingly popular with cattle producers, animal health provisions that protect the U.S. cattle herd, and investments in food security that support our broader national security.

“Unfortunately, the Senate Agriculture Committee majority has failed to engage in the same level of outreach to real cattle producers, and their framework reflects that lack of producer input. While there are some bipartisan elements to the Senate proposal, there are many provisions which would be harmful to livestock producers. We look forward to the House Agriculture Committee’s May Farm Bill markup and will continue engaging with members of the committees to advocate for the cattle industry.”

NCBA STATEMENT ON USDA FINAL TRACEABILITY RULE

WASHINGTON (April 26, 2024) – Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) final traceability rule: “USDA’s final traceability rule updates the existing requirement for animal identification that has been in place since 2013, switching from solely visual tags to tags that are both electronically and visually readable for certain classes of cattle moving interstate. Many producers are already familiar with using these visual tags and under the new rule, they will instead use electronic tags. NCBA has worked hard to secure $15 million in funding for producers to reduce the cost of implementing this change. We also remain committed to safeguarding producers’ private data and continuing to reduce the cost of ear tags for farmers and ranchers. Our industry faces a tremendous threat from the risk of a future foreign animal disease on American soil. To avoid devastating financial losses during a potential outbreak and to help producers quickly return to commerce, we need an efficient animal disease traceability system.”

Background

The USDA final traceability rule amends a previous 2013 rule that requires sexually intact cattle 18 months of age or older, rodeo and exhibition cattle, and dairy cattle moving interstate to have an official form of animal identification. The 2013 rule, which cattle producers already comply with, instituted visual

ID tags for interstate movement. The new final rule switches producers to electronic ID tags, which are easier to read and would yield a faster traceability response during a foreign animal disease outbreak. The cattle industry faces immense threats from foreign animal diseases, which can be carried into the country by individual travelers, on contraband products, or through regular commerce. It is estimated that a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the U.S. would lead to $221 billion in economic losses. Only 11% of the U.S. cattle herd is impacted by this final rule. The rule will not take effect for six months to provide time for producers to prepare.

NCBA CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Producers Discussed Farm Bill, Reducing Regulation, and Countering Animal Rights Activists

WASHINGTON (April 19, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) concluded another successful Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The threeday event brings cattle producers from across the country to Washington to meet with federal agencies and elected members of Congress.

“This Legislative Conference was a great opportunity to meet with our representatives in Congress and discuss issues with agencies like USDA, EPA, and the Fish and Wildlife Service,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher. “I am thankful for the work that NCBA’s team does every day in Washington, and meetings like this are so valuable for showing policymakers how the decisions they make here in Washington impact our farms and ranches thousands of miles away.”

This year, more than 300 cattle producers traveled to Washington and participated in 170 meetings on Capitol Hill. Attendees also met with officials from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Farm Service Agency. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also shared valuable updates on the inspections that occur at ports of entry to prevent diseases and pests from entering the United States.

“The Legislative Conference is a testament to NCBA’s grassroots leadership and role as a member-driven organization,” said Idaho rancher and NCBA Policy Division Chair Kim Brackett. “Unlike activist-led groups that are little more than a fundraising website and a lobbyist, NCBA represents real farming and ranching families across the country. We showed that to members of Congress and agency staff, and delivered the message that policymakers need to listen to real cattle producers when making decisions that impact our livelihood. I have seen firsthand how NCBA’s work in Washington benefits our industry and I encourage you to join us and support that work too.”

During the event, NCBA members discussed their priorities for the next Farm Bill, including the need for animal health, disaster relief, risk management, and voluntary conservation programs. Producers also urged policymakers to reduce red tape on farms and ranches by reeling in overreaching regulations from federal agencies. Additionally, members discussed the need to protect the cattle industry from the threat of a foreign animal disease and defend the Beef Checkoff from animal rights activist attacks.

VETERINARY MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE to third or fourth year Kentucky student enrolled in a College of Veterinary Medicine. Apply at KYCATTLE.ORG by AUGUST 31, 2024

Megan Tindle - Beauty and Not A Beast - Henry County

Tess Priddy - Feedin' the cows with Daddy - Hardin County

Chantel Langfels - New Beginnings - Bourbon County

Tess Priddy - Just hangin' with my heifers - Hardin County 5. Brittany Estes - Herman & Emersynn - Clark County

Kyle Wooton

Wooton

Maci Brown - You Had Me at Rodeo - Anderson County

Damond Reid - Daddy Let Me Drive

Maci Brown - Buckle Up Buttercup - Anderson County

1. Elli Ramey - First Snow Day - Pendleton County

2. Megan Tindle - Hi, I'm New Here - Henry County

3. Chassity Warner - Sale Book Cover - LaRue County

4. Dollie Brown - I Shall Call Him Squishy - Anderson County

5. Morgan Hourigan - Big Boss - Adair County

6. Ashlee Johnson - Mom! You're embarrasing me! Knox County

7. Morgan Hourigan - Missing Baby - Adair County

8. Jericha Walker - Kentucky Longhorn Winter - Harrison County

9. Chassity Warner - Hungry Hungry Heifers - LaRue County

Stacey Hutchison - Highland Sunset - Pulaski County

Spring 2024 Farm Observations Across Kentucky

Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) Program

The Kentucky Farm Business Management Program is a program of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky. Extension specialists serve four farm analysis associations working with cooperating members to improve farm management techniques and decisions through recordkeeping and analysis. Currently, KFBM serves 355 farms that are representatives of 49 counties. KFBM specialists work very closely with a diversity of farms and this article will share some of the real-time observations that they have seen this spring.

Lincoln Trail Association

Spring is here, and producers are taking advantage of the dry weather between rain showers to spread fertilizer. It is still early but wheat looks good after getting much-needed fertilizer applied. One concern for most is commodity prices. Producers are not confident that current commodity price levels will result in positive gains for the year. The decline in farm incomes in 2023, coupled with low commodity prices will make for a challenging 2024. Input costs have backed off some to help with profitability, but producers are still considering ways to lower expenses. Another concern is interest rates and if rates will come down in 2024. Interest expense on operating notes has become a larger percentage of the farm operating budget, and this was not there in the past years. After 2022 and 2023, cash is no longer there for producers to utilize so finding the right lending products will be beneficial to most.

Ohio Valley Association

Field operations and planting continue in the Ohio Valley area. Several acres of soybeans have been planted as of midApril. A small amount of corn has been planted. We received much-needed rain about a week ago. Talk in the area indicates producers will continue their usual rotation despite the outlook of the budgets. Some adjustments to the amount of fertilizer may

occur to stem some of the costs. In addition, the market for used equipment has decreased.

There was a broad range in net farm incomes and management returns for 2023. A lot depended on when the fertilizer was purchased, but there was also a variation in yields across the Ohio Valley. Some had excellent yields, and some were on the verge of a crop insurance claim. However, overall, we expect a large drop in management returns. Poultry producers had another strong year, and cattle producers saw profits last year since cattle prices were strong most of the year.

Interest rates were a topic of nearly every visit this winter as we have been experiencing higher rates for over a year. Interest on the line of credit was the biggest concern, but equipment rates have increased significantly as well, and many are factoring that in when discussing trades. Higher equipment costs and higher interest rates really add up.

Concerns are growing for the 2024 crop year. Fertilizer prices have come down some, but not in proportion to grain prices. Current market prices look to be below break-even levels for the 2024 crop using average yields.

There have been several land sales in the last month and land prices are not coming down. Rents are also holding strong, despite the negative incomes last year.

Wheat and rapeseed crops in the Ohio Valley area look outstanding, despite being very dry over the winter. Rapeseed is in full bloom and those producers should make a profit since their price was locked in. The wheat producers need another year of outstanding yields to make a profit since wheat prices have also

dropped. The early April rains provided much-needed moisture. To put into perspective the dryness, one producer has a pond that they water cattle out of dried up in March; it usually doesn’t go dry until August.

The Ohio River is very high now and some crop ground is under water that was planted in early beans. As soon as the fields dry up, most of the crop will be planted quickly. Most everyone had anhydrous and fertilizer applied by the end of March and was sitting on go when the cold temperatures came back for a week.

Cattle producers are all pretty positive right now. Cattle prices have held strong, and most producers selling feeders now are surprisingly getting better prices than they did in 2023. If we can continue to get rain to help the hay crop this summer, it is looking like cattle may see another profitable year.

Pennyroyal Farm Analysis Group

In the Pennyroyal area, winter wheat is looking good, and some fields have started to head out. Each day that passes relieves a bit of fear of a late freeze and encourages the idea of a strong wheat crop like the last three years. Some farms are reporting a bit of freeze damage because of the mid-March freeze, but the 2023 wheat crop also showed some freeze damage at a similar growth stage and farms still reported near-record yields.

