Cow Country News - September 2022

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FEATURE

A guest on a podcast I was listening to recently made the comment that we are working harder than we ever had as a society. That is why we are always in a rush, eating out of a drive-thru bag and constantly playing catch up. I would argue the opposite. We only feel like we are working harder and that is because we don’t utilize the free time the conveniences of modern society have granted us. When I woke up this morning, I did so in an air-conditioned home that only took me a day’s worth of earnings to keep at a perfect 70 degrees all month. It only takes a few more days of work in a month to make the monthly mortgage payment. In a few more days work, I am able to fill my refrigerator with whatever I think looks good as I walk through a fully stocked grocery store with fresh items from all over the world. I didn’t have to milk a cow for my breakfast this morning. I didn’t have to carry water from a well to take a bath at the end of my work day. I didn’t start a fire in our kitchen fireplace for my wife to spend her entire day cooking meals. We have it easy if we have time manage ment skills and know when to say no to things that don’t serve our long term objectives.

We also have it easy on the farm. Jobs that used to be done by hand under the beating sun for hours at a time, I can do 99% of in the air condition of a skid loader with countless attachments at my disposal. Every aspect of crop production has improved exponentially. What used to be an open cab tractor and eyeballing during planting has become GPS, Wi-Fi and an air ride seat in a quiet cab. My family has always had very good cattle handling facilities for the time, and my father talks about the thousands of calves he castrated from climbing over a gate to get behind a head catch in the corner of the barn. If the For-Most chute isn’t already well lubricated in a dry barn lit with high wattage light bulbs and the fan or heater blowing on me, I think I am roughing it. Even the genetic selection and bull buying has gotten easier. I can evaluate animals from my phone in minutes with easy to read data summaries and a YouTube video. Dad used to spend all day in filing cabinets to even identify the bulls he was interested in. Then he had to spend a full day out in the field for evaluation. This doesn’t even consider the genetic selection tools generated from the years and years of performance testing.

The cattle themselves have improved as well. By performance breeding for traits of economic importance, seedstock producers have greatly improved not only the animal welfare of the nation’s cow herd but reduced the labor requirement per cow-calf unit. With the tools we have at our disposal now, cow-calf production is easier now more than ever. I am near useless if I had to pull a calf because it happens so rarely. If you are pulling much more than an abnormal presentation at this point, you made an error in your bull selection. Very rarely do I turn into a dairyman and have to milk an udder unless cold stress is at play. Generation after generation of selection has narrowed the bell curve in the population of cattle we work with that nearly every single replacement heifer in a year can produce a calf to match the group. Very rarely will we see a cow be much over 7% above average for weaning weight in a 10+ year career. In the United States, we are so efficient that we produce 18% of the world’s beef with only 6% of the cows.

Much like in our day to day lives, we only think it is difficult because of how much we misuse our greatest resource- our time. We have to be efficient and can’t misuse our resources on the farm. Input costs and interest rates are going to continue rising faster than the value of our product. The labor shortage (particularly in the mid-south) is not going to improve any time soon. We have to be efficient with our time. This means continuing to work smarter instead of harder and this starts with our cow herd. As an industry, we have to select for trouble free cattle. This is selecting for cattle that breed, are structur ally sound, and can stick around for 12-15 years. They also need to be docile enough to handle with minimal labor, but also possess a strong enough maternal instinct to ensure that calf gets up quick and makes it to weaning without any intervention. The population of cattle we are working with in Smiths Grove has a significant head start for all these selection criteria. Generation after generation has been selected with low cost production in mind and part of that cost is labor cost. Individual attention to an animal costs you not only your time but money. As input costs rise we are going to have to be more creative when it comes to profitable production practices to meet their nu tritional requirement. The more time the cattle spend taking care of themselves instead of you taking care of them, the more time you can spend making sure all your other decisions are making money. The bulls in our fall sale are the most profitable in the industry from a genetic standpoint and are as docile as you will find anywhere. Come see us this fall and we will help you make sure the profitability of your genetics is something you don’t have to worry about.

Joe K. Lowe II

Contact joe.lowe@icloud.com

PRESIDENT

Cary King

250 Bright Leaf Drive Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 613-3734

PRESIDENT ELECT

Andy Bishop

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

VICE PRESIDENT

Jeff Pettit

5745 US Highway 41 S Seebree, KY 42455 (270) 836-2963

TREASURER

Ken Adams

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

PAST PRESIDENT

Chris Cooper

2140 Tates Creek Road Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 200-7711

KCA PROGRAM CHAIRMAN

Daniel Hayden

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

KBC CHAIRMAN

Joe Lowe

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

KBN CHAIRMAN* Allan Bryant

BEEF SOLUTIONS CHAIRMAN* Jeff Pettit

KCA PAST PRESIDENTS:

1972-73 Jere Caldwell† - Boyle 2002 Jack Kimbrough† - Shelby

1974-77 Smith T. Powell† - Lincoln 2003 Mark Williams - Crittenden

1978-79 Larry Lovell† - Union 2004 Paul Napier - Lincoln

1980-82 John Masters† - Mason 2005 Eddie Young - Washington

1983-85 Seldon Hail† - Laurel 2006 Greg Ritter† - Barren

1986-87 Bob Vickery† - Wayne 2007 Don Pemberton - Christian

1988 Glenn Mackie - Bourbon 2008 Billy Glenn Turpin - Madison

1989 Dale Lovell† - Muhlenberg 2009 Scotty Parsons - Christian

1990 Steve Henshaw† - Union 2010 Corinne Kephart - Shelby

1991 Jerry Fraim - Grayson 2011 Greg Robey - Mercer

1992 Glen Massengale† - Wayne 2012 Mike Bach - Bath

1993 Dell King - Christian 2013 Don Reynolds - Hart

1994 Kenneth Lowe - Warren 2014 Steve Downs - Marion

1995 Dr. J.L.Cole - Monroe 2015 Gary Woodall - Logan

1996 Harvey Mitchell - Mercer 2016 David Lemaster - Clark

1997 Jim Naive† - Spencer 2017 Chuck Crutcher - Hardin

1998 Shelby Hughes - Logan 2018 Bobby Foree - Henry

1999 Hoppy Lovell - Barren 2019 Tim White - Fayette

2000 Charles Miller - Jessamine 2020 Steve Dunning - Christian

2001 Larry Clay - Perry 2021 Chris Cooper - Madison †(Deceased)

REGION 1

Bobby Bell*.................................270-547-8547

Buddy Cook.................................270-275-1274

Ashley Holloway.................................................

Leland Steely...............................270-339-3476

Don Pemberton...........................270-889-3855

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

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

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

Blake Munger..............................270-293-8830

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

REGION 2

Adam Maulden*..........................270-590-1005

Dennis Smith..............................270-590-2840

Trent Jones.................................270-590-5266

Chuck Crutcher...........................270-272-6269

Allison Nissley.............................270-403-3205

Steven Green...............................270-528-1720

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

Mike Bullock................................270-792-9644

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

Kirk Cecil.....................................270-692-7698

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

Rayetta Boone.............................270-230-5488

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

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

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

REGION 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maynard Stetten..........................502-609-4986

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

John Allison................................502-220-3170

Michelle Simon..................................................

REGION 4

Randy Warner*............................859-771-5280

Lisa Baesler................................859-509-5020

Tim White....................................859-509-5401

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

Donovan Pigg..............................502-229-9187

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

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

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

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

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

REGION 5

Staff Accountant

Kelly Tucker

Director of Kentucky Beef Network

Becky Thompson

KBN Industry Coordinator

Dan Miller

Publication Coordinator

Carey Brown

Membership Coordinator

Nikki Whitaker

KBC Director of Product Development

Katelyn Hawkins

KBC Director of Brand Management

Kylie Trail

KBC Director of Education

Bradon Burks

Graphic Designer

Todd Brown

Video Production Specialist

Danny Coy

National Advertising Sales, Livestock Advertising Network

Debby Nichols (859) 321-8770

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

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

Herman Benge.............................606-862-6451

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

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

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

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

Danny Ray Spalding....................859-336-0444

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

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

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

C. Mike Spalding..........................270-699-6587

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

Denotes member of Executive committee

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

officio

Photo by Dan Miller Eden Shale Farm

Presidents Thoughts

Cary King KCA President

It’s amazing how quickly most of our state has changed from dry to plenty of moisture. My grass is looking good, but also the weeds are really thriving. I sprayed for broadleaf hoping to stockpile some fall forage.

It’s calving time for some of us. I hope all of our fall calving friends have a productive crop.

I was glad to be able to attend the summer business meeting of NCBA, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association with Dave Maples in Reno Nevada in August. Over 600 cattlemen met to talk about issues facing all producers. Every time I attend one of these events, I am impressed by how open the discussions are. Any member can bring their concerns or ideas to be heard. Ideas are debated good or bad, and you hear every side of an issue, then a consensus is reached and voted on, that then becomes policy of the organization.

I sometimes hear people criticize a position this association takes. I would encourage anyone with strong feelings about cattle industry stances to attend such meetings and engage in meaningful discussion to help solve the problems we face. You will be among some of the brightest minds in our industry. Be open minded, you will have the opportunity to make your case, and maybe change some policy, or you just might change your mind about some things. I can promise you will meet some very bright new friends.

When we looked at the cattle numbers all across our nation, we see a shrinking cow herd, mostly due to drought conditions in many areas of our higher cattle population states. But even in Kentucky, we see our cow numbers falling, be aware of this. We were also updated by the Meat Export Federation explaining that exports of high-quality American Beef are continuing to grow, with China now surpassing Japan and South Korea as our largest market. It looks like they could easily double their imports.

Contrary to what some say, the small amount of beef we import is mostly low-quality lean that we use to blend with our overabundance of fat to make the huge quantity of ground our nation consumes as burgers. Our own lean is too valuable to grind. So, if we have less cattle, and demand is growing, I would expect prices to increase. That sounds great for the cattlemen in our state, as we seem to have dodged a drought, sounds good right? I hope so, seems like there is always something that comes along and spoils the party.

The next session I sat in on was talking about the need for national animal ID. When you see where foot and mouth and other terrible diseases are spreading around the world, and look at the many ships, trucks, airplanes and other ways those disasters can be transported, it seems like it’s not if but when we get hit again. So, a national vaccine bank and an ID system to quickly trace a bad animal to a small area to safeguard the majority of our animals seems like a must do program. We must take preventive steps now. All talks of this ID system are voluntary, no mandates.

Then we heard about all the good things going on with the check off dollars and it’s paying huge dividends. One of the biggest threats to our industry has been the efforts of the organization known as R-Calf. If you research their leadership, you will quickly find that they are not a friend of animal agriculture, with ties to

groups like PETA and HSUS. Don’t let the good ol’ boys in cowboy hats fool you. They sound good, but they are wolves in calf’s clothing. They had filed suit against the check off, NCBA, and beef council partners to defund us. Those anti animal agriculture groups know how much progress we are making, and they want to cut our funding. In a huge victory for American cattlemen, in June the Supreme Court refused to hear their unfounded case! But that court case cost your organization a lot of money to defend.

So, barring some big bad event, the future is looking bright. Please know that your state board is continuing our efforts to see a new educational center, along with a meat and produce laboratory to be built in a public/ private partnership with the University of Kentucky.

Try to take a few minutes each day to stop and enjoy what God has allowed you to be able to be a part of. The farms of the Bluegrass State are some of the most productive forage producing areas of the nation!

Help us think of ways that we can keep more of our great calves in state, finish them, and package them here, so we can capture more of those high meat case dollars. I don’t see it coming down!

If I can help you with anything, or visit your county meetings, please let me know.

Cary King

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President 859-613-3734 cell • 859-278-0899 office

Saturday, November 19, 2022

12:00 Noon Central Time

Kentucky - Tennessee Livestock Market Guthrie, Kentucky

All heifers qualify for both Kentucky and Tennessee Cost Share Programs

See these heifers at: www.kyheifersale.com

For more information contact:

Kevin Laurent, University of Kentucky (270) 625 0994

Mark Barnett, KY TN Livestock Market (931) 624 7176

Tom Barnett, KY TN Livestock Market (931) 624 7376

All heifers are guaranteed bred to bulls with genomic enhanced EPDs and have met stringent requirements for health, quality and pelvic measurements.

Sponsored by the Univ. of Kentucky and Univ. of Tennessee Cooperative Extension Service

National Farm Safety Week

Ryan Quarles Commissioner of Agriculture

For the past 78 years, the third week of September (Sept. 18-24) has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week.

In 1944, despite a world war raging in Europe and the Pacific Ocean, then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt believed that bringing attention to the hazards and risks of farm work here at home was important enough for him to proclaim the first National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council and its agricultural partner, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, has been proclaimed by every sitting U.S. president since FDR.

