KCA Virtual Convention a Success

COVID-19 has affected all of us over the past year and it was no exception for the KCA Convention. Cattlemen weren’t able to gather this year, but many of the great programs and information were brought to our members via a virtual conference. There was a great lineup of speakers and hundreds of producers from across the state took part in the virtual event from the comforts of their own homes. The convention was switched to virtual in mid-December and registration opened right before Christmas. A drawing was held for everyone who registered by Friday, January 8. Congratulations to Kate Adams, Lincoln Pyles, and Sam Boone for winning the pre-registration prize of $100. A winner was also drawn at the end of each of the three sessions and the winners were Fred Thomas, Nancy Kloentrup and Amy Cox. A special thanks to all of our sponsors for this year’s convention. The support of each of these companies was important to making the event happen. A complete list of sponsors is on page ??. If you missed the live sessions from convention you can still watch them. All three days of the convention are available via video through the KCA YouTube channel or can be found on our website or social media pages.

BEEF EFFICIENCY CONFERENCE

Over 211 producers attended the 8th Annual Beef Efficiency Conference hosted by Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The topic of this session was “Designing Beef Production Programs for the Consumer”. An impressive list of guest speakers included Shawn Darcy from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association who gave an overview of consumer surveys and perceptions titled “Consumers: What they say they need, and they want”. This was followed up with Dr. Chad Carr from the University of Florida who discussed beef quality and opportunities for selling meat direct from the farm, titled “Challenges and Opportunities with Regional Fed Beef Merchandising”. The final speaker for the evening was Dr. Nevil Speer who discussed past consumer trends and what to expect going forward with his presentation, “Beef Consumers: Looking Back and Looking Ahead”.

FORAGES

The Kentucky Forage and Grasslands Council also held the Annual Forages at KCA Program virtually this year. This year the Program was “Improving Hay Quality in Kentucky”. The meeting was attended by 206 producers and started with a presentation by Dr. Chris Teutsch, UK, on “Hay Quality in Kentucky…A Historical Perspective”. This was followed by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, UK, “You Have Got a Hay Test, Now What”. Dr. Dennis Hancock, USDA Dairy Forage Research Center, discussed “Practical Considerations for Making High Quality Baleage”. The final speaker for the night wasDr.JimmyHenning,UK,whosetopic was “Practical Approaches to Improving Hay Quality in the Commonwealth”. There were lots of questions asked

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BUSINESS MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY

KCA President Steve Dunning opened the Business Meeting that started with two guest speakers including Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, who opened with a discussion on current federal issues in the cattle industry and highlights from NCBA. He was followed by our Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Ryan Quarles who discussed issues in the cattle industry in Kentucky and welcomed attendees. Treasurer Ken Adams gave a treasurer’s report for the Association and Livestock Handling Equipment P.O.Box50758•Provo,Utah84605 Nathan Lawson presented on the 2020 activities for the Kentucky Beef Council. Phone 1-800-453-5318 ...the right choiceThe Kentucky Beef Council awarded the 2020 Beef Backer Award to Louisville Burger Week and Lexington Burger Week. The Kentucky Beef Council is a proud supporter of Burger Weeks and is thankful for the work these restaurants and their employees do to sell more beef. The 2020 KBC Outstanding Service Award was given to the Family and Consumer Science teachers in the state. This past year has been a challenge due to COVID but these people went above and beyond to continue education. The KBC 2020 Advocate of the Year award went to Joe Lowe. Joe is always an active supporter of the beef industry but he went above and beyond in a USA Today article and with his social media in 2020. Dave Maples wrapped up with an annual Since 1938...Powder River has been the leader in the field for Quality report for KCA outlining a year full of activities. Dave also announced KCA Livestock Handling Equipment for Awards for 2020. Sponsored by Farm Working, Confining, Feeding, and Watering Cattle and Horses. Credit Mid-America, the 2020 Heifer Initiative Awards were announced. This award allows students to purchase a heifer from a KCA member in the state of Kentucky in the upcoming year. This year’s winners were Drew Dyehouse, Rockcastle County; Bryanna Smith, Russell County; and Kailey Thompson from Taylor County. Congratulations to these students and best of luck in the coming year! Dave also recognized the 2020 Membership Award winners. Special thanks to all of our counties over the past year! The final award was presented to two Outstanding Service to the Industry Awards, Dr. Robert Stout and Warren Beeler. The KCA Hall of Fame winners were also announced. Winners were:

Region 1 – Sherrell Calhoun

Region 2 – Doug Shepherd

Region 3 – Tim Dietrich

Region 4 – Dan Shearer

Region 5 – Tommy Harold Mink For more information on the winners read the article on page 60. Regional reports were given from meetings held that morning and election of the 2021 KCA officers followed. New officers include Chris Cooper, President; Cary King, President Elect; Andy Bishop, Vice- President; Ken Adams, Secretary/ Treasurer; and Steve Dunning, KCA Past President. There were also three new Regional Vice Presidents voted on during the regional meetings. Results of that vote included Bobby Bell, Region 1; Adam Maulden, Region 2; and Allan Bryant, Region 3. Region 4 and Region 5 were not up for election so Randy Warner, Region 4, and Philip Reese, Region 5 will continue in those positions. Thanks to everyone for attending the 2021 KCA Virtual Convention and we hope to all be back together again in Lexington on January 12-14, 2022.

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