Corn planting has begun in the region but has been slowed in some areas due to wet weather. A few farms are finished planting, and some have not begun as they are waiting for soil temperatures to moderate. There are a few farms that have planted some soybeans. However, with the recent rains, the need for replanting is becoming a concern. Tobacco plants are growing in greenhouses, and a few tobacco farmers in the area are starting to welcome back the first round of H2A workers that will help with seeding, prepping equipment, and greenhouse work. There have been reports of cutworms appearing in the tobacco seedlings much earlier than usual.

Many tobacco farmers took a hit over the winter, as several tobacco companies cut contracts by anywhere from 20-60%.

Coupled with large cuts in 2022, 2021, and 2020, several tobacco farmers are facing major operation shrinkage. There are some growers whose contracts were eliminated and others who chose to exit tobacco production altogether. Continued increasing wages in the H2A program and a decline in H2A worker productivity have frustrated some growers beyond the point that they are willing to continue in the industry.

Farmers are fully feeling the impact of lower grain prices and higher interest rates. We have now had a full operating cycle of higher interest rates, and many farmers are feeling the impact on their cash flow. The volume of unpriced old crop grain, not just in Kentucky but across the country, has farmers concerned about the prospect of market rallies. The decision to sell grain and lock in prices to stop storage and interest costs versus holding onto it for a market increase is a tough one that many farmers are still struggling with. Reports of bankers either not renewing operating lines or putting farms on notice are unfortunately on the rise.

Purchase Area Association

Spring planting is underway. This spring has been relatively dry, with mostly favorable weather, although slightly cool at times. This has allowed many producers to start spring planting preparations. Producers were able to do some early tillage and fertilization, which will make actual planting go much faster and smoother. Conditions allowed for both hog and chicken manure applications to be made this spring ahead of planting. Several producers have opted to plant early soybeans ahead of corn,

waiting for the ground temperatures to warm just a little more before planting much corn. Over the last couple of years, there has been a greater interest in planting early soybeans and so far, yields have been favorable. Planting soybeans this early does require some extra seed treatments to protect the seed as it stays in the ground a little longer before germinating than later planted soybeans.

Crop prices for the 2024 crop are not where most producers or lenders would like them to be. Despite the lower prices, there does not appear to be many producers who are changing their crop rotations. There does seem to be less wheat across the area this spring, as June wheat prices were around $5.00 last fall, not providing much incentive to plant the crop. Several producers are still holding onto a little bit of the 2023 crop, hoping for some marketing gains. However, more and more are being forced to sell the crop, as they need to generate revenue to help start the 2024 crop. Most producers have been disappointed after putting the 2023 crop in storage, as there have not been many opportunities to sell above the harvest price.

Tobacco producers are struggling this year, as contracted pounds were cut by tobacco companies over the winter. Several producers experienced reductions in the number of pounds they have contracted of more than 30%. For many, this causes questions about whether they can afford to bring in their H2A workers. Tobacco has typically been a profitable enterprise for Kentucky producers. Without the revenue from tobacco sales, these producers will likely experience decreased profitability.

The profitability outlook for the 2024 crop is questionable. While input prices on fertilizer are much lower than in the last couple of years, the output prices are significantly lower as well. Producers will be looking for any rally in the market and will hopefully take advantage of any opportunities to lock in some higher prices. Several producers burned through some of the cash reserves they had from the 2021 and 2022 crops in 2023. This reduction in available cash will make the 2024 crop year feel much tighter. Lenders are also looking very closely at cash flow projections for the 2024 crop. With higher interest rates, the options of doing a refinance to help with cash flow are off the table. The increase in interest costs makes the refinanced payments just as high or higher than existing payments in many cases.

Animal Disease Traceability Rule Infrequently Asked Questions

Michelle Arnold DVM (Ruminant Extension Veterinarian, UKVDL)

In a USDA press release issued on April 26, it was announced that a new rule titled, “Use of Electronic Identification (EID) Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison,” was finalized. This final rule is an amendment to the animal disease traceability regulations already in place as of January 2013. The new rule requires eartags to be both visually and electronically readable to be recognized as official eartags for interstate travel for cattle and bison covered under the regulations. In addition, the amendment revised the definition of dairy cattle, clarified certain recordkeeping requirements and revised requirements for cattle moving to slaughter. This final rule is specifically focused on improving our ability to trace LIVE animals accurately and rapidly to contain disease outbreaks before they do substantial damage to the cattle industry. The rule will be

published in the Federal Register in the coming weeks and will take effect 180 days after its publication. APHIS maintains an Animal Disease Traceability webpage with direct access to the Final Rule, FAQs, how to obtain free electronic ID tags, and other resources at https://www.aphis. usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/ traceability. This article will attempt to address some of the less frequently asked questions about important aspects of the new rule.

Has anything changed with this new rule regarding which cattle are required to have “official identification” when moving interstate?

No, the final rule does not change the categories of cattle and bison subject to the official ID requirements for interstate movement. Cattle and bison that move interstate and fall into specific categories need official, individual eartags that now can be

read both visually and electronically. The requirement for individual identification does not include feeder cattle, nor any cattle or bison moving directly to slaughter.

Beef cattle (and bison) that currently require official ID:

◊ All sexually intact beef cattle and bison 18 months of age or over;

◊ Cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events; and

◊ Cattle and bison of any age used for shows or exhibitions.

Dairy cattle that currently require official ID:

◊ All female dairy cattle of any age and all dairy males born after March 11, 2013; The new rule revised the definition of dairy cattle as follows: “All cattle, regardless of age or sex or current use, that are of a breed(s) or offspring of a breed used to produce milk or other dairy products for human consumption, including, but not limited to, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Milking Shorthorn, and Red and Whites.”

According to the revised definition of “dairy cattle”, the offspring of a dairy animal requires official ID for interstate movement. Does this include Beef on Dairy calves?

Yes! According to the final rule, “APHIS’ operational guidance has consistently held that beef/dairy cross bred cattle fall under the definition of dairy cattle and are therefore already required to have official identification; our change to the dairy cattle definition codifies this longstanding guidance regarding how to interpret the regulations. Beef/ dairy cross breeds should already be officially identified. We have no indication of noncompliance or controversy surrounding this policy. We acknowledge the possibility that

there may be cattle producers that did not consider their beef/dairy cross breeds to be dairy cattle and were alerted to our interpretation of the definition of dairy cattle to encompass beef/dairy cross breeds by this rulemaking.” In addition, the revision states that the official ID numbers of all dairy cattle, regardless of whether they are sexually intact, must be recorded on the Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI or “Health Certificate”).

Why would Beef on Dairy calves be at higher risk for disease?

“As stated in the proposed rule, dairy farm management practices, such as pooling colostrum from multiple cows for many calves, commingling calves at different locations during their lifetimes, and movement to many destinations, result in a higher risk of disease transmission. Beef/ dairy crosses born on dairy farms are likely to be exposed to these practices, especially in early life; therefore, they are at an increased risk of disease transmission.”

The final rule added several recordkeeping requirements for official identification. Currently anyone (state, tribe, accredited veterinarian or person) who distributes official ID devices must maintain records of recipient names and addresses for five years. How did this change?

The final rule added that the official ID distribution records must be entered by the person distributing the devices into a database designated by APHIS. Any eartags applied by a federally accredited veterinarian must also be recorded in a readily accessible database available to APHIS in the event of a traceback. However, a producer who applies official ID tags to his or her own animals but does not distribute the tags to anyone else does not fall under the recordkeeping reporting requirement.

APHIS did add a new paragraph stating that required records must be maintained by the responsible

person or entity and “be of sufficient accuracy, quality and completeness to demonstrate compliance with all conditions and requirements” of the final rule. It further requires that APHIS be allowed access to all records during normal business hours, to include visual inspection and reproduction (e.g., photocopying, digital reproduction), and the responsible person or entity must submit to APHIS all reports and notices containing the information specified within 48 hours of receipt of request for records.

Is a PIN still required to acquire and apply EID tags?

Yes. The PIN (premise ID number) is a nationally unique number assigned to a premise, usually issued through the state animal health official, that is a “geographically distinct location.” The PIN is associated with the location the tag was placed on the animal, not the location of the cattle owner. “All currently approved EID eartags (RFID AIN “840”eartags) are associated with a PIN or a state location identification number (LID), inasmuch as a PIN or a LID is required for” acquisition of the tags. “A PIN is the numerical equivalent of a 911 postal address or a GPS number. A LID is the state-managed equivalent for producers who prefer to have the state store their information, rather than the federal government.”

This final rule does not require producers to purchase and affix EID eartags to their cattle as the only acceptable official identification device or method to meet the official identification requirements for interstate movement; the regulations continue to list eartags as one of several forms of authorized official identification, which also include tattoos and brands when accepted by state officials in the sending and receiving states. (See Frequently Asked Questions at the APHIS website for further information).

Given that a major reason for this new official ID rule is to keep transcription errors to a minimum, why does APHIS still

require a visually-readable tag?