Farmers face a number of risks in the course of their work, from machinery accidents, chemical exposure, unruly livestock, grain bin entrapment, severe weather – you name it. Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that agriculture is still the most dangerous occupation in America with an average of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers.

In Kentucky, we have made great strides to

mitigate these risks to make farming safer.

The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center reported that 15 Kentuckians engaged in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting died on the job in 2020, compared with 50 in 1995.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Farm and Home Safety Program provides educational resources and training to ensure the safety of farmers and their families. The farm and home safety team is always in high demand

and appears in more than 100 events to increase safety awareness every year across Kentucky, including the National Farm Machinery Show and Kentucky State Fair. The program's dramatic ATV (all-terrain vehicle) safety mock rescues, featuring a medical helicopter fly-in, demonstrate to high school students the importance of safe choices that can make a difference between life or death.

One thing you can do right now is take a few

Albany Campbellsville East Mt. Sterling Maysville Lexington Richmond South Stanford

KY Certified Hereford Influence Sale

Blue Grass South-Stanford

Thursday, December 1, 2022

10:30 AM

For more information, call the barn at 606 365 0665.

The

Monday

CPH Sales

Richmond

December 6, 2022 5:00 PM

For more information or to schedule your cattle, call the barn at 859 623 1280.

Lexington

December 7, 2022 5:30 PM

For more information or to schedule your cattle, call the barn at 859 255 7701.

minutes to watch a safety video on the KDA website at www.kyagr.com/marketing/farmsafety.html (or scan the QR code above). A series of four videos line the bottom of the page, starring former Miss Kentucky Alex Francke with Farm and Home Safety Program administrator Dale Dobson. The topics are: operator’s manuals, lawn mower safety, tractor roll-over protective structures, and ATV safety.

Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous periods of the year for the agriculture industry. Motorists must be aware that they may encounter slow-moving farm equipment on rural roads, and farmers should avoid moving their tractors and combines on roads during periods of high traffic.

In addition to reminding farmers to keep safety top of mind and reminding drivers to share the road, the KDA embarked last year on a new campaign — “Raising Hope –Supporting Healthy Lives on Kentucky Farms” — that focuses on the mental and physical health of agricultural producers. The intent of the campaign is to reduce stress, depression, and suicide among producers, along with maintaining physical safety while on the job.

One farmer suicide or injury is one too many. So whether you are on the farm, on the road, or in the home, please take that extra step to protect yourself and those around you.

Thoughts From Dave

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

I am going to ramble on a few different topics this month. The first one being a report from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

“U.S.beefexportsremainedonared-hotpaceinJune,topping$1billionforthe fifthtimethisyear(aftertwicereaching$1billionin2021),accordingtodata releasedbyUSDAandcompiledbyUSMEF.Junebeefexportstotaled130,638 metrictons(mt),downslightlyfromtherecordvolumepostedinMaybutup 16%year-over-yearandthefourthlargestonrecord.Exportvaluewas$1.05 billioninJune,alsodownslightlyfromtheMayrecordbut31%abovelastyear. Forthefirsthalfof2022,beefexportsincreased6%fromayearagoto743,904mt, valuedat$6.19billion(up33%).

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WhilebeefexportgrowthhasbeenlargelydrivenbymajorAsianmarketssuch asSouthKorea,China/HongKong,JapanandTaiwan,exportsarealsotrending highertotheASEANregion,theCaribbean,CentralAmerica,Europeandthe MiddleEast.

Thefirst-halfperformanceforU.S.beefexportswasnothingshortofremarkable, especiallyconsideringthegrowingeconomicheadwindsinmanykeymarkets andcontinuedshippingandlogisticalchallenges,”saidUSMEFPresidentand CEODanHalstrom."Thereboundintheglobalfoodservicesectorhasprovided atremendousliftin2022,eventhoughitisstillfarfromafullrecoveryinmany AsianandEuropeandestinations.Wedefinitelyseeopportunitiesforfurther growth,thoughinflationarypressureandthestrongerU.S.dollarcontinuetoraise concernsaboutconsumerspendingpower."(USMEF)

Reports keep coming in on the beef cow slaughter numbers and how many cows are entering the food supply chain. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported during the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Committee meeting that Kentucky is culling around 100,000 cows per year. The numbers have been in the high 90’s the past four years. When we lose that many cows what else do we lose? If the average cow herd is 27 head that is 3700 beef producers. You also lose stockyards, veterinarians, feed stores and other services. I know you have heifer replacements but they aren’t keeping up with the number of cows exiting.

It was saddening to hear the news that The Montgomery Stockyards in Montgomery, Alabama is closing at the end of the month. I got my start in that big stockyard back in the early 80’s. There were two big stockyards in Montgomery at that time and at the end of the month there won’t be a stockyard in Montgomery. Also, I was told yesterday that the Stockyards in Amarillo, Texas will be closing. At the same Farm Bureau meeting, it was reported that some 400,000 plus head of cattle are now selling through buying stations.

The industry has an exceptional export market as well as a strong domestic market for our product but it may be the first time that the prospects of not enough cattle could be an issue. But I have seen it many times before, when the price of cattle goes up, producers will raise more cattle.

On a different note, I saw the press release where it was announced that a $310 million factory to make batteries for electric vehicles is coming to Hopkinsville. Massachusetts-based Ascend Elements, Inc. produces sustainable battery materials from recycled lithium-ion batteries. A 450,000 square foot facility will be constructed in Hopkinsville's Commerce Park II, and it expects to be in operation in 2024.

The reason I have included this is because this recycled battery plant will be located on the same parcel of land that the American Foods Group beef plant was going to locate. American Foods Group has been in the news as well. They are moving forward and announced that they will start construction soon. Kentucky did not get the plant but by being in St. Louis it will bring some opportunity for Kentucky Cattlemen.

One last comment, a big shout out to the KCA family! The membership year finished with 10,920 members, the largest in KCA history.

There have been many changes in the cattle industry over the last several decades. Moving primarily from railroad transportation, to highways, moving from door-to-door calls to cell phones, the way of life as an order buyer in Kentucky has changed drastically in Kentucky. But one man that has been around to witness a large chunk of these changes is Mr. Jewell Cole. Born in 1932, Mr. Cole started out in the business when he was just a boy. The oldest of 4 children, Jewell began working in the stockyards in his home of Maysville, Kentucky at age 12 for Mr. Spencer Crane. He started out driving lambs on Saturday, but within one year Jewell had moved on to taking care of the cattle at the stockyard. However, it didn’t take long for Mr. Crane to see that Jewell had a keen eye for cattle and Jewell kept gaining more responsibility around the yard. Unbeknownst to 12 year old Jewell, this job at the stockyard would lead him to a life-long career in the cattle order buying business.

When Jewell turned 18 and had finished high school he began buying cattle for Warren Rouse from Maysville. Primarily, Jewell covered the sale in Montgomery, Alabama. Back then, Jewell would have to take a train from Kentucky down to Alabama. He would leave Maysville around 7 a.m. on Sunday morning on the train and wouldn’t arrive in Montgomery until roughly 9 or 10 p.m. that night. After riding it every week of the sale season, Jewell could still remember the name of the train down every week was the Hummingbird, however, he would have to take the Capital back on Wednesday. Both were passenger trains thus at that time the cattle would be loaded on straight deck trailers. A straight deck trailer would fit roughly all 50 calves and bring them back to Maysville, Kentucky where they would then be sold in the stockyards here in the Bluegrass state.

Anyone could see that Jewell’s passion was in cattle, however, a higher duty put that passion on hold. At the beginning of the Korean War, Jewell was drafted. In a unit of 50, the first 25 were to pick if they wanted to go to Japan or Alaska. Jewell could see the writing on the wall that there was a high likelihood that those going to Japan would eventually get sent to Korea, thus as the sixth one to pick Jewell was the first man in the class to choose Alaska. Thus, up to the cold Jewell went. It was there that Jewell was stationed at the first weather base off the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean to record weather observations. When Jewell arrived in November it was already dark for the season with no prospect of light until March. Jewell remembered the bitter cold that they dealt with vividly. With an average of 20 to 50 below, Jewell told of his teeth cracking. He had to be flown back to Fairbanks to the nearest dentist to fix the damage the cold had done. However, to this day Jewell will still lend you his weather expertise from his time in the service.

BATH COUNTY NEWS

LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by Tyler Miller

On August the 4th, members of the Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association gathered supplies and headed towards our friends of Eastern Ky. With the grateful sponsorships from Central Ky Federal Savings Bank and Citizens National Bank paired with the Lincoln County Cattleman’s Chapter; we were able to provide over 1,600 meals to our friends in Eastern Ky that had been affected by the devastating flood waters. One thousand hamburgers and just over 600 hotdogs were cooked and delivered throughout a tri-county area.

Community members helped to deliver meals to individuals and families that could not be reached by roads. Lowes of Hazard came to help box meals and then delivered those to our friends in need.

What I remember the most from spending just a day in Eastern Ky is not the damage from the flooding but how humble and kind the people of East Ky are. I didn’t meet a single individual that felt sorry for themselves. Our friends of Eastern Kentucky are strong people and my prayers are with you all.

The Lincoln County Cattleman’s Chapter cooked and served a healthy and delicious meal for the Hustonville Heritage Days on August 5th and 6th. Ribeye steaks and hamburgers were cooked and prepared for the event. Aside from some rain showers, the grill kept smoke in the air and people fed.

Director, Alan Hubble, won a blue ribbon for winning the hay toss.

Bath County Cattlemen cooked burgers for displaced flood victims at Jenny Wiley State Park on August 6.

Submitted by Randy Warner

MASON COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by Annette Walters

Two $500 scholarships were proudly awarded by the Mason County Cattlemen’s Association in 2022. Both recipients were graduating seniors of Mason County High School.

Winners are pictured with Ronnie Lowe, County President. The winners were:

Haley Polley, daughter of Jeremy and Stephanie Polley. Haley has been active and successful in preparing and showing her beef cattle on a local and statewide level. She plans to utilize the knowledge and experience gained while working with her beef herd as she starts on the Pre-Vet track at the University of Kentucky.

Clay Rankin, son of Mr and Mrs Allen Rankin. Clay has lived and worked around cattle all his life. He has grown to appreciate the importance of agriculture to the sustainability of our American culture. He has successfully shown beef cattle throughout his teen years. He plans to begin his education at MCTC while remaining active with his agricultural interests.

SHELBY COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by J. Bruce Blanton

These young folks received $1,500 scholarships from the Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association on 7/19/22 during our quarterly meeting and summer picnic. From left to right is Luke Jeffers (dad accepting award), April Blanton ( Junior Cattlemen Association Member) and Blake Wilson ( sister Kendra accepting). This is another outstanding service that the Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association does for the community. Big thanks to President, Irvin Kupper and the Cattlemen’s Board of Directors..

TWIN LAKES NEWS

Submitted by Steve Peddicord

On July 26 the TLCA held their quarterly meeting before a packed house at the Clinton County Extension office. The program and ribeye steak meal was co-sponsored by Nathan Groce, member, Amonett’s Eagle Auction and Ag1 CO-OP of Livingston, Tennessee.

Alyssa Clements of Ag1 CO-OP was the guest speaker and provided a very informative talk and slide show about nutrient needs in cattle. Her talked focused on the importance of understanding the role of using proper mineral supplementation. In addition Clements gave some recent results of hay testing in the middle Tennessee area. Updated agency reports were given by Danny Hughes of NRCS, Carissa Truman of FSA, and Colby Guffey from UK Extension Service. Steve Peddicord, Program Administrator, followed up

with a report on the Clinton county CAIP program which is being administered by the Twin Lakes Cattle Assn.

In related business matters the membership approved to purchase a 300 gallon pasture sprayer to make available to all landowners in the county. TLCA is accepting donations from local businesses and entities to help finance the sprayer purchase. There are also plans to hold a cooking event in the near future to raise funds and promote beef products.

The next quarterly meeting of TLCA will be the fourth Tuesday in October.

JACKSON COUNTY NEWS

Douglas V Wilson Environmental Scientist, KY Division of Conservation

On Saturday July 23rd the Jackson County Cattleman’s hosted their annual State Cost Share driving field day highlighting completed cost share projects on 6 farms in the county. The project was planned and coordinated through the Cattleman’s County Chairman, Ben Gilbert, the local Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Dave Coffey, and the KY Division of Conservation Environmental Scientist, Douglas V. Wilson. The day highlighted Cost Share projects that promoted farm operator safety, animal waste management, water quality, erosion prevention, and overall animal health and wellness. Wilson described the State Cost Share application process to the group and also gave a site by site analysis of each of the practices implemented on each farm visited.

