Ryan Quarles: Commissioner's Corner

Ryan Quarles

Commissioner of Agriculture

May is Beef Month in Kentucky! Across the state, more than 38,000 cattle producers are raising nearly 1 million head of beef cattle, allowing Kentucky to maintain its title of the largest beef producer east of the Mississippi River. It’s obvious, beef cattle are important to Kentucky agriculture. Cattle farming is a Kentucky tradition dating back to the 1700s. Today, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) works with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and our beef producers every day in many ways. The KDA’s Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) protects Kentucky animals from disease and controls and eradicates disease outbreaks when they occur. OSV staff can often be seen checking veterinary papers at fairs and livestock shows. The KDA’s Office of Agricultural Marketing helps Kentucky farm families and small food businesses find markets for their products. On March 30, we celebrated the launch of Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef to be sold in Kroger supermarkets in northern Kentucky. The local ground beef product is raised, processed, and packaged in Kentucky, therefore it carries the Kentucky Proud brand. The KDA marketing office administers the popular brand, which helps consumers identify Kentucky food products. The KDA’s Shows and Fairs Division sponsors more than 100 livestock shows a year and works the Kentucky State Fair, the North American International Livestock Exposition, and the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo. While nurturing the next generation of Kentucky farmers, citizens, and leaders, their work also helps Kentucky livestock producers upgrade their herd genetics. May is not only Beef Month, it’s also the start of “grilling season.” Warm spring weather is a good reason to get outside and dust off the grill. Whether cooking with gas or charcoal, grilling is one my favorite ways to enjoy beef, providing maximum flavor and optimal tenderness. I have also honed my cooking skills to produce beef brisket to share with my family, friends, and coworkers. The Kentucky Beef Council (KBC) provides five tips for successful grilling: • Prep pays off: Some grill experts emphasize the importance of bringing steaks to room temperature before grilling, but KBC doesn’t recommend it for food safety reasons. Pull the meat from the fridge, season well, and get started right away. • Fire it up: Make sure your grill is clean to prevent flare-ups and the rack is welloiled to prevent sticking. • Grill, baby, grill: Use an ovenproof or instant-read thermometer to monitor doneness, and let it go. Don’t flip steaks too much; one flip is usually all they need. Take care to avoid charring or

burning, and be ready to turn down the heat or move your meat to a cooler spot on the grill if necessary. • Rest and relax: A step novice cooks often overlook is resting the meat about five minutes before serving. Your meat’s internal temperature will continue to rise for a few minutes after coming off the grill. It’s worth the wait because it prevents all those tasty juices from draining onto your plate. • Finishing touches: If you're slicing a steak before serving, be sure to go across the grain. Beef is an excellent source of protein and supplies 10 essential nutrients including B-vitamins, zinc, and iron that support an active and healthy lifestyle. So throw some Kentucky Proud steaks or burgers on the grill soon, and bon appétit!

OF THE

FIRST ANNUAL FEMALE SALE SATURDAY • MAY 21 • SEAMAN, OHIO

EZAR Blckbird 7461 - 18974097

sire: Basin Payweight 1682 dam: EZAR Blackbird A111 CED +11; BW -1.1; WW +61; YW +116; MILK +35; CW +59; MARB +.76; RE +.39 $M +63; $W +76; $F +117; $G +50; $B +167; $C +280 Selling full Interest in this donor selected by Optum Angus through the 2018 EZ Angus Ranch Inaugural Female Sale. Blckbird 7461 sells due 10/10/22 to LAR Man In Black.

www.optumangus.com

15898 State Route 247 • Seaman, OH 45679 • 937-205-2996 • optumangus@gmail.com Owners: Wes & Claudia Mitchell • Tim & Patty Sandker • Andrew & Courtney Mitchell Operations Manager: Dan DeMeyer 937-779-1271 Herdsman: Ben Wheeler 606-301-1961 • Office Manager: Courtney Mitchell Sale Managed by: Cotton & Associates • www.cotton-associates.com