The 15-digit identification number currently used for all approved EID eartags begins with the same six digits: 840003. The first 3 digits are the country code, which is 840 for the United States. The following 3 digits, 003, signify a sequential numbering system from a start number of 003,000,000,000. Therefore, an individual visually reading an EID tag would only read 9 unique characters (the characters following 840003). These characters are only numbers, with readability standards including larger font size and color contrast. A transcription error “is not likely to significantly increase from the current state when relying on visual read of the eartag; if anything, several factors should make it easier, not harder, to transcribe the tag number. However, the use of EID tags would allow for an electronic read of the tag if a transcription error were believed to have occurred.” This final rule does not require producers or livestock markets to have electronic reading equipment or additional data management systems, because the official EID tags must be readable visually as well as electronically. RFID tags were previously categorized as either “Low Frequency” (LF) or “UltraHigh Frequency” (UHF). This final rule refers to RFID tags as “HDX” or “FDX”. Are these terms similar?

The RFID tag technology can be categorized by the radio frequency range it uses to communicate, either low (LF) or ultrahigh frequency (UHF)—whichever the state, producer or industry sector prefers. Low frequency tags have a shorter read range, and only one tag can be read at a time. UHF has an extended read range of up to 30 feet, faster data transfer and is better suited to capturing load lots of cattle.

However, RFID can also be categorized by the way information is transferred between the tag and reader, either “Half Duplex (HDX)

or “Full Duplex” (FDX). HDX tags are heavier. They transmit information one way at a time and are better able to transmit through interference such as metal objects. They have the strongest read range. FDX eartags are lighter in weight. They transmit information continuously but are more susceptible to interference from metal objects and fluorescent lights. Regardless of type, all RFID tags must be approved by USDA and meet standards for quality and performance, be tamper proof, contain a unique ID, and display the U.S. official eartag shield.

What if the animal already has “official identification” such as the NUES Metal Tag or a visual-only tag? Does it have to be removed or will it be required to apply an additional electronically-readable tag?

No, all visual-only official ID tags applied prior to the date the rule is effective will be considered official identification for the animal’s lifetime including the metal NUES tags (Figure 2), commonly referred to as “silver” or “brite” tags, and the Brucellosis Vaccination metal tag, an orange metal tag that indicates the animal was calfhood vaccinated for Brucellosis (Bangs Disease). However, a visually and electronically readable official eartag may be applied to animals currently identified with non-EID official eartags or Brucellosis vaccination tags, even though this results in more than one official eartag in an individual animal.

What must be on an official ear tag?

USDA Official Eartags (Figure 3) are designed for one-time use (tamper evident) and imprinted with:

◊ A unique animal identification

backtag) unless held up for more than three days. This final rule clarifies that animals may only move to another slaughter establishment or approved feedlot, with appropriate documentation

Stoltzfus’ unique dual wheel offers fertilizer precision with the

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Figure 2: (NUES) Metal Tag (“Silver” or “Brite” tag)

Redhawk CU100

Commissioner Shell, Kentucky Cattle Producers Celebrate May as Beef Month

PROCLAMATION CELEBRATED THE BEEF INDUSTRY IN MAY

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 6, 2024)

– Kentucky cattle producers and industry representatives joined Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell Monday as he signed a proclamation commemorating the month of May as Kentucky Beef Month.

“With 907,000 head of beef cattle in the commonwealth, Kentucky remains the state with the largest beef inventory east of the Mississippi River,” Commissioner Shell said. “We retain that title with the hard work of our cattle farmers. I ask that Kentuckians join me in recognizing their effort, diligence and perseverance as we celebrate May as Kentucky Beef Month.”

The United States is the world's largest producer of beef, primarily high-quality, grain-fed beef. Kentucky boasts the eighth largest herd in the nation. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kentucky is home to 31,060 beef cattle producers of the 69,400 total farms in the state.

January 2024 numbers for beef cows are up 1.3% from 2023. Last year’s lower numbers were mainly due to a combination of widespread drought in 2022, high production costs and high cull cow prices. The impacts of combined issues resulted in large decreases in beef cow numbers nationally and on a state level. 2023 saw a rebound from the issues of 2022 showcasing the value of this sector and indicating the state’s cattle industry is still a major contributor to the state’s overall economy.

In 2023, Kentucky produced approximately 705 million pounds of beef valued at $1.23 billion. Beef cattle sales accounted for approximately $1.26 billion in cash receipts to Kentucky producers in 2023 and gross income of $1.28 billion. Cattle cash receipts rank fifth among Kentucky commodities and

account for 13% of an estimated $8 billion in ag cash receipts for 2023.

The top five Kentucky counties for number of beef cattle are:

• Barren

• Pulaski

• Madison

• Breckinridge

• Warren

“May is national beef month. A whole month to celebrate not just beef, but our hard-working beef producers as well,” said Ryan Miller, Kentucky Beef Council chair. “We want to take this time to help promote and enjoy our product. We also want to say thank you to everyone in our great industry for helping do your part in feeding the world.”

To further protect the beef industry and the work of farmers across the state, Commissioner Shell teamed up with Attorney General Russell Coleman in March to oppose a new Biden administration proposal that targets Kentucky’s meat and poultry processing industry. In a pair of letters, the Kentucky statewide

officials condemned both the policy and legality of the proposal.

The letters focused on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed requirements that meat and poultry processors build water treatment plants. According to Shell, complying with the regulation could cost millions of dollars for Kentucky entrepreneurs for initial installation and hundreds of thousands in annual maintenance and testing.

Roughly 120 meat and poultry processors are operating in Kentucky. Shell argued the EPA’s rule would disrupt the farm to table supply chain.

Protecting Kentucky’s beef producers is important for Kentucky’s economy. The Biden administration’s regulation could erase millions of dollars invested in Kentucky agriculture. With a focus on rural economic development, conservative estimates show Kentucky has invested in agricultural development and financing to the tune of $696 million.

2024 Forage Worker’s Tour…Western Kentucky Edition

Chris Teutsch UK Research and Education Center, Princeton

Each spring, our forage working group takes a couple of days and tours forage-livestock operations and associated agribusinesses in a different region of the commonwealth. Our group is comprised of graduate and undergraduate students, research technicians, USDA-ARS researchers from Lexington, and UK faculty members from various departments (Image 1). The common thread is an interest in forages. This tour allows us to get out of the office and off campus to see what is happening in the “real world.” It also allows us to spend some time together as a group and talk about issues facing the Kentucky forage-livestock industry and how we can best coordinate our efforts to address these challenges. This year’s tour was in Western Kentucky. In the remainder of this article, I would like to share a few photos and a brief recap of our stops.

UK Research and Education Center at Princeton

Our tour started at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton. As you might recall, the station was destroyed by an EF-4 tornado in December 2021. The station is recovering well with all major buildings being completed by a target date of late 2025. At this stop, we visited a bale grazing project that is putting data behind this practice. The objective of this study was to document long-term changes in soil fertility due to bale grazing. A 10-acre pasture with low fertility was used for this study. Before bales we set out, the pasture was frost seeded with red and white clover and annual lespedeza. Approximately 20 tons of hay (50-4 x 5 round bales) were set out in January resulting in a density of 4-5 bales per acre. The pasture was stocked with 50 cow-calf pairs in early February and an electrified polywire was used to allocate enough hay for two days. Initial data indicates a much-improved manure distribution, increased clover, significant pugging damage and

speedy recovery of damaged areas (Image 2).

Porter Road Meat

Our second stop was Porter Road Meat located in Princeton (Image 3). This processor has developed a niche market for high-end meat that is shipped direct to the customer, sold at store front space in Nashville and distributed to Nashville restaurants. One of the things that makes this operation unique is that they work with a local producer in Western Kentucky to pasture finish with a “grain on grass” program that ensures a consistently high-end beef product. They also process and sell pastured pork and poultry (Chickens are processed at a different plant). This tour stop illustrated the challenges and opportunities in developing local meat markets. More information on Porter Road Meat can be found at https:// porterroad.com/.

Roper Beef and Cattle Company

Our third stop was Roper Beef and Cattle Company located in Marion. This relatively new start-up is utilizing South Poll cattle that have been selected for grass-based operations (Image 4). Participants visited with Caroline Roper about low soil fertility challenges that she faces and approaches that she is using to utilize naturally occurring sericea lespedeza in her operation. The tour group also visited 200 acres of native warmseason grasses that are currently enrolled in a NRCS EQIP project. Roper is also developing local and online markets for her beef. More information on Roper Beef and Cattle Company can be found at https:// www.facebook.com/RoperBeef.