The tour began on the farm of Pat and Angie Tincher, who had completed construction on two fence-line feeding “cubbies”. Pat described the process for construction and how he had managed feeding his herd with the newly constructed feeding system during the past two winters. He talked about the ease and safety of feeding and how he had saved approximately 20-30 rolls of hay each winter when compared to what he had fed before installing the cubbies. He also talked about the limited mud and decreased damage to his pastures because of the fence-line feeding system. “I did not have any damage to my pastures and did not have to do any pasture renovation and seeding after the last two winters of feeding”, Tincher added. He also told the group that he was approved for the addition of two more cubbies for his other winter feeding site.

Tour stop two was at the farm of David Smith. David had constructed a Bo Renfro Feeding Structure for his cattle operation. Smith told the group that he dreaded feeding his cattle in the mud during the winter (which surrounded his hay rings and gate opening) and that with his primary job hours made it difficult to always feed during the daylight hours. “With my new feeding system, I can now fill the hay rolls in the feeder and have 5 days of hay available to the cows and all I have to do is stop by and

check on them without being in the mud”, Smith said. He went on to say that it made the feeding process quicker, easier, and safer for him and the cattle, and that he saved nearly 100 rolls of hay from being wasted compared to the winter feeding the old way. He also showed the participants the manure that was collected for use on his hay fields.

“The manure has been more valuable this year with the high cost of fertilizer”, Smith concluded.

Stop number three was at the farms of Gary Dale Tillery, Anthony Tillery, and Gary Tillery. The two brothers and father own two separate farms and both had been awarded cost share practices for feeding cattle. Gary Dale built his Bo Renfro structure to aid him in his winter feeding.

“I teach school, referee basketball games, and coach high school soft ball and winter feeding was a muddy mess, in the dark on most evenings, and highly stressful. I dreaded feeding my cattle. This feeding system allows me to load the hay on the weekends, checking the cows is much faster, and I have eliminated the stress of winter feeding. I could not dream that this system was such a game changer”, Gary Dale told the participants.

His brother Anthony and father Gary had also built a Bo Renfro structure for their feeding operation. Anthony echoed the same comments as Gary Dale adding, “This has been better than I dreamed. If you will build this it will make all the difference in your winter feeding”. Their father Gary said, “I was a little skeptical when Doug told me about using the geotextile fabric with number 4 rock covered in coarse lime for my base for the cattle traffic, but man it really works, it is the real deal, and it got rid of my mud. Everybody should build some of these feeding systems if they feed cows in the winter. It is easier, safer, and saves a lot of hay that usually gets wasted”. All three agreed that they would build and use the systems again and that the feeder systems would pay for themselves in hay saved and you could not put a value on the safety and less stress now in feeding the herds.

The fourth stop continued at the Coffey Ridge Farm with Dave Coffey. Dave wanted

to incorporate a rotational grazing plan with his water tank and working facilities. This plan established a water hub around his water tank and included a livestock trail system connected to his working chute and sorting pens. Dave initially was able to divide his pasture into 4 paddocks and have a 15’ wide alley which led to his working facility. “I now rotate pastures by opening and closing a set of gates at the water hub and my wife and I can move cattle easily from the pasture to the working chute safely by ourselves”. He also has incorporated an additional two waterers and has added 4 more paddocks for intensive rotational grazing. Coffey added that there is much less stress on the cattle, as well as, less stress on himself and his family. “With the geotextile fabric and rock base, I can easily move my cattle in any weather condition without mud and damage to my pasture and the intensive rotational grazing has made my pasture even more healthy and productive”.

The final stop ended at the farm of Jason Brumback. Jason utilized geotextile fabric and rock around his hay storage and feeding facility and added two tire water tanks for his pasture and feeding rotational plan. Jason already had a feeding system built in his metal barn structure and had a waterline available on site. He was concerned with the mud and manure buildup and having to utilize on old pond for his water source.

Brumback said “With our new plan of fabric, rock, and water tanks, I will be able to keep mud away from my feed barn and water tanks and have plenty of water for the herd. Having the large tire tanks allows for multiple cattle to easily drink at the same time and keeps boss cows from keeping the younger cattle away and cutting down on their water intake”. He told the attendees about his tank water turning green with algae and someone had told him to use goldfish in the tanks. He showed how he had added 20, 1-2 inch goldfish in each of his tire tanks (even on a county water system) and they had cleared up his algae problem. “I put the first batch of fish in a freshly filled tank and they died, but I waited a couple of days to put the replacement fish in and it worked. Cattle

drink and the water is refilled at a level that the chlorine won’t kill my fish and they keep the water clear”, Brumback concluded. The goal of the annual field day was to highlight some of the livestock practices and cost share opportunities available to producers through the Division of

Conservation’s State Cost Share program, NRCS EQIP funding opportunities, and the local CAIP cost share. Each stop highlighted a different set of practices based on the individual producer’s needs, resources, and production goals, while keeping animal and human safety and stress at a minimum. The day ended with

a cookout at the Brumback farm. The day was very informative and successful with plans to continue this annual event for the county cattleman’s association. For more information of State Cost Share opportunities, please contact your county Conservation District Office personnel.

MARION COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by Rita Spalding

Wilson discussing the fence line feeding system at the Pat and Angie Tincher farm.

Producers viewing the Bo Renfro feeding system at the David Smith farm.

Gary Dale Tillery explained the geotextile fabric, rock & lime foundation for his feeding system.

Brumback demonstrated his tire water tank and the goldfish that keep it clean.

Ann Marie Chesser is the winner of the 2022 Marion County Cattlemen ‘Gene Lanham Memorial Scholarship’. Pictured awarding the scholarship are (L-R) Rita Spalding, Ann Marie Chesser and Peggy Downs.

Record Keeping for a Healthy Herd

Dr. Michelle Arnold UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Keeping written farm records is like participating in a regular exercise program, easy to talk about but often hard to put into practice. Without good records, evaluating individual cow performance and the financial success of the beef cattle enterprise is a “guesstimation” (guess + estimation) at best. Even with handwritten records, taking that data and placing it in a system that allows for analysis is a step that is easily overlooked, forgotten, or set aside for “later”. Computers have made this task easier, especially with the advent of programs designed for cow-calf producers. It is easy to see the value of knowing performance but what about health records? How important are records to maintaining a healthy herd?

Production records are invaluable to allow the beef producer not only to look at what is

currently taking place within the cow herd but, more importantly, to look at how management changes impact the performance of the herd. Through analysis over the long-term, records can help to pinpoint weaknesses in the management program and in identifying individual animals that fail to perform at profitable levels. With health data, it is possible to conduct a herd-specific risk assessment for a certain portion of the production cycle such as “calving season”. This assessment begins with a “risk analysis” which is identifying the “hazards” in your operation that contribute to sickness and death loss. For example, hazards during the calving season may be dystocias (difficult births), scours in baby calves due to rota- or coronavirus, environmental hazards such as predators in the area, and weather-related events

(cold, wet weather). Each of these hazards has an associated “cost” which usually translates to “lost income” and a “likelihood” which is the chance this event will happen. The next step is “risk management” which consists of looking at ways to mitigate or reduce the factors associated with the hazard and what it costs to make these changes. In our calving season example, one way to reduce the hazard caused by scours is to implement a vaccination program to the pregnant cows. The final step involves keeping good records to remember what was done to correct a problem and analyzing the records to see if this action plan was successful. Although it is possible to recognize certain problems without data and roughly estimate their cost to your operation, it is hard to evaluate progress and effectiveness without records.

Fig 1: Examples of USDA official identification for cattle. All USDA Official animal identification number (AIN) tags, as pictured, are imprinted with a 15-digit number starting with 840 (840 is the official US country code), all have an official US ear tag shield, the words “unlawful to remove” and the manufacturer’s logo or trademark. Tags can be visual only (top left example) or may have RFID technology which allows them to be read visually or electronically. RFID tags must have all 15 digits printed on the button tag piece containing the transponder. Producers can purchase 840 tags from an authorized tag manufacturer or an accredited veterinarian who is qualified as a “Tag Manager”.

To implement an effective record keeping system, information must be collected and stored in a standardized fashion to be able to analyze it later. One of the pitfalls to any computerized record keeping system is what is known as a “free text field” where the producer types in a piece of information in a provided space. For example, a calf may develop scours and the producer wants to record the calf ID, the disease, date it began, and any treatments administered. However, “scours” has multiple names and may be typed in as “diarrhea”, “loose stool”, or “enteric disease”. Later, when it is time to search the records for how many calves had “scours”, those calves with diarrhea but with disease names other than “scours” will be missed. Other problems such as misspelled words, too many pieces of information in the same field, and vague information make analysis of free text nearly impossible.

A useful system for evaluating health data will contain much of the same information used for analyzing performance. First and foremost, every cow and every calf must have individual identification (ID) that is readable, permanent and without duplication. Each calf ID must be matched with his or her dam ID. Ear tags are commonly used and ear tags with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology-see Figure 1- are growing in popularity because

information such as weight can be automatically sent to the computer along with the electronic tag number with the use of a “reader”. Other useful information to record includes breed, sire, age of dam, calf’s birth date and sex, birth and weaning weights, weaning date, weight and/ or body condition score of cows at weaning, and “contemporary group code” such as “Spring calves” or “Fall calves”. Health concerns such as disease, date of onset, treatments given, outcome (recovery/death/sold), and veterinary visit or expenses should be recorded in a standardized format. Record any abortions or stillbirths, any difficulties with labor and delivery, and all calf death losses. It is important that all animals born, whether dead or alive, are recorded and taken into consideration when the herd is being analyzed and record that information on the specific cow’s lifetime history. In addition to individual data, producers should record dates of vaccinations and dewormers administered. Vaccine data should include the name of the vaccine, lot and serial number from the bottle, date of expiration, date administered and route of administration (either intramuscular or subcutaneous).

Record keeping systems have evolved to mobile platforms so data can be entered and managed directly from a program on a cell phone. The University of Kentucky now offers a mobile app

known as “X10D” (pronounced “extend”). It has three components: Manage, Connect, Learn. Manage is the record-keeping section that allows users to collect and manage production data. The data can be shared with County Extension Agents and Specialists (when they need access) to provide consultation. The Learn section enables the County Extension Office to push educational content directly to the users in their county. Content can be created by Specialists and/or Agents and a link to the content will appear in users’ notifications each morning. County Offices can also send meeting announcements and notices to all their registered users. The last component is the Connect component. This allows users in a county to interact; ask questions, post items for sale or purchase, etc. Only registered users in one county will be in the Connect group. Visit the website: https://x10d. org/ to get started.

Keeping records is not the most exciting task but one of the most important management practices for your farming operation. The ability to review information to find and correct problems is a powerful tool including when there are health issues in the herd. A risk assessment is only possible with accurate identification of “hazards”, a plan to correct them, and a method to measure the success of the management change.

NCBA BACKS FOOD & ENERGY SECURITY ACT

WASHINGTON (July 26, 2022) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the Food and Energy Security Act introduced by Sen. John Thune, R-SD. The bill would require federal regulators to disclose how proposed rules would impact food and energy prices.

"Earlier this year, the Biden administration proposed a massive climate disclosure rule that will create new reporting burdens for every farm, ranch, and small business in the country. This plan will harm producers and consumers alike,” said NCBA Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “NCBA is proud to support the Food and Energy Security Act because rules like the SEC's emissions disclosure mandate add a costly burden to cattle producers, rural communities, and consumers across the country."

Additionally, the bill would prohibit federal regulators from implementing any rule that would increase food or energy prices if inflation is higher than 4.5%. Since the start of 2022, inflation has consistently been over 7% with the inflation rate hitting 9.1% in June—a four decade high.

Background

In March, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a rule that would require publicly traded companies to disclose their direct (scope 1), energy/ electricity consumption (scope 2), and supply chain emissions (scope 3). By requiring the inclusion of scope 3 emissions, cattle producers who supply beef to publicly traded processors, restaurants, and retailers would be subject to these overreaching financial regulations.

The SEC is a Wall Street regulator, not an environmental or agricultural agency, and their proposed climate rule goes far beyond the agency’s jurisdiction.

NCBA submitted technical comments in opposition to the rule and individual cattle producers sent over 7,400 letters to the SEC commissioners and members of Congress.

The Food and Energy Security Act would prevent the SEC from implementing their broad climate rule, protecting cattle producers from red tape while ensuring that consumers continue to have access to affordable, wholesome proteins like beef.

NCBA LOOKS TO 2023 FARM BILL FOLLOWING SUMMER MEETING

RENO, Nev. (July 27, 2022) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced its priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill based on producer input at the association’s Summer Business Meeting in Reno, Nevada.