Deweese

Hay Emporium

On the second day of the tour, we moved from Marion to La Center, which is located in far west Kentucky. Our first stop was Deweese Hay Emporium. This relatively new cash hay operation is focusing on providing high quality alfalfa and

grass hay for the equine markets in Western Kentucky and the Nashville area. Keith and Ellis Deweese have developed hay markets using direct contact and a strong social media presence. One of the challenges that they face is labor for bale handling. Over the last three years, they have used several methods for accumulating and handling bales and have recently settled on a system that bands 14 small squares together into a rectangular package that can be handled with a grapple (Image 5). More information on Deweese Hay Emporium can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100069764102993.

Dogwood Farm

Our final stop of the tour was Dogwood Farm in La Center. This grass-based operation uses regenerative grazing practices to convert cropland back to pasture for more than three decades. They utilize a relatively high stocking density for a short grazing period, rotating animals to new pasture every 1 to 3 days. Dogwood Farm has diverse mixture of cool-season grasses and legumes and several stands of eastern gamagrass for summer grazing. Debby and Toby Dulworth have focused on developing Hereford genetics that work in their grass-based environment for more than 50 years (Image 6). More information on Dogwood Farm can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ dogwoodfarmky/.

This year’s forage tour did a nice job highlighting the diversity of foragebased operations in Western Kentucky and their summarizing the challenges and opportunities. To learn more about forage-based operations in your region, make plans to attend the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council’s east or west summer forage tours. More information on these tours and other forage-livestock related events can be found at on the UK Forage Extension Webpage, https:// forages.ca.uky.edu/.

FEATURED VIDEO

This month’s featured video is: “Liquid Calcium: Boon or Boondoggle”. This video can be viewed on KYForages YouTube Channel, https:// tinyurl.com/34k2p96u.

FEATURED PUBLICATION

This month’s featured publication is: “AGR-236, Baleage: Frequently Asked Questions” by Jimmy Henning, Chris Teutsch, and Ray Smith, Brandon Sears, and Lisa Baxter. You can access it at https://tinyurl. com/2jpejkjn or by visiting your local extension office.

FENCING TIP

Always connect electrified wires with clamps. Loose connections result in loss of voltage. Connections should not be wrapped, but rather clamped together with a high-quality clamp that is designed for high tensile fencing. Never use clamps that are constructed of dissimilar metals. Although economy clamps constructed of cast metal are sometimes available, they often fail upon tightening. Saving a few cents on clamps often leads to exponential headaches in the future.

FORAGE MANAGEMENT TIPS

• Clip pastures for seedheads and weeds.

• Use temporary fencing to increase paddocks numbers that will allow for longer rest periods as higher temperatures slow plant growth.

• Utilize naturally occurring summer grasses such as crabgrass and johnsongrass.

• Start to graze summer annual and native warm-season perennial grasses when they reach a height of 18 to 20 inches. Stop grazing at a residual height of 8-10 inches.

• Scout pastures for summer annual weeds and control when small.

• Make plans to attend the upcoming Electric Fencing Troubleshooting School in Morgantown.

Image 2: Students brushing up on forage ID at the bale grazing study area at UK Research and Extension Center in Princeton.

Image 3: Nick Michel of Porter Road Meat explains the process by which a primal cut becomes a finished cut that is shipped to consumers.

Image 4: Caroline Roper with the assistance of Isabelle and Jack provide a tour of Roper Beef and Cattle Company located in Marion.

Image 5: Ellis Deweese talks about the equipment required to produce high quality hay in Western Kentucky.

Image 6: Toby Dulworth (center) visits with students about the importance of leaving residual forage in pastures to protect the soil and provide food and habitat for all the other species that live in or at the soil surface.

Image 1: Forage Worker’s Tour group was made up of students, technicians and faculty members that have a common interest in forages and livestock.

MEMBERSHIP

2023-24 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

* MEMBERSHIP YEAR 10/1/23– 9/30/24

NAME SPOUSE NAME

FARM NAME

*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:

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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

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

Louisville Area ................$20 (Jefferson, & Spencer) Magoffin .........................$20

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

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

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

(Boyd, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, & Martin) Hopkins ..........................$35

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

IF YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JOIN THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION The NCBA is now a State Marketing Partner with the KCA. You can pay your dues to both organizations with one check, at the same time.

1,501-1,750 $1,760 1,751-2,000 $2,027 > 2,000 $2,027 + $0.4053/HD

Kelly Baird Director of Communications and Events

The Derby PLT burger was a hit!

The Derby P.L.T. Burger, the 2024 Derby Burger Challenge champion, was a hit! This 100% beef burger on a brioche bun was topped with pimento cheese, red onion, butter lettuce, remoulade and a fried green tomato. This mouth-watering sensation took storm at each event we were able to attend. From Kroger samplings to Bourbon-Ville and the Taste of Derby festival, Kentucky Beef Council and Beef Solutions staff were able to hand out over 2,000 samples. This doesn’t include the burger being sold at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront in Louisville. As a sponsor of the Derby Burger Challenge, KBC was also able to showcase the Derby P.L.T. Burger at all major television stations in Louisville and on radio stations across the state. And, if that wasn’t enough, the derby burger ingredients were showcased at participating Kroger stores on the end-cap. Overall, the derby season is always a win for the beef industry when serving the Derby Burger!

Summer grilling is upon us!

It’s time to fire up the grill and make summer sizzle with beef! With endless preparation methods (indirect, direct or smoking) and grill preferences, there’s a delicious recipe ready for everyone to love this summer at a barbeque, gathering or dinner at home.

When grilling, there are a few guidelines from beefitswhatsfordinner.com that can help for a no-fuss cleanup, and make you feel like an expert griller this season! If you’re anything like me, following these steps can make grilling at home a fun, easy experience for dinner.

Prep Pays Off Plan on pulling meat from the fridge, seasoning well and getting started right away.

Fire it up Make sure your grill grate is clean. If you’re using charcoal, make sure you know how much you’ll need and how to build the charcoal pile. For gas grills, refer to the manual, and set the grill to medium.

Grill, Baby, Grill Use an instant-read thermometer, and let it go. One flip is usually all you need, and will help avoid charring and burning. Be ready to turn down the heat or move the meat if needed. (Keep in mind the internal temperature will continue to rise for a few minutes after coming off the grill.)

Rest and Relax Rest the meat before serving, even if you’re hungry. For most grill-friendly cuts, 5 minutes is enough. Finishing touches Be sure to cut across the grain to maximize tenderness. Then, ENJOY!

Find a beef recipe sure to satisfy cravings for you and your family at kybeef.com. I know I am excited to try this grilled steak flat bread! Remember Father’s Day celebrations are a perfect time to show off those grilling skills. We have the recipes for you!

Grilled Steak Flat Bread

Ingredients: 1 beef Strip Steak, Boneless (about 1 pound) • 1-8oz refrigerated pizza dough • 1 white onion, sliced • 1-1/2 Tablespoon olive oil • 1/2 Cup roasted red peppers, sliced • 1/2 Cup blue cheese, crumbled • 1/2 Cup arugula leaves • 1 Tablespoon balsamic syrup • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking: Pre-heat a small skillet over medium heat; add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and onions to the pan. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until onions are caramelized; Remove from skillet and set aside.

On a greased sheet pan, take the pizza dough and form it to the size of the sheet pan. Brush both sides of the dough with 1/2 Tablespoon of olive oil. Place pizza dough on grid over medium heat. Grill the dough for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side being careful not to burn it. Remove the dough and place it back on the sheet pan. Top the flat bread with roasted red peppers & 1/4 cup of blue cheese. Bake in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes; once the cheese is melted

slightly remove from oven and set aside.

Season both sides of the steak with salt & pepper. Place steak on grid over medium, ash-covered coals or over medium heat on preheated gas grill. Grill according to the chart for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Remove steak and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into 1/2inch strips and set aside.

Take the flat bread and top with the caramelized onions, arugula, sliced steak, remaining blue cheese, and drizzle the balsamic syrup on top. Cut into 6 even sized squares and serve.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REMITTING THE CHECKOFF ASSESSMENT?

BUYER

Generally the Buyer is responsible for collecting the Beef Checkoff assessment from the Seller

SELLER

However, both the Buyer and the Seller are responsible for seeing that the Checkoff is collected and paid. or pays $2 to

QUALIFIED STATE BEEF COUNCIL

Cattlemen’s Beef Board invests in national Checkoff programs, while Kentucky Beef Council invests in state programs.

If you are a producer from one of these seven states - Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island - you will remit directly to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. If you have any questions regarding who is responsible for remitting the Checkoff assessment or how to remit payment, please contact your State Beef Council or the Cattlemen’s Beef Board at (303) 867-6304.

3 Exceptions to Beef Checkoff Collection: 1. Non-producer status: If a person (or company) owns cattle for 10 days or less, purchases the cattle to facilitate the transfer of ownership to a third party, and certifies that any Checkoff dollars due from the previous owner have been collected, then that person qualifies as a “Non-Producer” and the Checkoff assessment is not due when qualified cattle are resold. 2. Organic Exemption: In the 2002 Farm Bill, Congress created a process exemptiing organic producers from paying Checkoff program assessments. 3. Pre-Payment: Producers can also choose to “prepay” the Checkoff assessment when shipping cattle out of state for feeding and still retain ownership on the cattle. This allows the producer to direct half of the $1-per-head national Checkoff assessment to the beef council in the state where the cattle were raised, rather than the state where the cattle will be fed. Note: To claim any of these exemptions, the person selling the cattle must provide the proper ‘document’ to show that the Checkoff assessment is not due at the time of sale. Thus, the rule of thumb for all cattle sales is that the person paying the producer should collect either a “Dollar or a Document.”

LIVESTOCK MARKET - When cattle are sold through a livestock market or video market, the Market collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

CATTLE DEALER/ORDER BUYER - When cattle are sold to a Cattle Dealer or Order Buyer, the Dealer/Order Buyer collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

ANOTHER PRODUCER - Both the Buyer and the Seller are responsible for making sure that the Beef Checkoff assessment is collected and remitted. For clarity and consistency, we encourage the Seller to take on this compliance responsibility.

VEAL GROWER - When dairy calves are sold to a Veal Grower, both the Buyer and the Seller are responsible for making sure that the Beef Checkoff assessment is collected and remitted. For clarity and consistency, we encourage the Seller to take on this compliance responsibility.

CATTLE SHOWS AND FAIRS - When producers sell their animals at fairs or cattle shows (4H/FFA shows, Purebred cattle shows, etc.), the Organization that runs the sale collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

FEEDLOT - When cattle are sold directy to a feedlot, the Feedlot collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

PACKING PLANT - When cattle are sold to a packing plant, the Packing Plant collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER BEEF SALES - When producers market their cattle as beef, the Producer is responsible for remitting the Beef Checkoff assessment.

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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

A three-year research study was conducted using Fescue 7 at Morehead State University. Researchers measured cow body condition scores, calf weights, hair shedding, body temperature, and cow behavior. Cows provided the Fescue 7 mineral had significantly better body condition scores, quicker hair shedding, lower body temperature and grazed more frequently during the heat of the day. We believe that our research shows that Fescue 7 mineral can be an effective tool in combating heat stress associated with fescue toxicosis.”

Dr. Patricia Harrelson

Associate Professor of Animal Science at Morehead State University

Gro-Tec • Austin Stevens • Willy Campbell 1-800-535-3354 • (606) 748-9987 • www.gro-tec.com Fly control has never been easier.

“Some years ago, we lost almost an entire calf crop due to the fescue. Needless to say I was looking for answers. One thing I did was attend the Alliance for Grassland Renewal workshop and learned a lot of things, which we have instituted as common practices on our farm and farms we rent. However, I didn’t want to get rid of the Kentucky 31 because I’m a seedstock producer and I felt that if I did away with the Kentucky 31 I could possibly be selling cattle to people that couldn’t handle the hot grass. So I opted to just do a better job of managing the grass that covers most cattle country in my area. The second thing I did was look up a mineral salesman I had talked to a year prior by the name of George Speigelhalder. That conversation changed the landscape of our operation forever. He introduced me to Gro-Tec mineral and a product called Fescue 7. Without going into great detail this stuff is a gamechanger. Not only did it help tremendously with the fescue but it also cut down our pinkeye and foot rot problems. Sent our breed back rates on the high 90% range.”

Jason Schroeder, Schroeder’s Black Herefords Jefferson City, MO

#2 TEAM: HENRY COUNTY FFA

#3 TEAM: PENDLETON COUNTY FFA

#4 TEAM: BECKLEY’S BOSSES

#5 TEAM: ADAIR CO. FFA TEAM A

Adair County FFA Team B Warren East

Apollo

Breckinridge County

Cattle Catchers

Central Hardin

Green County

Triple B

Eden Shale Update

Dan Miller Industry Coordinator, Kentucky Beef Network

May tends to always be the busiest month of the year. It seems that no sooner than the Derby is over then so is the month. But May is busy in a good way, as the growing season is in full swing and the spring calves are running around on fresh pastures. I mentioned last month that our calving season went well. We had 96% of the calves born in 45 days, and the entire calve crop was born in 64 days giving us 98 calves on the ground and doing well. We have about 110 cows to artificially inseminate this spring before being turned out with clean-up bulls.

This past month, our local vet, Dr.

Matt Parker, came to the farm and pelvic measured our replacement heifers and performed breeding soundness exams on all our bulls. We had one heifer fail the pelvic measure (giving us 18 head to breed). All the bulls passed the BSE. The replacement heifers will get AI bred on May 24, and the mature cows get AI bred on May 31.

We sold 35 head of last year’s calves this past month as well. These were heifers that we did not retain as replacements and the smaller end of the steers. The heifers weighed 573 lbs. and brought $2.60. The steers sold in two cuts, one averaging 623

lbs. at $2.95 and 706 lbs. at $2.55. We still have 40 steers at the farm that are taking part in a mineral trial with the USDA this summer and upon completion will be marketed in early August.

We have also started our tours and events for the season. This month, we hosted the UK Beginning Farmer/ Rancher Program, which included morning presentations and a tour of the farm after lunch. We also hosted producers from Casey, Crittenden, Grant and Pendleton counties. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to come visit Eden Shale Farm.

photo by Lindie Huffman

KCA HALL OF FAME AWARD

CLEAN , EVEN CUTTING

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

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

JEROD METZGER • 270-779-6260

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

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

Dr. Henry Allen 859-229-0755

Simmental calves are champions of the scale.

They reliably outperform straightbred calves in the feedyard — with better growth, better structure and fewer health problems.

They add pounds without sacrificing marbling, and they come with the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator,™ which factors genetics, health and management into true value.

Want low-risk, high-potential calves with earning capability?

406-587-4531 • simmental.org

BRET AND LAURA JACKSON 859.533.3718 or 859.707.7200

BRET & LAURA JACKSON Paris, Kentucky (859) 533-3718 (859) 707-7200

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

BURTON & SONS ANGUS

Joe D. or Karen Burton

ANGUS

THE BUSINESS BREED

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

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.

GREAT MEADOWS ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Dale Brown, President 292 Pea Ridge Road Stamping Ground, KY 40439 859-940-8437 www.greatmeadowsangus.com

LYNN CREEK FARMS

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

APS ANGUS

4040 Taylorsville Rd Taylorsville, KY 40071

Gordon Schubert

502-477-2637 • 502-548-8440

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

TRIPLE D ANGUS

Nathaniel & Darla Denham

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

President: Henry B. Smith Vice President: Anne Patton Schubert Secretary/Treasurer: Shayna Gibson

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 500 Rockfield Richpond Road Rockfield, KY 42274 (270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 500 Rockfield Richpond Road Rockfield, KY 42274 (270) 843-9021

President: Henry B. Smith

Vice President: Anne Patton Schubert

Secretary/Treasurer: Shayna Gibson

BURKS CATTLE CO. 531 Rick Rd.

Park City, KY 42160

James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

COFFEY ANGUS FARMS

661 Hopewell Road Liberty, KY 42539

531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 www.burkscattle.com

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288

Dewey Coffey: (606) 706-2699

BURTON & SONS ANGUS

Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

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

HERITAGE FARM

Bulls & females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy. Data driven since 1981.

Tom McGinnis

COFFEY ANGUS FARMS

661 Hopewell Road Liberty, KY 42539

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288

1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell

Dewey Coffey: (606) 706-2699

Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS

DAVIS BEND FARMS

Bob, Kathy, Rob, and Janna Clark (859) 748-5558 1446 Kennedy Bridge Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330

2315 Davis Bend Road Canmer, KY 42722 timmothyljeffries@gmail.com www.davisbendfarms.com

Bob: (859)339-2610 Rob: (859)612-1594 mtmoriahfarms1@gmail.com www.mtmoriahangus.com

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

FALL CREEK ANGUS

SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM

4437 East Hwy 80 Russell Springs, KY 42642

448 Corder Farm Road Monticello, KY 42633 Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588

Henry Bryan, Melissa, Bryanna and Blane Smith 606-271-7520 bmsmith@duo-county.com

HAMILTON ANGUS FARMS

WHITE FARM

Eddie Hamilton 2142 Stilesville Road Science Hill, KY 42553 edjohami@aol.com (606) 271-1286 Bulls and Females for Sale