“Our annual meetings are the cornerstone of NCBA’s grassroots policy process,” said NCBA President Don Schiefelbein, a Minnesota cattleman. “Individual producers set the course for NCBA’s advocacy work in Washington, D.C., and we have heard from many producers who value the animal health, voluntary conservation and disaster recovery programs in the last Farm Bill and look forward to improving those programs in the next Farm Bill.”

NCBA’s Farm Bill priorities include:

• Protecting animal health through programs that guard against the spread of foreign animal diseases such as the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, which currently houses the Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine. NCBA previously advocated for this vaccine bank in the last Farm Bill and producers recognize the danger that a foreign animal disease poses to the industry and the protection this bank provides.

• Strengthening risk management programs that provide producers with added protection against weather events and price decline.

• Promoting voluntary conservation programs that provide support for producers to implement conservation practices free from government mandates.

• Supporting disaster recovery programs that help producers return to normal operations following adverse weather, attacks by predators, or extreme conditions like drought and wildfire.

Additionally, cattle producers amended and renewed existing policy on the books on issues including cattle health, federal lands, environmental policy, trade, markets, taxes, transportation, food safety, and more.

“Cattle producers have faced yet another challenging year,” said Schiefelbein. “The policies passed at this summer business meeting will help NCBA focus on resolving some of the challenges caused by extreme

conditions and supply chain disruptions, ensuring the continued success of beef farmers and ranchers.”

As a grassroots organization, NCBA is proud of the century-old policy process that grants each member an equal vote in the association’s priorities. For more information on the policy process or to get involved, please visit ncba.org.

NCBA CONDEMNS FLAWED “FOOD COMPASS” STUDY

Study Ignores Scientific Research on Beef Nutrition and Beef’s Role in a Healthy Diet WASHINGTON (August 12, 2022) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) condemned the flawed “Food Compass” study funded, in part, by fake meat promoter Bill Gates.

“The idea that M&M’s, potato chips and cereal are somehow healthier than natural beef ignores scientific evidence and frankly doesn’t measure up to logic. These snack foods are high in sugar, carbohydrates and fats, while beef is a nutrient-rich food that provides essential protein, iron, zinc and numerous B vitamins,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “No one sits down to a plate of candy and chips expecting a healthy meal, but a lean cut of beef accompanied by vegetables or fruits and whole grains is a healthy choice every time. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible, and it confuses consumers at a time when we should be working to meet their nutritional needs, rather than confounding them with agenda-driven faux science.”

NCBA continuously highlights beef’s role in a healthy diet as an authentic source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients. Animal proteins, like beef, are among the most nutrient-dense, complete protein sources available and cattle farmers and ranchers are committed to producing high-quality protein in the most sustainable way possible.

NCBA is a tireless advocate for America’s beef farmers and ranchers and will continue highlighting the nutritional, environmental and economic benefits of real beef.

TheNationalCattlemen’sBeefAssociation(NCBA)hasrepresentedAmerica’scattleproducerssince1898,preservingtheheritageandstrengthoftheindustrythrougheducationand publicpolicy.Asthelargestassociationofcattleproducers,NCBAworkstocreatenewmarketsandincreasedemandforbeef.Effortsaremadepossiblethroughmembershipcontri butions.Tojoin,contactNCBAat1-866-BEEF-USAormembership@beef.org.

Stockpiling After a Long, Hot Summer

Stockpiling tall fescue is one the cheapest and best ways to provide winter grazing for livestock in the Commonwealth. In good years, tall fescue pastures top-dressed with 60-80 lb nitrogen/A in mid-August to early-September can produce 1-2 ton/A hay equivalent. The question in drought years is does this recommendation work? It is important to remember that no pasture will respond to nitrogen until it rains. In addition, pastures that have been overgrazed during the summer months have the least potential for fall growth. Applications of nitrogen for stockpiling should target pastures where the “gates were closed” and overgrazing was prevented!

The next question is when and how much nitrogen to apply. Ideally, nitrogen for stockpiling should be applied in mid-August to early at a rate of 60 to 80 lb/A. In a drought year there are several approaches to stockpiling. The first is to apply nitrogen in mid-August at normal rates and then pray for rain. The second is to delay applications until rain looks like a sure thing. This option requires more planning

since nitrogen needs to be applied prior to the impending rain. As the application date becomes later, decrease the amount of nitrogen since the grass will have less time to grow before frost and cool temperatures set in.

Research conducted in Virginia has shown that not all nitrogen sources are created equal when it comes to stockpiling. Three years of data found that the most effective nitrogen sources for stockpiling in late summer were ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate. Using urea or urea ammonium nitrate (30% solution) resulted in significantly lower yields. If you are using these products, treat them with a urease inhibitor containing the active ingredient NBPT. This ingredient has been tested extensively and proven to prevent volatilization. Organic nitrogen sources such as broiler can be used for stockpiling, but they tend to yield lower because not all the nitrogen is immediately available to the plant at application.

The last option is to stockpile with no nitrogen.

In well managed grazing systems, a strong nitrogen cycle and higher levels of soil organic matter can be developed with good grazing management and by overseeding legumes, making these pastures less responsive to nitrogen applications. I would suggest testing this approach before applying it across large acreages. To accomplish this, apply nitrogen as you would normally, but leave some no nitrogen strips out for comparison. This will give you an indication of the difference that the nitrogen application made in both yield and quality.

In drought years, winterfeed is often tight, so maximizing the utilization of stockpiled grass is essential. Strip grazing stockpiled fescue can increase grazing days by 30 to 40%. Starting at your water source, allocate only enough pasture for 2-3 days of grazing. This is easily accomplished by using a forward temporary electric fence. No back fence is required since plants are dormant. During wet periods feed hay in a sacrifice area to avoid wasting stockpiled grass and damaging pasture sod.

•

not harvest alfalfa after mid-September.

Do NOT overgraze perennial pastures in late summer and fall. Pasture plants accumulate energy reserves in the fall that are used to overwinter and regrow in the spring.

hay

cool season pastures

Rest native warm season pastures

grazing.

This month’s FEATURED UPCOMING EVENT is Kentucky Grazing School at Woodford County Extension Office, Versailles, KY on September 13-14. More information at https://forages.ca.uky.edu/Events

This month’s FEATURED PUBLICATION is Tips for Stockpiling Tall Fescue for Winter Grazing by Chris Teutsch. Ohio Beef New,

by scanning the QR Code.

This

planning

successful winter grazing-Jim Gerrish”

visiting the KYForages YouTube Channel.

Teutsch UK

Forage Center of Excellence, Princeton, Kentucky

More Than a Handshake: Negotiating and Drafting an Effective Hunting Lease for Your Farm or Ranch

Cari B. Rincker, Esq.

A hunting lease is a mutually-beneficial arrangement between a landowner with land to spare and a hunter looking for exclusive and guaranteed access to hunting land. However, a simple handshake and an exchange of cash between parties is not always enough to ensure smooth sailing in a hunting lease agreement. There are numerous variables, and endless opportunities for disagreement, when two or more parties share land in this way. To avoid disputes—or to at least resolve them efficiently—it is best for the parties to set out in writing the boundaries and inner-workings of their lease arrangement. This article discusses to terms you should address and include in your hunting lease agreement.

Put in in Writing

First and foremost, your hunting lease agreement should be in writing. For one obvious reason, what one party promises orally is not easily provable, whereas a written lease documents every detail of the agreement made. The parties, as well as any future arbiter, can easily look back to a written agreement to determine what, exactly, was agreed-upon. One lesser-known consideration is that most states have a “Statute of Frauds,” which is a rule requiring that contracts lasting longer than a year—as many hunting leases do— must be in writing in order to be enforceable.

The Basics

Every contract must contain certain details in order for it to be enforceable. For a hunting lease, this includes the names and addresses of the parties involved, a description of the land subject to lease, the duration of the lease, and the amount of rent to be paid.

A hunting lease agreement should always identify both the landowner, known in legal terms as the “lessor,” and the hunter, known as the “lessee.” The land subject to the lease should be described in as much detail as possible, including both common and legal descriptions of the land. One way to avoid confusion is to attach a map of the leased area as an addendum to the lease. This map can depict the roads and points of entry that the lessee is permitted to use, as well as areas where the lessee may clean animal carcasses or dispose of refuse.

A hunting lease should clearly define the durational term of the lease, whether it be monthly, annual, or otherwise. It should also specify whether the agreement automatically renews at the end of each lease term, or whether the parties must proactively agree to renew the lease in advance. The lease should detail how much cash rent is due, at what interval, and by what form of payment. The landowner may consider asking for a security deposit up front, which may be used to cover any expenses in repairing damages caused during the lease.

Additional Considerations

The most effective way to avoid disputes is to make the hunting lease agreement as detailed as possible with respect to which activities are or are not permissible for each party. In addition to the basics, you may consider including the following in your lease:

• The species of animals that may be hunted;

• The number of each species that may be hunted;

• The types of weapons that the lessee may use;

•

Whether the lessee may bring guests, and the number of guests permitted;

• Whether the lessee may construct improvements (e.g., hunting blinds, tree stands);

• Whether the lessee may use hunting dogs;

• Whether the lessee may use any facilities on the leased land (e.g., sheds, bunks);

• What kind of vehicles the lessee may bring, and where those vehicles may be driven;

• Whether the lessee can transfer the lease to another party without permission;

• Potential damages owed if either party violates the terms of the agreement;

• What happens if there is a natural disaster that makes the land unsuitable for hunting;

• What happens if the landowner wants to sell the land; and

• When and how either party can end the lease agreement.

Preparing for Disputes

While the primary goal of a hunting lease agreement it to avoid any disputes between the parties, a secondary goal is to roadmap what should happen in the event that a dispute nevertheless arises. To that end, a hunting lease should include the parties’ wishes regarding the means to resolve any potential disputes. This includes whether the parties plan to use alternative dispute resolution (e.g., mediation or arbitration), which court will have jurisdiction over any legal proceedings, which state’s laws will apply when interpreting the agreement, and whether parties will be allowed to recover any reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in a dispute.

Tips for the Landowner

If you are the landowner, there are a few things you should keep in mind before signing a hunting lease agreement. First, make sure that the lease agreement preserves your right to use the land in any way that you intend to during the course of the lease term. For example, the lease should specify if and when you are allowed to enter the leased area, for what purposes, and with what kind of notice to the lessee. Furthermore, if you have already leased out your land to another party for another use (e.g., agricultural, mining, or drilling), or if you have plans to do so in the future, the lease should specify this as well.

As the landowner, you should also consider how to (1) prevent injury or damage caused by the lessee’s activities on your land, and (2) protect yourself from liability in the event that any such injury or damage occurs. One way to minimalize injury or damage is to include provisions in your lease agreement ensuring that the lessee is properly licensed to use firearms and to hunt, that the lessee follows appropriate firearm safety, that the lessee does not engage in hazardous activities such as drinking while hunting, and that the lessee follows all applicable state and federal laws. The hunting lease agreement should contain a provision informing the lessee that he or she assumes the risks of hunting and is responsible for any harm resulting therefrom. The agreement can also require that the lessee purchase insurance to cover the costs of any injury or damage, and it can provide that the lessee will indemnify—i.e., pay back—the landowner for any costs resulting from injury or damage caused by lessee’s activities on the land.

Keep in mind that a hunting lessee may be spending more time on your land than you do. To that end, it may be in your interest for the lease to include certain responsibilities for the lessee in the supervision of your land. For example, a hunting lease agreement can contain provisions holding the lessee responsible for reporting or preventing certain hazards, such as wildfires or the presence of trespassers.

Tips for the Hunter

If you plan to lease someone else’s land, it is important that you inspect the area in advance of signing an agreement to make sure that the leased area meets your expectations and is suitable for your hunting needs. Read the lease closely and make note of the ways in which the lessor may continue to use the land during the course of the hunting lease. Finally, use caution in bringing guests with you to hunt on the leased land, as you may be liable for any damage or injury that your guests cause.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a landowner planning to lease your property for hunting purposes, or a hunter hoping to lease land, it is important to understand that lease agreements are binding contracts with significant consequences. Given the variables at stake, hunting leases should be carefully tailored for the unique needs of each party involved. It is advisable for either party to hire an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction to help craft or review a suitable hunting lease agreement. At a minimum, consider reviewing this article with your counterparty to ensure that your hunting lease agreement will address all salient subjects and avoid future costly disputes.

Kentucky Corn and Soybean Yields Are Forecast Lower

Corn production in Kentucky is forecast at 204 million bushels, down 26% from 2021. Based on conditions as of August 1, yield is estimated at 147 bushels per acre, down 45 bushels from last year. Acres for harvest as grain were estimated at 1.39 million acres, down 50,000 acres from 2021. The U.S. corn production is forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, down 5% from 2021. Yields are expected to average 175.4 bushels per acre, down 1.6 bushels from 2021. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 81.8 million acres, down 4% from 2021.

Soybean production for Kentucky is forecast at 110 million bushels, an increase of 7% from 2021. Yield is estimated at 54.0 bushels per acre, down 2.0 bushels from a year ago. Acreage for harvest is estimated at 2.04 million acres, up 200,000 acres from the previous year. U.S. soybean production is forecast at 4.53 billion bushels, up 2% from last

year. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 51.9 bushels per acre, up 0.5 bushels from last year. Area for harvest is forecast at 87.2 million acres, up 1% from 2021.

Kentucky farmers expect to harvest 32.8 million bushels of winter wheat during 2022. The expected crop for 2022 would be up 8% from the previous year. Growers expect a yield of 82.0 bushels per acre, down 5.0 bushel from 2021.

Farmers expect to harvest 400,000 acres for grain. Winter wheat production for the Nation is forecast at 1.20 billion bushels, down 6% from 2021. The United States yield is forecast at 47.9 bushels per acre, down 0.1 bushels from last month and down 2.3 bushels from last year. The expected area to be harvested for grain or seed totals 25.0 million acres, down 2% from last year.

Kentucky burley tobacco production is forecast at 61.2 million pounds, down 15% from 2021. Yield

is projected at 1,800 pounds per acre, down 250 pounds from the 2021 crop. Harvested acreage is estimated at 34,000 acres, down 1,000 acres from last year's crop. For the burley producing states production is forecast at 69.8 million pounds, down 17% from last year. Burley growers plan to harvest 38,900 acres, down 5% from 2021. Yields were expected to average 1,794 pounds per acre, down 261 pounds from last year.

Production of Kentucky dark fire-cured tobacco is forecast at 31.7 million pounds, up 9% from the previous year. Dark air-cured tobacco production is forecast at 14.6 million pounds, down 9% from last year.

Kentucky Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 300,000 tons, 9% below the 2021 level. Other hay production is estimated at 4.33 million tons, down 17% from last year.

CROP PRODUCTION SUMMARY, August 1 KENTUCKY AND UNITED STATES

Crops

Area Planted 1 Area Harvested Yield Per Acre Production 2021 2022 2021 2022 2 2021 2022 2021 2022 Jul 1 1 Aug 1 2

KENTUCKY (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (bushels) (bushels) (bushels) (1,000 bushels) (1,000 bushels)

Corn 3 Soybeans 3 1,550 1,850 1,500 2,050 1,440 1,840 1,390 2,040 192.0 56.0 147.0 54.0 276,480 103,040 204,330 110,160 (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (tons) (tons) (tons) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

Hay: All Alfalfa Other, All

Tobacco:

All Burley Dark Fire Cured Dark Air Cured

2,120 100 2,020

49,800 35,000 8,700 6,100

2,070 100 1,970

50,000 34,000 9,900 6,100

2.63 3.30 2.60

2,351 2,050 3,350 2,650

2.24 3.00 2.20

2,150 1,800 3,200 2,400

5,582 330 5,252

4,634 300 4,334 (acres) (acres) (acres) (acres) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (1,000 pounds) (1,000 pounds)

117,060 71,750 29,145 16,165

107,520 61,200 31,680 14,640

UNITED STATES (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (bushels) (bushels) (bushels) (1,000 bushels) (1,000 bushels)

Corn 3 Soybeans 3 93,357 87,195 89,821 88,025 85,388 86,332 81,840 87,211 177.0 51.4 175.4 51.9 15,115,170 4,435,232 14,358,679 4,530,561 (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (tons) (tons) (tons) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

Hay: All Alfalfa Other, All

Tobacco:

All Burley

Dark Fire Cured

Dark Air Cured

50,736 15,246 35,490

218,930 41,010 14,870 10,100

51,507 15,465 36,042

220,730 38,900 16,430 10,500

2.37 3.23 2.00

2,183 2,055 3,235 2,492

Forecasted.

2.27 3.17 1.88

2,058 1,794 3,034 2,274

Area harvested represents

120,196 49,245 70,951

116,759 49,100 67,659 (acres) (acres) (acres) (acres) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (1,000 pounds) (1,000 pounds)

477,973 84,256 48,102 25,165

454,169 69,800 49,849 23,880

RUMINATE ON THIS !

Brittany Harlow USDA-ARS

How do you define a cattleman? When you talk to people that raise cattle you may hear them refer to several different titles: “rancher,” “cattle farmer,” “cattle producer,” “herdsman,” etc. My personal favorite is “grass farmer.” Why, do you ask? The way I see it is the most successful cattlemen, especially in the great state of Kentucky, are first and foremost masters at grass farming. Grass farmers focus their efforts on pasture management, establishing effective grazing systems, and selecting livestock to best harvest their pastures. This allows for the most efficient and profitable conversion of nutrients from forages into milk and meat. Fortunately, there are many opportunities to learn about best grass farming practices here in Kentucky like the forage sessions at the annual KCA Convention, the Fall Grazing Conference hosted by the Kentucky Forage and Grassland’s Council, and regular programming offered by the top-notch forage extension group at University of Kentucky, including the Master Grazer program.

When we talk about grazing cattle we spend most of our time as producers thinking about strategies for improving the management of our cattle to better manage our forage base or vice versa. What I would propose is that we are missing a critical target for best management and that is the rumen microbial community. Even though we can’t see them, there are hundreds of trillions of microorganisms in a single rumen that are not only essential to cattle health and performance, but also to the productivity of pastures and the environment. When your cattle are grazing, they are actually feeding their rumen microbial community. Rumen microbes work together to break down the forage or feed the animal is eating and turn it into energy and protein. In grazing cattle, the rumen microbial community alone can generate as much as 70% of energy requirements and 85% of protein requirements. To optimize cattle performance there is a critical balance that must be maintained between the pasture, the microbes, and the animal. Keeping the rumen microbes happy can keep your cattle healthy and productive in the herd.

My name is Brittany Harlow and I am an Animal Scientist and Rumen Microbiologist working with the USDA-

Agricultural Research Service. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the primary research arm of the USDA. Our job is to identify scientific solutions to national and global agricultural challenges that impact American’s every day from field to table. ARS consists of 90+ research locations throughout the United States and overseas, two of which are in the state of Kentucky. Our USDA-ARS research team is the Forage-Animal Production Research Unit (FAPRU) and we are located on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, KY. The FAPRU team includes scientists that are experts in forages, microbes, grazing systems, and livestock with research that might occur in a laboratory, the field, at a producer’s farm, or even at KBN’s own Eden Shale Farm. We work together, with our University of Kentucky and stakeholder partners, to identify and develop strategies to improve productivity, profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability of forage-animal enterprises (National Program (NP) 101 – Food Animal Production, and NP 215 – Grass, Forage and Rangeland Agroecosystems). My field research team focuses on the interaction between the pasture, the grazing animal, and the rumen microbes. Specifically, we investigate grazing management strategies and technologies that might enhance the health and productivity of cattle, the pastures they are consuming, and the environment.

Many of you already know my predecessor and mentor Dr. Glen Aiken, a nationally renowned Agronomist and Animal Scientist who retired several years ago from FAPRU. Glen was a strong supporter of KCA and KBN’s Eden Shale Farm, served as a trusted advisor to Kentucky cattle producers, and was a regular contributor to Cow Country News. After a few year hiatus, I think it is important that we reconnect with Kentucky cattle producers. This series entitled, “Ruminate on This!” will include updates on FAPRU research, ongoing grazing research in our field program, and articles covering topics related to grazing management, optimizing rumen function, cattle performance, and health. I look forward to sharing our research and some expected and unexpected observations that we have made doing hours and hours of grazing cattle research.

CATERING IS AVAILABLE

THE YARDS is an education center focusing on the science and practices of the beef industry. Educational opportunities provide a unique learning experience based on its location in the Blue Grass Regional Stockyards Marketplace. This environment fosters complex thinking, experiential learning, and life skill application.

BBURKS@KYCATTLE.ORG (859) 382-4303

I WILL BE ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING SALES.

September 10: CKAA LADIES DAY 2022

CKAA Sales Pavilion, Danville, KY

See ad on page 10

September 24: BOYD BEEF CATTLE, Mayslick, KY

October 21: MYERS & TAMME PRODUCTION SALE

Myers Angus Farm, Harrodsburg, KY

October 22: BEST OF THE BLUEGRASS SALE, LYNN CREEK & GUESTS

Solid Rock Angus, Winchester, KY

October 23: HERITAGE FARM PRODUCTION SALE

Heritage Farm, Shelbyville, KY

Tim Dievert

478 Dry Fork Rd. • Danville, KY 40422 859/238-3195

tdievert@dievertsales.com www.dievertsales.com

ALL AGES WELCOME

SCHEDULE A GROUP VISIT AND CHOOSE YOUR LESSON PLAN

VISIT

First-Half Beef Exports on $1 Billion/Month Pace; Pork Exports Below Last Year

U.S. beef exports remained on a red-hot pace in June, topping $1 billion for the fifth time this year (after twice reaching $1 billion in 2021), according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Exports of U.S. pork remained below last year’s large totals in June, while lamb exports continued to trend higher.

Broad-based growth fuels torrid first-half pace for beef export volume and value

June beef exports totaled 130,638 metric tons (mt), down slightly from the record volume posted in May but up 16% year-over-year and the fourth largest on record. Export value was $1.05 billion in June, also down slightly from the May record but 31% above last year. For the first half of 2022, beef exports increased 6% from a year ago to 743,904 mt, valued at $6.19 billion (up 33%).

While beef export growth has been largely driven by major Asian markets such as South Korea, China/Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, exports are also trending higher to the ASEAN region, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe and the Middle East.

"The first-half performance for U.S. beef exports was nothing short of remarkable, especially considering the growing economic headwinds in many key markets and continued shipping and logistical challenges,” said USMEF President and

CEO Dan Halstrom. "The rebound in the global foodservice sector has provided a tremendous lift in 2022, even though it is still far from a full recovery in many Asian and European destinations.

We definitely see opportunities for further growth, though inflationary pressure and the stronger U.S. dollar continue to raise concerns about consumer spending power."

Pork exports lower overall, but surging to Mexico, Colombia and DR

Pork exports reached 219,131 mt in June, down 8% from a year ago, valued at $649.9 million (down 7%). First-half exports were 18% below last year at 1.29 million mt, valued at $3.62 billion (down 16%).

Exports to leading market Mexico are well ahead of last year’s record pace, and first-half shipments were also record-large to the Dominican Republic.

Exports are on a record value pace for Colombia and export value is also trending higher to South Korea. While pork shipments to China/Hong Kong are down significantly from a year ago, variety meat exports have regained some momentum.

"The decline in first-half pork exports was not unexpected, given the recovery in China’s domestic production and its reduced need for imports,” Halstrom said. "The good news is China’s hog price is up about 40% since mid-June and we are seeing some rebound in China’s demand for pork

variety meat. Meanwhile pork shipments to Mexico remain on a record-shattering pace and demand has also strengthened in recent months in markets such as Korea, Colombia and the Caribbean. In these key destinations, the gains U.S. pork has made in the processing and retail sectors are being complemented by stronger sales in foodservice."

Outstanding first half for U.S. lamb exports

June exports of U.S. lamb increased 56% from a year ago to 1,688 mt, while export value soared 84% to just under $3 million. First-half exports increased 48% from a year ago to 10,056 mt, while value jumped 70% to $15.4 million. Muscle cut exports increased 83% in volume (1,121 mt) and 86% in value ($6.8 million).

First-half exports to the Caribbean increased 95% in volume (545 mt) and 109% in value ($4.1 million).

Demand for both muscle cuts and variety meat increased in leading market Mexico, with total exports reaching 9,154 mt (up 45% from a year ago) valued at $9.6 million (up 61%).

A detailed summary of January-June red meat export results, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.

For questions, please email Joe Schuele or call 303547-0030.

Kentucky Grazing School Registration Open

Jordan Strickler University of Kentucky

As the fall grazing season gets underway, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, in partnership with the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, will host the Kentucky Grazing School Sept. 13-14 in Woodford County.

The curriculum is a mix of classroom lectures, on-site demonstrations and hands-on exercises to help livestock producers maximize forages. UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment livestock, forage, engineering and economics specialists will join county extension agents, industry representatives and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff to lead the school. Each day begins at 7:30 a.m. EDT and ends at 5 p.m. The day starts at the Woodford County Extension office, with hands-on activities at UK’s nearby C. Oran Little Research Center and on a local producer’s farm.