Tim and Amy White 3664 Military Pike Lexington, KY 40513

FARM

Home: (859)223-0326

Tim: (859) 509-5401

Amy (859)227-2552 whitefarm4@twc.com

Tom McGinnis 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell

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

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

(270) 257-2965

Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com

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

FALL CREEK ANGUS 448 Corder Farm Road Monticello, KY 42633

Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588

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

HILL VIEW FARMS

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

OLD BARK FARM

370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716

TAMME VALLEY FARM

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

jacob.tamme@gmail.com www.tammevalley.com

TRIPLE D ANGUS

Nathaniel & Darla Denham

Nathaniel(Bub), Sarah, (606) 423-2457 • (606) tripledangus.com

TWIN CREEK FARM

370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716

Kenley Conner (502) 905-7825

Kenley Conner (502) 905-7825

Registered Angus Cattle

Registered Angus Cattle

Shawn, Melissa, Devin (270) 337-3072 or (270) Dennis & Emily 270/337-2128 or 270/402-4338

4040 Taylorsville Rd Taylorsville, KY 40071 Gordon Schubert 502-477-2637 • 502-548-8440 Anne Patton Schubert

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

TWIN CREEK FARM

Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson (270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304

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

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Shayna Gibson, Secretary/Treasurer

www.kentuckyangus.org • kyangusassociation@gmail.com • @kyangusassoc • @kyangusassoc • @kyangusassociation

2024 Kentucky Angus Preview Show

June 12-14, 2024 • Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center • Louisville, Kentucky Tentative Schedule

Wednesday, June 12

After 9 am................................................................Barn available; tie in pavilion

Thursday, June 13

10:00 am to 12:00 pm.............................................................Check in All Cattle 3:00pm.............................................................KJAA Board meeting and Social

Friday, June 14

9:00 AM..............................Phenotype/Genotype Show (Judge, Joe Myers, Kentucky)

Following Phenotype/Genotype Show..................Kentucky Preview Junior Show (Judge, Lake Elliott, Tennessee) Immediately after Kentucky Preview Junior Show..............Junior Showmanship

Show Order

1.PGS, 2.Steers, 3.Cow/Calf Pairs, 4.Bred & Owned Bulls, 5.Bred & Owned Heifers, 6.Owned Heifers

JUN 14-16 All- American Angus Breeders’ Futurity Louisville, KY

SEP 28 Boyd

Producers to be paid grid premiums for AngusLinkSM Beef Scores

The American Angus Association®; National Beef Packing Co., LLC; IMI Global; and U.S. Premium Beef, LLC

based on genetic merit data.

For the first time, cattlemen can earn grid premiums based on the genetic merit of their cattle, stemming from their investment in superior genetics. National Beef Packing Co., LLC (NBP) announces the addition of new premiums on their U.S. Premium Beef, LLC (USPB) grid for qualified cattle based on their AngusLinkSM Genetic Merit ScorecardSM (GMS). AngusLinkSM value-added programs are administered by the American Angus Association® in partnership with IMI Global.

Effective for cattle harvested Aug. 5, a grid premium of $5 per head will be paid for cattle with a Beef Score of 100 or greater on the AngusLinkSM GMS. This will be exclusively available for cattle marketed through USPB and delivered to NBP plant locations in Liberal and Dodge City, Kansas.

On Dec. 1, a second grid premium, $10 per head for cattle with a GMS Beef Score of 150 or greater, will take effect. Those scoring 100-149 will continue to receive the $5/head premium. These premiums will be in addition to all other premiums and discounts available based on grading and carcass performance.

“National Beef is pleased to offer U.S. Premium Beef members this grid premium and new program in cooperation with the American Angus Association,” said Chad Barker, vice president of cattle procurement with NBP. “We’re excited to be adding another chapter to our history of creating innovative ways to reward producers for high-quality cattle.”

Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch and chairman of the USPB board of directors said this announcement is revolutionary, and he hopes it will inspire others to feed better beef through supporting advancements in genetics.

“This is revolutionary from the standpoint that there has never been a grid incentive based upon genetic merit,” Gardiner said. “We’re very thankful for National Beef and U.S. Premium Beef recognizing the value of genetics as identified by the AngusLink program.”

Brian Bertelsen, USPB vice president of field

operations said, “For over 26 years, the USPB valuebased grid has rewarded cattle that excel in carcass quality. This new program is an incentive for cattle feeders who market on the USPB grid to seek out and buy feeder cattle that are genetically designed to not only excel in carcass traits, but also growth and efficiency.”

The GMS objectively describes performance potential across four areas using a range from 0 to 200, with the industry average being 100. Beef Score predicts genetic potential for feedlot performance and carcass value and is calculated using the Association database and genetic information on sires and the cow herd.

“This is a significant step for the industry and speaks to the continued evolution of value-based marketing,” said Mark McCully, CEO of the Association. “National Beef understands the importance of genetics and is directly rewarding producers for their investment.”

USPB also said the third-party verification provided by IMI Global was a key factor in the decision to move forward with these plans.

Doug Stanton, senior vice president of sales and business development with IMI Global, said, “This new value-added opportunity rewards commercial cow-calf producers for the superior Angus genetics they have developed over the years in their operations. The Genetic Merit Scorecard values, along with third-party Age and Source verification, provide a complete package of product predictability and traceability to the beef industry and our loyal consumers.”

Cattle will need to qualify with their GMS Beef Score at least two weeks before harvesting. Most cattle currently receive a GMS prior to leaving their ranch of origin.

In addition, USPB is instituting a $1 per head premium, effective May 13, for each low-frequency EID tag that is read and assigned to a carcass ID number within each lot. No minimum number of

tags will be required within a lot.

There is no additional cost associated with the GMS program, aside from IMI Global’s Age and Source verification enrollment, which includes an EID tag. Troy Marshall, director of commercial industry relations with the Association, said the timing of the announcement is beneficial for cow-calf producers. “Not only will previously enrolled cattle be eligible starting the first part of August; but as we enter the summer video sale season, it will also provide an additional incentive and additional buyers for those cattle selling with the GMS,” he said. “Cow-calf producers will have the opportunity to enroll and take advantage of this program with this year’s calf crop. The investment in time and money to enroll in AngusLink is extremely small and the ROI is growing exponentially as the market continues to embrace the scorecard.”

To qualify for the GMS, sires must be predominantly (50% or more) registered Angus and 75% of the bull battery must be registered.

“Obviously, this is a transformative change, but the real impact will be longer term,” Marshall said.

“This is a big step forward in rewarding producers for investing in genetics and will help to facilitate information flow and feedback between the segments of our business.”

Bertelsen also said feeders can lease USPB delivery rights, when available, to market cattle through USPB. Those interested should please call USPB at 866-877-2525 or visit www.uspremiumbeef.com for more information.

For questions about the GMS or AngusVerifiedSM, call 816-383-5100, or contact AngusLinkSM via email at anguslink@angus.org. IMI Global can also be reached to help start an enrollment at 303-8953002, or producers can complete its contact form to get started at www.imiglobal.com/contact.

Written by Sarah Kocher, Angus Communications

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Awards Youth Scholarships

LEXINGTON, KY – The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Youth Scholarship, funded by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation, began in 1991 and has provided $174,000 in scholarship funds to students across Kentucky.

Recipients are chosen based on academic performance, community activities and beef industry essay statements. Five, $1,500 scholarships are awarded each year to one student per each KCA Region with the possibility of two additional at-large scholarships.

The 2024 recipients are:

Emily Frogue from Elkton is a graduate from Todd County Central High School. Emily will attend

Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College and major in agriculture finance/communications.

Emily Shaw from Summer Shade is a graduate from Metcalfe County High School. Emily will attend Western Kentucky University and major in secondary mathematics education.

Liza Simpson from Williamstown is a graduate from Grant County High School. Liza will attend the University of Kentucky and major in animal science on the pre-veterinary track.

Harlee Watson from Flemingsburg is a graduate from Fleming County High School. Harlee will attend Butler Community College and major in agribusiness.

Emily Chunglo from Harrodsburg is a graduate from Mercer County High School. Emily will attend Western Kentucky University and major in agriculture and communications.

Parker Thompson from Scottsville is a graduate from Allen CountyScottsville High School. Parker will attend Western Kentucky University and major in agribusiness.

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation would like to thank all the participants who applied for a scholarship this year and would like to congratulate the 2024 Foundation Scholarship winners.

PREVENT GRAZING LOSS

WITH A FOCUS ON FORAGE

Unwanted species, like horse nettle and blackberry, reduce forage yield and quality grazing options. Don’t let challenging, and potentially toxic, weeds decrease pounds across the scale or create animal health risks in your grazing spaces.

Alligare’s portfolio of residual and non-residual products, like GUNSLINGER AMP, PRESCOTT, CLEARGRAZE, and TRICLOPYR 4, help you control broadleaf weeds and brush and allow quality forage to thrive.