“The grazing school allows producers to understand the whys and hows of improved grazing systems,” said Jimmy Henning, UK plant and soil sciences specialist. “They will get hands-on experience laying out paddocks and working with electric fences and temporary water sources. Our goal is for participants to be able to put these skills to use as soon as they get home.”

During the first day’s field exercise, participants will break into small groups with an assigned set of calves and calculate the amount of forage their calves need for a 24-hour period. At the research farm, participants will estimate the available forage in the pasture and set up a paddock using temporary fencing and water that provides enough forage for 24 hours.

Cattle will graze the paddocks, and near the end of day two, participants will observe and report observations to the class. Participants will also work in small groups to design a grazing system for a local producer’s farm and share their ideas with the group.

Participation is limited to 45 people. The cost to attend is $60 per person and includes all educational materials, grazing manuals, breaks and lunch both days. The registration deadline is Sept. 6.

Individuals may register for the fall grazing school online at https:// bit.ly/3PgqI4c. This link can be accessed by scanning the QR code above. You may also register by mail to Krista Lea, N222 Ag Science North, 1100 S. Limestone, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.

Program sponsors include the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, Kentucky Master Grazer Educational Program, Kentucky Beef Network and the UK Cooperative Extension Service.

Resource List for Disaster Relief Available to Farm Families on KDA Website

JULY FLOODS CREATE NEED ACROSS EASTERN KENTUCKY

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has created a resource page on its website for those affected by July’s flooding in Eastern Kentucky, Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles announced today.

“Our neighbors, families, and friends in Eastern Kentucky have a long road ahead of them as they begin to clean up from the devastating floods. Recovery is going to take time for many in this area,” Commissioner Quarles said. “I’ve witnessed incredible feats of humanity and strength these past few days, not only in those on the ground helping, but also those donating with much needed supplies and money. As the flood waters start to recede and the loss of life, homes, and property becomes clear, we, at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, are committed to being a resource for farm families across the state.”

The resource page, at kyagr.com/disasters/easternky-flood, profiles a list of ways ag producers can find the help they need while they work to recover

what was lost.

The page features:

• Disaster Assistance Programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency

• An overview of federal assistance programs

• A tip sheet for ag producers for assessing damage

• Information from the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office on livestock disposal

• Mental health resources

In addition, the page also has links on how individuals not affected by the flooding can help out their fellow Kentuckians, including donating in both physical and monetary forms.

Ways to help KDA and the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation joined together to launch the KFB for Kentucky Relief Fund, managed by the Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation. Funds collected will

be administered to aid flooding victims as recovery efforts get underway. The donations will be used to support the families and communities in the affected areas.

To make a tax-deductible donation to this relief fund online, please visit www.kyfb.com/ KFBforKYRelief, or checks may be mailed to:

Drew Graham, Executive Vice President Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation 9201 Bunsen Parkway Louisville, KY 40220

Checks should be made payable to “Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation” and denoted “KFB for Kentucky Relief Fund” on the memo line.

Donations can be brought or mailed to: Kentucky Department of Agriculture 105 Corporate Drive, Suite A Frankfort, KY, 40601

For questions about the KDA’s donation site, please call the KDA office at (502) 573-0282.

Hay Production Cost Increases in 2022 and Management Implications

Greg Halich Associate Extension Professor

Costs for hay production have skyrocketed in 2022. Fertilizer is driving the bulk of the overall increase, followed by fuel, and then general cost increases for other categories (what could be considered “general inflation”). While we can debate the exact causes of all these increases (i.e. “Policy Blunder” or “Putin’s War”), we have a serious situation that needs to be understood and dealt with.

See Table 1 for changes in fertilizer prices between 2021 and 2022. Assuming we are using 60 units of N, 30 units of P, and 100 units K per acre, our total fertilizer cost bill would have gone from $67 to $150/acre, or an increase of $73/acre. This is about a $24/ton increase at 3 tons/acre hay production.

I will be the first to acknowledge that not all of this fertilizer cost increase will be fully realized as most farmers are cutting way back on fertilizer applications this year. That of course will mean lower yields on average, but the “true” cost will be somewhat less than the $24/ton shown in Table 1. Using very rough calculations, I would put that figure somewhere between $15-20/ton effective increase for fertilizer cost.

Note that it is actually possible that some farmers' fertilizer costs went down in 2022. This could have occurred if they are typically reliant on commercial fertilizer but applied very low levels in 2022. However, if fertilizer is actually a benefit to them in most years then either their yields will have gone down in 2022 or they are mining their P and K nutrient bank, which will have to be replenished in future years.

Fuel costs have also increased dramatically. During the spring of 2021 on-farm diesel was in the $2.10-2.25/gallon range. In 2022 it increased dramatically to $4.70/gallon in May and peaked over $5/gallon in late June and early July. Currently, in late July it has fallen back down below $5/gallon. Assuming 5 gallons of diesel fuel per acre over two cuttings and moving the hay to storage, with an average price increase of $2.75/gallon would result in an overall fuel cost increase of $13.75 per acre, or roughly $4.50/ton. If we assume all other costs (supplies, repairs, equipment depreciation/interest, rent, labor, etc.) increased at roughly the general inflation rate of 9%, that would give us an additional cost increase

of $3.50/ton.

Thus our total cost increase for making hay between 2021 and 2022 would be in the range of $23-28/ton. For a 5’x5’ bale this would be roughly $12-15 per bale. For a 4’x5’ bale this would be roughly $9-11 per bale. So far this year, I have not seen anything close to this level of increase in hay prices in Kentucky. However, unless 1) these costs come down substantially over the next 1-2 years, or 2) hay producers learn how to get good yields without commercial fertilizer, hay prices will have to increase.

Management Implications

Fertilizer cost increases are over twice all the other increases combined. While the record diesel fuel prices in 2022 are getting a lot of the headline news, the overall cost increase levels are nowhere near those of fertilizer prices on a per acre basis as was previously discussed. Moreover, there is only so much you can do to reduce your fuel costs if you are going to continue to make hay unless you are willing to trade in your 80 HP airconditioned cab tractor for original horsepower that runs on solar energy (i.e. pasture, hay, and grain). Aside note: one of the most efficient hay operations I have ever seen was primarily horsepowered, with both a square and round baler powered by a satellite engine. It was amazing how much hay they put up each year and I suspect embarrassed quite a few conventional hay producers in the area.

On the other hand, there are a number of practical options for hay producers and cattle farmers to reduce their dependence on commercial fertilizer. Nitrogen, in particular, can be replaced by learning how to manage legumes in mixed grass stands or even as pure specialty stands. A half-century ago, annual lespedeza was the forage of choice for dairy production in many

parts of Kentucky. Dorris Bruce who now has beef cattle west of Lawrenceburg said they planted pure stands for their dairy in Muhlenberg County where he grew up, and that cut in the proper stage would produce more milk than any other forage they could grow. It is also my personal favorite forage for finishing beef cattle on. There are other biological and hay feeding techniques that can be used to reduce or eliminate the need for commercial fertilizer, P and K included. Check out a previous article, "Reducing Your Dependency on Commercial Fertilizers Strategies for Cattle Farm in 2022 and Beyond."

Another option to reduce dependency on commercial fertilizer is to position your farm so it is less reliant on hay. Cow-calf farms that have on average been feeding 130-150 days of hay per year will need to either radically change management or cull their herd so that they can get down to the 60-90 days hay feeding range if they want to have a chance to be profitable. This level of hay feeding is the most profitable level given a realistic range of foreseeable hay price and calf price scenarios. For details of this analysis see the article in Hay and Forage Grower, "Find the Hay-Feeding Days Sweet Spot."

Unless fertilizer prices decrease quickly and dramatically over the next 1-2 years, we will be in a new era for hay production costs. Those farmers that don’t quickly adapt to this change in cost structure are going to have a hard time surviving. Those farmers that have already learned, or are willing to learn, to use legumes and other biological techniques for the bulk of their fertility needs will gain a substantial competitive advantage. Collectively cattle farmers have been way too dependent on commercial fertilizer in the last few decades. Many have voluntarily moved away from commercial fertilizer and embraced these biological techniques in the last few years. However, a majority are still trading away profits for purchased fertility and are addicted to the quick fix it gives its user. Sometimes a kick in the butt (i.e. the high $ figure on the fertilizer bill) is needed to provide the incentive to make a change. The only uncertainties are 1) how hard will the kick need to be? And 2) how many times will they need to receive it? I’m betting most Kentucky farmers are fast learners when properly motivated.

Mid-Year Cattle Report Continues to Show Decreasing Cattle Inventory

Kenny Burdine Extension Professor

In late July, USDA-NASS released their mid-year estimates of U.S. cattle inventory. As expected, the report showed lower inventory across most all cattle types. All cattle and calves were estimated to be down by just under 2%, while beef cow inventory was estimated down by 2.4%. This is very consistent with beef cow slaughter volumes, which have been running 14% higher than 2021. In nominal terms, 252 thousand more beef cows have been harvested through the first week of July this year than last year. Much of this has been due to dry conditions in significant parts of cattle country, but high production costs and strong cull cow prices have also been factors.

Heifer retention estimates also paint a picture of a cowherd that is shrinking in size. I always like to review the heifer development number, which was estimated to be down by roughly 3.5%.

Figure 1 expresses this number as a percent of beef cow inventory each year, which is actually

my preferred way to think about it. The blue line tracks this for each mid-year report back to 1973, while the black line is simply the average from all those years. There was no estimate in 2016, which is why the gap exists. In general, expansion occurs when heifer retention exceeds the longrun average, while contraction occurs when heifer retention is below the long-run average. Note that retention has been about 1% below the long-run average for the last four years.

One number from the report that looks strange at first glance is the cattle on feed estimate, which was actually flat from last year. Since calf crops have been getting smaller since 2018, one would expect on-feed inventories to follow suit. However, consistent with decreases in heifer retention, more females are being placed on feed. Plus, dry weather in much of the country has pushed cattle into feedlots sooner than would have normally been expected. As we continue

to see decreases in cattle inventory, these cattle on feed numbers are not sustainable and beef production levels will drop.

Since most cow-calf operations calve in the spring, most culling occurs in the fall, after spring-born calves are weaned. For that reason, the January inventory report tends to be a better measure of the size of the U.S. cowherd. But, there is no doubt that 2022 is going to be another year of contraction for the U.S. beef cow herd. The combination of high culling levels and decreased heifer retention are likely to result in something like a 3% reduction in the size of the U.S. cow herd by January 2023. Weather patterns, and prices for calves and cull cows this fall, will ultimately determine how many more cows leave the herd between now and the end of the year. A full summary of the July 1, 2022 inventory report can be seen in Table 1.

The Agricultural Economics Department publishes the Economic and Policy Update towards the end of each month. Each issue features articles written by extension personnel within the department and other experts across the country.

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

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

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

Figure 1: Beef Heifer Retention as a Percent of Beef Cow Inventory

Table 1: USDA July 1, 2022 Cattle Inventory Estimates

United Producers, Inc. Purchases New Facility, Relocating Irvington Auction Market

COLUMBUS, OH. -- United Producers, Inc. (UPI), the Midwest’s largest livestock marketing cooperative, is excited to announce that it has purchased a new livestock facility, the United Producers Livestock Center, located at 1380 Highway 1401 in Harned, Ky. The facility will host weekly livestock auctions and will accommodate special sales and other industry related events. The date for the first sale will be announced in the coming weeks.

UPI is investing in this new facility as a demonstration of its strong commitment to the livestock producers in the region, while building on the success of its market in Irvington, Ky. The new facility is better equipped for safe handling and care of animals, underscoring the co operative’s dedication to the well-being of its employees and the livestock in their care, ultimately creating value for both consignors and buyers. Additionally, the facil ity will allow for expanded opportunities to serve more producers and support the local community.

This multi-faceted facility, sitting on more than 13 acres, includes a 52,840 sq. ft. building with approxi mately 47,000 sq. ft. of pens under roof and 11,500 sq. ft. of outside pen space. It was designed for efficiency, ease of movement and proper care of the livestock, in

cluding easy water access for the animals. The facilities can comfortably host other agricultural and industry events/meetings.

“Our vision is not just to be a location for livestock auctions, but to be a focal point for the agricultural community in this area,” said Mike Bumgarner, presi dent and CEO of UPI. “UPI values connectedness and collaboration within the agricultural communities that we serve. As a cooperative, our customers are members and are active in the governance of our organization, making us all stronger when we work together. We look forward to welcoming everyone, especially live stock producers and agricultural organizations, to the United Producers Livestock Center and introducing them to UPI’s values and services.”

UPI serves 30,000 members in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Tennessee, handling approximately 2.5 million head of livestock per year. UPI also offers risk management services, including marketing agreements and brokerage services; and offers competitive credit services for agricultural, farm machinery and livestock financing. For more informa tion, visit uproducers.com or follow United Producers, Inc. on Facebook.

KineticVet Announces Availability of RE-COVR™

RE-COVR™ (Tripelennamine Hydrochloride Injection)

LEXINGTON, KY—RE-COVR™ KineticVet announces FDA approval of RE-COVR™ (tripelen namine hydrochloride injection), NADA # 006-417, supplied as a sterile solution in multiple dose vials (250 mL) containing 20 mg per mL. RE-COVR™ is an injectable antihistamine indicated for use in cattle (beef & dairy) and horses. It is approved for conditions in which antihistaminic therapy may be expected to lead to alleviation of some signs of disease.

RE-COVR™ is part of KineticVet’s commitment to deliver the latest product innovation. It is available through your animal health supplier in a 250 mL (20 mg per mL) bottle. For more information call 877786-9882 or visit www.kineticvet.com.

Founded in 1999, KineticVet is a worldwide leader in innovative health care solutions for equine, bovine and companion animals offering a wide range of re searched and result-oriented products and services. We are dedicated to innovation in product develop ment. KineticVet will strive to become a preferred supplier of customer-valued solutions. .

ALERT!

Theileria orientalis Ikeda in Cattle

An Emerging Risk

Disease Affecting Cattle Detected in Kentucky

ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK A KNOWN CARRIER OF THE DISEASE Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Theileria orientalis

Two cases of a new, potentially dangerous, disease of cattle has been detected in Kentucky, according to Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Katie Flynn.

Theileria orientalis Ikedia, which is a protozoon known to be carried by the Asian Longhorned tick (ALT), has been diagnosed in two beef herds, one in Fleming County and the second in Hart County. In each instance, a beef breed bull fell ill and died. There is no relationship between the herds.

“The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Office of the State Veterinarian is working closely with agriculture producers to contain these incidents and protect our herds across the state,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “Protecting the health of livestock in the commonwealth is a top priority of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.”

Ikeda, a tickborne parasite, has been isolated as a cause of disease and death in cattle from neighboring states (Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee). An Emerging Risk Notice has been issued for T. orienatalis Ikeda by USDA APHIS.

Theileria is a tickborne protozoa that infects red and white blood cells causing severe anemia in cattle as well as abortions, stillbirths, weakness, reluctance to walk, and death. Physical examination may reveal pale mucus membranes, high fever and elevated heart and respiratory rates. Theileria can be confused with Anaplasma marginale infections because both cause anemia. A blood test can distinguish the two diseases.

Once an animal is infected with Theileria,

ARE KENTUCKY CATTLE AT RISK?

Yes, Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services has reported identification of T. orienatalis Ikeda in cattle from Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Kansas.

it becomes a carrier, which is a source of infection for other cattle in the herd. There is no approved effective treatment or vaccine for the disease, making prevention and biosecurity imperative.

Though a threat to cattle, the disease is not a threat to human health. Humans cannot become sick from contact with affected cattle, and consuming meat from affected cattle is safe provided the meat has been cooked to an appropriate temperature.

needles for every injection reduces the spread of bloodborne pathogens. A veterinarian should be notified in the instance of animals showing signs of lethargy or weakness.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?

This disease is transmitted to cattle by the bite of the T. orienatalis Ikeda- infected Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, commonly referred to as the Asian longhorned tick (ALT) or through use of contaminated needles. Currently, ALT has been identified in seven Kentucky counties (Boone, Breathitt, Floyd, Madison, Martin, Metcalfe, and Perry).

The Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT) has been found to be a primary carrier for this disease. The tick has previously been detected in Boone, Metcalfe, Floyd, Martin, Madison, Breathitt, and Perry counties in Kentucky. It is possible that the tick is present and undetected in additional Kentucky counties. The ALT has been found to attach to livestock, wildlife, dogs, cats, birds, and humans. Cattle producers should consider tick control measures to lessen the likelihood of Theileria infections in their cattle herds.

In partnership with the University of Kentucky, Tick Laboratory, University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Murray State University Breathitt Veterinary Center, and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory, the Office of the State Veterinarian is coordinating a passive surveillance system of tick and blood samples from cattle with clinical signs to help identify the presence of the Asian Longhorned Tick and Theileria orientalis Ikeda in Kentucky.

WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL SIGNS IN CATTLE?

The Office of the State Veterinarian has also created an alert flyer for cattle owners and coordinated no cost testing of blood for Theileria. Results are available to producers.

Tick control measures include keeping pastures mowed and cattle restricted from wooded areas. Regular inspection of cattle for ticks and use of acaricides, such as ear tags, pourons, or back rubs, are helpful. Long-acting macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin, moxidectin, eprinomectin) have shown to be effective in tick control in field research trials. Use of clean

This tickborne protozoon infects red and white blood cells causing an infectious anemia. Clinical signs are similar to anaplasmosis and include pale mucous membranes, jaundice, difficult breathing, lethargy, occasional abortions, and deaths. It is possible that T. oreintalis Ikeda may cross react with anaplasma serological tests. Diagnosis is made by a PCR test of cattle blood. Tick identification is helpful in the diagnosis and premise assessment.

Information gathered will be used to create maps that depict the spread of the ALT and Theileria across Kentucky. Farm and ownership information will remain confidential.

IS T. orientalis Ikeda TREATABLE?

There is no known treatment or vaccine. Recovered cattle may serve as carriers of the disease. Disease control is achieved by controlling the tick vector, ALT. Humans are not known to become infected by this pathogen.

Those who want to submit tick samples for identification or cattle blood samples for Theileria testing,can contact Kentucky Deputy State Veterinarian Dr. Kerry Barling at Kerry. Barling@ky.gov or call (502) 782-5921 for more information.

The Enemy Within Our Industry…

Don Schiefelbein NCBA President

Six months into my tenure as the President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), I have had the opportunity to travel and visit with fellow cattle producers from coast to coast. A couple of months ago at the Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, I had the opportunity to meet fellow cattle producer Kevin Escobar. Kevin mentioned that he had heard me visit with the Florida attendees and that the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) officers and I, an NCBA officer, appeared to share so much in common.

The following week, Kevin asked if I would be willing to jump on call with three additional USCA officers. We visited for more than an hour and to the surprise of some, we almost unanimously agreed on what the real threats to our industry were. It was on that phone call, that the group challenged me to share my thoughts in this opinion editorial.

Like many of you, I come from a family farming, cattle feeding and ranching operation. Our large all family operation includes my father and mother, their nine sons (I am son number seven), eight daughters in-law, 32 grandchildren and

their 15 spouses and 32 great grandchildren. Our massive family group adds up to more than 80 members. Like any family operation, the key to our success is being able to work together for the benefit of us all. From my perspective, the beef community I serve has so many similarities to my large family.

Don’t Focus on Wedge Issues

As a family operation, we literally would not survive if we focused on the issues that our family is not in agreement on. The term I use to describe these non-consensus items is “wedge” issues. Every industry and every family has wedge issues. These are typically complex subjects where smart people on both sides simply disagree. Typically, these wedge issues bring about strong emotions and, if truth be told, the solutions are neither obvious nor easy.

In our current beef business, a few of these wedge issues include price discovery, use of Checkoff funds and mandatory country of origin labeling. In each of these sensitive issues, good cattlemen disagree.

On the wedge issue of price discovery alone, our industry invested almost two years of precious time, spent lots of valuable dollars and groups on both sides of the issue used a tremendous amount of political clout. No consensus was reached… just lost opportunities.

Similarly, on the critical issue of the national Beef Checkoff and state beef council-led Checkoff programs, our industry spent millions of dollars fighting amongst ourselves in court only to have the Supreme Court affirm the legality of the Beef Checkoff and affirm that USDA has appropriate oversight of the state beef councils and Checkoff programs.

Our Enemies Win

The only winners on these wedge issues are the lawyers and those that want to put us out of business. Our enemies have figured out that the best way to take down the beef industry is not by attacking us directly but by fostering hatred and disagreement within our ranks. It should not come as a surprise to anyone that a huge sum of the litigation expense against the Beef Checkoff was gladly funded by the likes of allies and

partners of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), an organization with the primary goal of eliminating animal agriculture. As well, you should be alarmed to learn that Senator Cory Booker, a vegan who is not a friend of agriculture, has now become a member of the Senate Ag Committee and routinely supports the introduction of bills that further wedge our industry.

Let’s Focus on the 90% of Issues Where We Agree

There’s no shortage of issues that pose real and immediate danger to the long-term success of our industry. While our enemies remain focused on the wedge issues that divide us, large issues are quietly growing and are not being addressed proactively, like foreign animal diseases and cell cultured fake meat.

If COVID taught us anything, we should have learned that in the face of a disease crisis, our government can overreact and substantially disrupt the marketplace. Imagine if a cattle virus hit our nation. You can be assured that overnight our export market would cease, along with it, the loss of at least $500 of value per head of every fed beef animal processed. You could also anticipate that the enemies of our beef industry would take advantage of this terrible situation by attempting to completely shut down our domestic market. The result would be a disruption so large that it could cripple our industry.

Another huge, looming issue is cell cultured fake meat. This is not the fake meat we see in the store or on a menu. Cell cultured fake meat is grown in petri dish. I am concerned that the beef community has been lulled to sleep with the recent failures of fake meat companies. While not perfected yet, estimates suggest a product rollout within the next five years of cell cultured fake meat that may mimic the look, texture and even the flavor of our beef. Our industry cannot afford to lose focus on this potential game changing product. Now is the time to work together to put into place effective safeguards to preserve our future.

Foreign disease and cell cultured fake meat are just a couple of issues our beef community faces. Our industry routinely defends producers on taxes, WOTUS, environmental overreach, death tax, endangered species, burdensome regulations, etc., etc., etc.

For the sake of the future of our business, we must work together as an industry. We need, as leaders, to find common ground on the 90+ percent that will likely determine our long-term fate and avoid the death trap of wedge issues that place our industry groups in the circular firing squad where we inflict damage to each other as our enemies gleefully watch. Just as my father reminds our family, our industry needs to heed that same advice: The only way we lose is by attacking each other BUT if we stand together united, we are unstoppable.

ABSOLUTE AUCTION

2018 Massey Ferguson 2607H, 540 hours, 74 HP, front weights • 2020 Mahindra 5570 with loader, 70 HP, shuttle shift, dual remotes, 340 hours, bucket, double spear, pallet forks • 2015 Massey Ferguson 1835 square baler, center 72” pickup, wagon hitch and chute, superb baler • 2018 Massey Ferguson 1363 discbine, 9’8” cutting area, center tow, side wow, rubber rollers • 2014 Massey Ferguson 1745 round baler, 4x5 with crowder wheels, baled 2500 rolls • 2019 Rhino VR10, 10 wheel rake with center kicker wheel • 2019 Rhino PT405H 4 basket tedder • 2021 Titan 10 bale grapple/accumulator • 2021 Huster Raptor SDX, 60 inch cut, 45 hours • 2001 Chevy 3500, steel flat, extended cab, automatic, gas, excellent truck • 20ft bumper hitch trailer, dual axle, 8 lug, new floor, ramps, dove tail • Ag Spray, 200 gallon, 3pt, 28ft boom with gun • (3) Kory 20ft wagons • Easy Trail 20ft wagon • 18ft wagon • 3pt JD 2 row no till planter, corn meter and extra meter for sunflowers • Hay-Rite 16ft elevator, well built • Ford 3 bottom plows, 15” with coulters • 12 inch posthole digger • 12,500 lb winch with hitch receiver, like new • Gallagher TN210 cattle weight scale, super condition • Terra Force 74, 6’2” rotary tiller, very light use • 22ft batwing spike harrow, new cylinder and tires • Woods HD315, 15ft batwing, in good working shape • Countyline fertilizer spreader & seeder, 850 lbs capacity

Paul Playforth, auctioneer (859) 583-7788 or email playforth@gmail.com.

SEPT 24 • 10:30 am @ 2620 Preachersville Rd, Stanford, KY

Onsite Auction with internet bidding. Owner is retiring. Everything bought new except the truck, trailer, and JD Planter. See it all online on or before SEPT 10

Wesley C. Parker Named 2022 Kentucky Farmer of The Year

Wesley Parker was raised on a 150–acre dairy farm in Christian County, Kentucky, where his family grew silage and hay for their cows and a small crop of tobacco. In the late 1970s, they transitioned out of the milk business into raising hogs. Parker recalled, “My dad, brother, and brother-in-law and I formed a partnership that worked well for a while. But in the 1980s, we went through some very tough times. My brother and brother-in-law had to take jobs in town. I stayed with it, growing row crops and raising a few beef cows.”