KENTUCKY GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION

AA LAND & CATTLE

KENTUCKY GELBVIEH

Joe Piles, President............................................................................................................................(502) 507-3845

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers

LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC

Johnnie Moore, Vice President...........................................................................................................(270)

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

Cynthiana, KY

Pat Tilghman, Secretary/Treasurer.......................................................................................................(270)

Luke Arthur (859) 298-8323 luke.arthur93@gmail.com

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

106 Clark Houk Road • Greensburg, KY 42743

Larry Clark, Owner & Operator (270) 299-5167 • (270) 405-6848

Lpclarkandsons@msn.com

Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke • 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076 Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 • Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076

Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992

BRAY’S GELBVIEH CATTLE

Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

Niles & Betty K Bray • 1568 Bray Ridge Road Bedford, KY 40006 • (502) 255-3584

CLIFFORD FARMS

3459 KY HWY 1284E

Cynthiana, KY 41031 Since 1937 (859) 234-6956

BRIAN W. DYER, DVM

BEE LICK GELBVIEHS

CD FARMS

Eddie Reynolds

277 Old Bee Lick Rd. Crab Orchard, KY 40419 606-379-2281(H) 606-305-1972(C)

Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road • Brodhead, KY 40409 (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994

Bulls & Females for sale

Owner/Manager

GELBVIEH/BALANCERS

2050 Glasgow Road Burkesville, KY 42717

Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale by Private Treaty

Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia (270) 864-5909

BRIAN W. DYER, DVM

GELBVIEH/BALANCERS

Owner/Manager

2050 Glasgow Road • Burkesville, KY 42717

Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia

MURLEY FARMS

REGISTERED GELBVIEH & BALANCER CATTLE

CD FARMS

Specializing in Red Genetics

Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road Brodhead, KY 40409 (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994

Jonathon & Breanna Murley • (270) 427-7727

PADON FARMS

Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale by Private Treaty

GELBVIEH BULLS & FEMALES FOR SALE 1012 Shelby Road • Salem, KY 24078 Thad Padon (270) 836-5518

PLEASANT MEADOWS FARM

UPCOMING EVENTS

Gary & Pat Tilghman • Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141 270.646.7024 • pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.

Saturday May 15

Kentucky Junior Gelbvieh Show & Learning Clinic

R&D OWEN FARMS

McIntosh Brothers Farm • 3348 Frankfort Road • Georgetown 10AM Learning Clinic • 12:30PM Show

Call William McIntosh for more information. (502) 867-3132

AA LAND & CATTLE

GELBVIEH & BALANCERS PO Box 781 • Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 601-6830 • rdowenfarms.com • sales@rdowenfarms.com

Friday May 28 - May 30

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers Cynthiana, KY Luke Arthur (859) 298-8323

AGJA Eastern Regional Junior Show “Run for the Roses”

LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC

DONE WRIGHT CATTLE FARMS

Burley Fields Livestock Center • 709 Oil Fields Road • Horse Cave

luke.arthur93@gmail.com

Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects

Casey Wright, Owner 2665 Poplar Corner Road • Lebanon, Kentucky 40033 270-692-7496 * donewrightcattle@hotmail.com

Call Carrie Derossett for more information. (270) 404-0828 Entry and room information available at www.gelbvieh.org (Juniors/Regional Shows/AGJA Eastern Regional)

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

S&S GELBVIEH

Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076 Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle 106 Clark Houk Road • Greensburg, KY 42743 Larry Clark, Owner & Operator (270) 299-5167 • (270) 405-6848 Lpclarkandsons@msn.com

BREEDING RED & BLACK POLLED GELBVIEH SINCE 1982

David, Jerri & Jon David: 162 Hastings Ln • Fredonia, KY 42411 (270) 556-4259 Arthur & Joyce Slaughter 19068 Marion Rd • Fredonia, KY 42411 (270)545-3455

FULL CIRCLE FARMS REGISTERED GELBVIEH CATTLE

Brad Burke: 989 Metcalfe Mill Rd, Ewing, KY 41039 (H) 606-267-5609 (C) 606-782-1367 gbb789@windstream.net

CALLING ALL GELBVIEH JUNIORS

Coming soon! Kentucky Junior Gelbvieh Association State Show the Facebook group of Kentucky Junior Gelbvieh Association for upcoming events and information.

Association or to advertise

Kentucky Hereford Association

Kentucky Hereford Association

Toby & Debby Dulworth 2492 S. Kirkman Road LaCenter, KY 42056 (270) 224-2993 dogwood@brtc.net

Toby & Debby Dulworth 2492 S. Kirkman Road LaCenter, KY 42056 (270) 224-2993 dogwood@brtc.net

Herefords that thrive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com

Herefords that thrive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com

6077 Helena Road

6077 Helena Road

Mayslick, KY 41055

Mayslick, KY 41055

Kentucky Hereford State Show

Winchester, KY

June 7 – Showmanship, Bred & Owned Show, Dinner and Auction for KJHA June 8 – Owned Show

For more information contact Austin Cole 270-282-1728

WELLS FARM

WELLS FARM

KHA OFFICERS

KHA OFFICERS

Polled Herefords 439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701

Polled Herefords 439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701

President: Chris Hopper 606-584-7842

President: Chris Hopper 606-584-7842

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

Bobby & Brenda Wells (606) 523-0569 or (606) 344-0417

wells_farm@yahoo.com

Secretary/ Treasurer: Melinda Watson 859-625-8660

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

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

MPH Farms

MPH Farms

Charlie Boyd II 606-584-5194

Charlie Boyd II 606-584-5194

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls

Chambliss

Chambliss

Hereford Farms

Hereford Farms

Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss 1101 Driftwood Lane Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss 1101 Driftwood Lane

Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Home (270) 982-3905

Home (270) 982-3905

Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922

Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922

www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

WCN Polled Herefords Since 1961

WCN Polled Herefords Since 1961

Bill Norris 2220 Celina Road

Bill Norris 2220 Celina Road

Burkesville, KY 42717

Burkesville, KY 42717

Phone (270) 433-7256

Phone (270) 433-7256

Cell (270) 433-1525

Cell (270) 433-1525

“Every calf needs a white face”

“Every calf needs a white face”

Shannon, Kerry, Emily, Will & Ellie Morgan 13095 Scottsville

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

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

Jackson

Jackson

Farms

Farms

Registered Polled Herefords PO Box 215 Cross Plains, TN 37049 615-478-4483

Registered Polled Herefords PO Box 215 Cross Plains, TN 37049 615-478-4483

billymjackson@aol.com

billymjackson@aol.com

“Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

“Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

WOLF FARM

WOLF FARM

Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Females for sale

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

Tim & Peggy Wolf 12939 Peach Grove Road

Alexandria, KY 41001

Home: 859-635-0899

Cell: 859-991-3484

Secretary/ Treasurer: Melinda Watson 859-625-8660 melindawatson8660@gmail.com

melindawatson8660@gmail.com

NJB Limited

NJB Limited

Dale Stith 5239 Old Sardis Pike

Dale Stith 5239 Old Sardis Pike

Mays Lick, KY 41055

HEREFORDS

HEREFORDS

Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road

dalestith@yahoo.com (918) 760-1550

Mays Lick, KY 41055 dalestith@yahoo.com (918) 760-1550

Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355 rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com

Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355 rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS KYLE BUSH

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS

TK4 Herefords

K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM 859-588-4531 198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

KYLE BUSH K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM 859-588-4531 198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

THOMAS FARM

THOMAS FARM

Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln TK4

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

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

Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln

Windy

Tony & Kathy Staples 992 Knotts Road

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

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

PILE STOCK FARM

Eric & Ronnie Thomas 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 623-5734

Eric & Ronnie Thomas 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 623-5734

Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256

Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256

“Cattle for sale at all times”

“Cattle for sale at all times”

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

L. Wayne Beckley • 1420 Fitchburg Rd. Ravenna, KY 40472 • 606-723-3021 Cell: 859-779-0962

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

L.W. Beckley D.V.M 284 Pyrse Lane • Irvine, KY 40336 Cell: 859-779-1419 • Clinic: 606-726-0000 www.beckleyherefords.com

Hills Farm

Windy Hills Farm

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

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

PILE STOCK FARM

Registered Polled Herefords

Registered Polled Herefords

HANSELL PILE, JR. 12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724 270-735-5192

Breeding to produce good cows since 1981

Breeding to produce good cows since 1981

HANSELL PILE, JR. 12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724 270-735-5192 270-862-4462 12 miles West of Elizabethtown

270-862-4462 12 miles West of Elizabethtown

TUCKER STOCK FARMS

Tucker Stock Farms

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

“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

“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”

“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”

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

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

“Bulls always for Sale”

“Bulls always for Sale”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUN-24 Profit Thru Performance Feeder Sale Lexington, KY

JUNE 10-13 BIF Research Symposium and Convention Knoxville, TN

JUN-24 Electric Fence Troubleshooting School Morgantown, KY

JUN-24 KCA Hall of Fame Applications Due 36

JULY 8-14 Lexington Burger Week Lexington, KY

JULY 14-21 Louisville Burger Week Louisville, KY

JULY 19-20 Kentucky National Sale Bowling Green, KY 16

JUL-24 Campbell Co Backroads Farm Tour Campbell County, KY 16

AUG-24 CPH-45 Sale Guthrie, KY 5

AUG-24 CPH-45 Sale Owensboro, KY

AUG. 15-25 Kentucky State Fair Louisville, KY

SEP-24 CPC Fall Field Day Fountain Run, KY

SEPT. 25-26 Intermediate Grazing School Versailles, KY

OCT. 4-6 KJCA Fall Classic Bowling Green, KY

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association’s Past President Andy Bishop and President Jeff Pettit were part of the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Beef Leadership Team. The U.S. delegation traveled to South Korea and Japan in May. During the trip, they learned more about and strengthened relationships with importers, distributors, consumers and representatives in the two countries. South Korea and Japan are the largest importers of U.S. beef.

REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS 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

RED FULLBLOOD LIMOUSIN BLACK PUREBRED LIMOUSIN

For sale year-round at farms • Cows, bulls, heifers and semen • A C H Holdings, Bowling Green, KY • 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

ADVERTISE IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS

$15 FOR FIVE LINES OR GET A BOX THIS SIZE FOR $105

CALL KATIE PRATT (859) 278-0899

MULTI-ISSUE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

JUNE-

DEALS

FROM REDBARN

JOHN DEERE-7000 -6 row planter

JOHN DEERE 5085 E - open station- loader ready JD 567 round baler-string-$19,995 NH 315 - square baler $7500 Class 375wrapper and baler -$34,500 JD 3975 silage chopper ESCH HAY TEDDERS-18-32 ft units Cloverdale 420-500-650 Mixers in STOCK

New Holland 145- double beater spreader

$7500 Bearclaw construction trailer- 16-40’ton New Holland 195- double beater spreader

$18,500 New Holland Bale Wagon- H9870

$142,500 JD 566 round baler- twine only

$9500 John Deere 6300-2wd-Ldr- 16 speed

$35,000 Artex SB 200-800 Spreaders- HS 430 Spreader- $21,500 MEYER F510- mixer in stock $60,000 Vermeer 555 - XL in stocktwine-$10,500 Silage time-10 pull type choppers in stock Silage Blowers- IN STOCK Silage Wagons-16-20 ft 18 IN STOCK-Lancaster Ky Meyer- miller pro- H S- all prices and ranges MEYER- 18 ft- dump carts - 2 super units! Finance options available Call Charlie today 859-608-9745 www.redbarnandassociates.com

Play the Short, Medium and Long Game Strategies to Maximize Returns

Kevin Laurent Extension Specialist, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, UK

The current state of the cattle market is providing unique opportunities for producers to capitalize in a variety of ways by employing a variety of short-, medium- and long-term strategies to maximize returns.

Play the Short Game

Producers play the short game by maximizing pounds prior to marketing. Whether you market off the cow or after weaning, extra weight is extra dollars. So, how do we get extra weight?

You can add pounds by providing implants, dewormer and fly control to nursing calves. Research has shown that implanting nursing calves can result in an additional 10-30 lbs. at weaning. Deworming can add 10-40 lbs., and fly control can add 10-15 lbs. We cannot logically expect all three practices to be completely additive in response, but what if we employed all three strategies and gained a conservative estimate of an additional 30 lbs.? In today’s market, that extra 30 lbs. could be worth and additional $80-100/head depending on the weight class of the calf. All three of these strategies can be done for under $7.50/head. Not a bad return on the time and labor to work the calves in the midsummer.

Play the Medium Game

Producers play the medium game by employing strategies this breeding season to have a tighter calving distribution and older, heavier and more uniform calves for the 2025 marketing season.

Easily, the best method to control the calving season and play the medium game is to use CIDR inserts on late calving cows. CIDRs are T-shaped plastic devices that are coated in the hormone progesterone. CIDRs are inserted in the vagina for 7 days. Removal of the insert results in a rapid fall of plasma progesterone levels, which results in the occurrence of estrus. CIDRs can be used to

advance postpartum estrus in cows nursing calves. An effective strategy is to use CIDRs in late calving cows that are at least 14 days post calving. During the UK IRM Farm program, CIDRs were inserted in 276 mature cows that were 14-21 days after calving on 19 different farms. Approximately 80% of these late calving cows calved 36 days earlier in the subsequent calving season. At 2 lbs. per day, this could be an additional 60 lbs. of weaning weight or an additional $150-180 per calf for an investment of $15-20. The added value of more uniform marketing groups and less singles are also a benefit of tighter calving. UK Professor Les Anderson has an excellent video on proper CIDR insertion that can be found at the following link: HOW TO PLACE A CIDR DEVICE IN A

COW - YouTube, https://tinyurl. com/5e9p48mf.

Play the Long Game

Producers play the long game by investing 2023 and 2024 profits into infrastructure improvements.

Easily, the low hanging fruit in the long game is improving grazing management through stock water development. Improving forage and grazing management are long game type strategies that take several years to fully develop. One of the first steps to implementing controlled grazing strategies is providing water access for grazing cattle. Missouri research has shown that providing water within 800 feet of the grazing animal will result in more even grazing and more uniform nutrient distribution. Water development allows the farm

to be properly divided for rotational grazing strategies during the growing season and strip grazing strategies during the winter months. Water development can be a significant investment, but the long-term benefits to the grazing enterprise can position operations to extend the grazing season, better withstand droughts and survive market downturns. Several cost-share-type programs are available to producers to aid in stock water development. Producers should check with their local NRCS office for assistance with proper system designs and available programs. Another resource for forage and grazing management information is the UK Forage website https://forages.ca.uky. edu/. As always, contact your county agriculture and natural resources extension agent for more resources and educational programs. So, what kind of game do you like to play? Are you simply concerned with “the now” or do you like to build a program that will succeed both now and in the future?

TIMELY TIPS FOR JUNE

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

• Cows should be on good pasture with clover and preferably low endophyte levels in fescue for the spring breeding season. Keep pastures vegetative by clipping or making hay. They should have abundant shade and water. Our goal is to have cows become pregnant before July when temperatures and heat stress can ruin the “spring” breeding season.

• Observe the cows and bulls as the breeding season continues. Watch bulls for injury or lameness and change bulls if a high percentage of cows are returning to heat. Record cow breeding dates to determine next year’s calving dates and keep records of cows and bulls in each breeding group.

• Keep a good pasture mineral mix, which contains adequate levels of phosphorus, vitamin A, selenium and copper, available at all times.

• Consider a special area for creep grazing calves, or practice “forward grazing” this summer, allowing calves to graze fresh pasture ahead of the cows. This can be accomplished by raising an electric wire or building a creep gate

Fall-Calving Herd

• Pregnancy test cows if not done previously.

• Cull cows at weaning time

- Smooth-mouthed cows

- Cows weaning light weight and/or poor-quality calves

- Open cows

- “Problem cows” with bad feet, teats, udders, etc.

• Select replacement heifers on the basis of:

- temperament

- conformation

- weaning weight

- dam and sire records

- Select more than needed to allow for culling after a short breeding season

General

• Finish harvesting excess pasture as hay soon! It should be cut before it becomes too mature. Be sure and replenish your reserves. Try to put up more than you think you will need in case of a late summer drought.

• Pasture should supply adequate energy, protein and vitamins at this time. However, be prepared for drought situations. Don’t overgraze pastures so that recovery time will be faster. Overgrazed pastures will recover very slowly during July/ August.

• Keep pastures small for rotational grazing so that nutritive quality can be maintained. They should be small enough so cattle do not graze longer than a week. As the season progresses, you need several paddocks to give each properly stocked pasture about 4 weeks rest.

• Maintain a clean water supply and check it routinely. Water is extremely important in hot weather.

• Control flies. Consider changing insecticides and/ or methods of control this year, because flies may develop insecticide resistance if you use the same chemical year after year. Consider pour-on and sprays that allow you to put cattle in the corral or through the chute with little stress on them. It will make subsequent trips through the “chute” less stressful.

• Prevent/Control pinkeye

- consider vaccinating - control flies

- clip tall, mature grass

- treat problems quickly

• Clip grazed-over pastures for weed control and so that seed heads do not irritate eyes. Pastures should be kept in a vegetative state for best quality.

DIAMOND J SALERS

Donald Johnson • 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-379-1558

DIAMOND J SALERS

SALERS

WILLIS FARMS

Donald Johnson • 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-305-8747

Danny Willis • 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 • 502-803-5011 drwc21@aol.com • Purebred + Optimizer Breeding bulls & Heifers for sale.

DEL-SU FARM

WILLIS FARMS

Howard & Sue Edwards • 420 Rose Rd • Somerset, KY 42501 606-679-1675 • Jeriah Privett • 606-416-1154

Danny Willis • 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 502-803-5011 • drwc21@aol.com

KNOB LICK FARM - BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE Larry Cox • Tina Cox-Lynch • Amanda Cox Gibson • 1315 Knob Lick Road • Irvine, KY 40336 • 606-723-3077 • 606-975-1716