The decision to stick with farming was rooted in part in his educational background. Parker had spent four years earning a BS degree in Agriculture from Murray State University, graduating in 1976. It was also the place where he met his future wife, Marsha, who obtained a

BS degree in Home Economics in 1977. She remembered, “Wesley and I met on the very first day in our first 7:30 a.m. class, and we married the year I graduated. I guess you could say that getting up that early worked out pretty well.”

Marsha had a full-time job as a University of Kentucky Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, so she and Wesley were able to financially survive those difficult years in the 80s when a lot of farms in the area went under due to drought conditions, crop failures, and market difficulties. They also raised two daughters, Angela (“Angie”) and Erin.

“Our girls were instilled with a love of the land,” Parker said. “They got to experience work the way we did growing up, feeding calves, helping with the strawberries, peppers, tobacco, and whatever else we were doing that we thought would make some money at the time.”

Now married and parents themselves, Angela Parker Bronson, 41, and Erin Parker Thomas, 39, both live in the Nashville, Tennessee area. Their proud dad said, “Fortunately, my daughters married intelligent, hard-working, professional men. Angie’s husband, Stewart Bronson, is a home builder in South Nashville. Erin’s husband, Bryan Thomas, is a construction law attorney, and between them, we have five grandchildren from the ages of one to twelve whom we enjoy immensely.” He added, “They like coming back to the farm to play, hunt, and help out when needed. Our daughters are active volunteers at their kids’ schools and church.” Marsha Parker retired after thirty years of working for UK Extension and

helps on the farm, especially around planting and harvest times.

Parker Farms began with 200 acres of rented land. Today Wesley Parker operates 1650 acres, with 1250 rented and 418 acres owned. His yields are as follows: 633 acres of yellow corn yielding 225 bushes/acre; 167 acres of white corn yielding 240 bushes/acre; 843 acres of soybeans yielding 59 bushels/acre; 802 acres of wheat yielding 90 bushels/acre and 7 acres of Burley tobacco yielding 2600 lbs/acre. He also raises five beef cows and has one bull; five feeders of 600 lbs/ average are sold annually.

Parker’s corn, soybeans, and wheat are marketed in a combination of cash sales, and hedge to arrive contracts, and storage hedges. Tobacco is raised on a contract basis with Philip Morris. And the calves are sold as feeders in the fall of each year.

As his operation is a combination of owned and rented land, Parker said he works with a variety of landowners, some out of state, who have varied professional backgrounds. “One of them lives in Hawaii, one in Florida, and one in Tennessee.

I’ve learned over the years,” he stated, “to find out what’s important to them and what their goals are. That way I can look out for their interests to the best of my ability, as well as my own. It’s an important lesson to learn in life: take care of the people around you—your family, friends, church members, and business colleagues. If you do that, everything else falls into place.”

As a Conservation District Supervisor, Parker is exposed to many ideas and practices that help

conserve the land and natural resources. He commented, “I’ve tried many at different times: cover crops, grass waterways, no-till, minimum till, ditch crossing, and tree plantings. I also raise a lot of wheat to help hold the ground together.”

And speaking of holding the ground together, December 11, 2021 delivered a physical thrashing to the western region of Kentucky and northwestern Tennessee in the form of an EF-1 tornado. Winds of 100 mph a half-mile wide stayed on the ground for roughly three hours with deadly and catastrophic results. Parker recalled, “We were blessed to survive it, and our house sustained only minor damage. But it destroyed shops, barns, and four out of five of our grain bins on both our land and on several of our rented farms.”

“That weather event,” he added, “certainly made it a very difficult year, both physically and mentally. But we came through it intact, so we know God was watching over us. The cleanup, rebuilding, and repairing are works in progress.”

In recent years, Parker has identified and accomplished a number of farming goals. These include evening out the fertility across the farm by starting grid sampling and use of variable rates of fertilizer and lime. He also wanted to improve the wildlife habitat on the home farm and took steps to preserve trees and woods, leaving some crop in edges of field for winter feed.

Parker added, “Lately I’ve been able to more timely plant and harvest by keeping a newer line of equipment. In order to increase grain drying and storage to facilitate harvests I built a dryer and two bins in 2009 and have added a bin every couple of years since.” He also stays abreast of new technology by exploring varieties of crops, investing in equipment, computers, and studying crop genetics.

Parker’s consistent participation in community and industry associations has been a hallmark of his farming activities. On the county level, he has served in various leadership capacities on the Christian County Farm Bureau’s board of directors and is currently chairman of its policy development and budget committee. He is chairman of the board of directors of Southern States and vice chair of the Christian County Conservation District; he is also a member of the Christian County Pork Producers and Cattlemen’s Associations. On the state level, he was awarded the Kentucky Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year award in 2021 and serves as a voting delegate at the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. Parker hosted KFB Young Farmer Summer Convention two different summers. On the national level, he served as a delegate for the KFB Congressional Tour to Washington, DC in 1990, 1999, and 2013 with his wife, Marsha.

Marsha Parker has been active since 2009 with Jobs for Life, an organization that helps jail inmates and women in drug rehabilitation. She is also a member of the Christian County Farm Bureau board of directors and serves on the Building and Fair Committee. On the state level, Marsha is a presenter for IFAL (Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders) and is a Kentucky Farm Bureau annual meeting voting delegate. In the past she’s also participated in many National Extension Association FCS meetings and received in 2011 its Distinguished Service Award.

The Parkers are very involved in Southside Church of Christ in Hopkinsville where both have taught Sunday school for decades and have been active in a number of leadership roles. In 2018, they had the opportunity to go on a small-group mission trip to Costa Rica. Marsha recalled, “We were so taken with the

open-mindedness and warm hospitality of the people there. It was one of the friendliest places we’ve ever been, and it was a truly rewarding experience.”

When Wesley and Marsha Parker take time out from farming, once or twice a year they hitch up their fifth wheeler and go exploring beautiful spots in their state and down into Tennessee. They’ve also taken longer trips out West. Parker said, “We’ve visited Glacier Park in Montana, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, and Yellowstone National Park. There’s something wonderful about the great open spaces out there where the sound of elk bugling may be the loudest thing you hear all day.”

As to future expansion, Parker plans to keep the family farm stable with the hope that the kids or grandkids will carry on if they so desire. He said, “I try to continually improve things as they are, but wouldn’t turn down expansion opportunities if they were close by. Our efforts over the last twenty years have paid off in terms of consistent improvement in crop yield and prices. There’s a lot of satisfaction in that, and we are certainly grateful for all those blessings.”

A distinguished panel of judges will visit Wesley Parker, along with the farms of the other nine state finalists, the week of August 8–12. The judges include John McKissick, long-time University of Georgia agricultural economist at Athens, Georgia; David Wildy, Manila, Arkansas, the overall winner of the award in 2016; and Joe West, Tifton, Georgia, retired dairy scientist and assistant Dean of the University of Georgia Tifton Campus.

For information on all ten state farmers of the year, visit www.sunbeltexpo.com/foty or www. sunbeltexpo.com/news-media.

MEMBERSHIP

MADNESS AWARDS

KENTUCKY’S LARGEST COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION (BIG BULL AWARD) BARREN COUNTY (490 MEMBERS)

TOP TEN COUNTIES OVERALL (CASH PRIZE)

AWARDED $1,000 BARREN COUNTY (472 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $900 SHELBY COUNTY (350 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $800 ADAIR COUNTY (343 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $700 CHRISTIAN COUNTY (320 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $600 BATH COUNTY (318 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $500 MARION COUNTY (309 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $400 BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY (283 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $300 MADISON COUNTY (275 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $200 LINCOLN COUNTY (265 MEMBERS)

AWARDED $100 GRAYSON COUNTY (252 MEMBERS)

TOP THREE COUNTIES PER DIVISION IN NUMERICAL MEMBERSHIP INCREASE (CASH PRIZE)

AWARDED $1,000 CHRISTIAN COUNTY +62 MEMBERS

AWARDED $500 BATH COUNTY +47 MEMBERS

AWARDED $300 WASHINGTON COUNTY +41 MEMBERS

AWARDED $1,000 LARUE COUNTY +78 MEMBERS

AWARDED $500 EDMONSON COUNTY +68 MEMBERS

AWARDED $300 JESSAMINE COUNTY +48 MEMBERS

AWARDED $1,000 CALLOWAY COUNTY +43 MEMBERS

AWARDED $500 PENDLETON COUNTY +22 MEMBERS

AWARDED $300 ROBERTSON COUNTY +17 MEMBERS

COUNTY PRESIDENTS RED JACKET - COUNTIES WITH A 10 OR MORE MEMBERSHIP GAIN

JOE STULTS (LARUE) – SAM SKAGGS (EDMONSON) – DON PEMBERTON (CHRISTIAN)

RON RAY (JESSAMINE) – JIMMY CRAIG (BATH) – CORBIN COWLES (WARREN)

BLAKE MUNGER (CALLOWAY) – STEVE DEVINE (WASHINGTON) – PHILLIP REESE (CASEY)

FRED THOMAS (ADAIR) – DONAVAN PIGG (CLARK) – DEVON TRAMMELL (ALLEN)

BEN TINSLEY (ANDERSON) – STEVE DOWNS (MARION) – NICOLE GOECKE (BRACKEN)

JIMMY ROSEBERRY (PENDLETON) – KYLE JACOBS (OWEN) – JOE MIKE MOORE (BARREN)

CAYEANN COWAN (ROBERTSON) – JEFF CARPENTER (ROCKCASTLE) – IRVIN KUPPER (SHELBY)

KERRY REDDING (FRANKLIN) – PHILLIP STAMM (LEWIS) – SHANNON MONTROSS (MADISON)

BART CAPPS (CLINTON-CUMBERLAND) – DANNY CALLAHAN (ESTILL) – CHRIS MCBURNEY (HENRY)

ROBERT FLAUGHER (NORTHEAST AREA) – KENNY BOLTON (GARRARD)

PLEASE CHECK THE MEMBERSHIP(S)

MEMBERSHIP

WOULD

TO JOIN:

RENEWAL

COUNTY DUES

Dues are $30 except for the counties listed below.

Allen................................$40 Anderson........................$25 Bourbon..........................$20 Boyle

Bullitt

Butler

Franklin

Highlands

(Boyd, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence,

Martin)

Hopkins

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

Louisville Area

(Jefferson, & Spencer) Magoffin

Menifee

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

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

Oldham

Taylor

Twin Lakes

Warren

Wayne

Whitley

Woodford

AN EPIC SUMMER

On our farm, summer time brings early mornings and late evenings with the 4-H animals, working in our garden, making lots of hay and haylage, grazing cattle, and did I mention making hay. It also brings time for us to sharpen our axe. What? Take a vacation. This year was epic! My family along with three of my best friends and their families camped our way out to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks in July. We saw some of the most breathtaking sights this wonderful country has to offer along with some amazing farming operations. We window farmed all the way out and all the way back. Heck, we even stopped at the National Farm Toy Museum as well as visited with a farmerfeeder who finishes our cattle. We made some big memories!

Of course, KBC also had an epic summer with a lot of opportunities to promote beef to fellow Kentuckians. The summer grilling campaign kicked off with television, radio, and social media. We also made sure beef was in front of consumers when they were making purchases by hosting Burger Weeks in Lexington and Louisville, training restaurant waitstaff, and encouraging meat associates in grocery stores. Of course, we also took time to visit with some health influencers to share the beef story.

SUMMER GRILLING AND TAILGATING E-COMMERCE PROMOTION

KBC along with several other state beef councils teamed up with Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner., Kroger, and their internal marketing team (Kroger Precision Marketing/84.51) to support retail beef sales for the 2022 summer grilling season. The promotion runs from June 21 to September 5. KBC participation focuses on running BIWFD creative on Kroger’s Pinterest which leads shoppers back Kroger’s e-commerce site (online shopping portal). The pins target current beef buyers, lapsed beef buyers, as well as those that purchase other meats. Pins not only include beef “beauty” shots for meal inspiration, but also share beef product information and recipes. At the end of the promotion, KBC will receive state-specific measurables, including impressions, click-through rates to

Kroger’s e-commerce platforms, and attributable beef sales data for those who click through via Pinterest and purchase beef in their online cart.

BEEF UP YOUR SUMMER SALES RETAIL PROMOTION

Beginning June 26 through September 10, KBC will be working with Kroger Meat Associates to Beef Up Summer Sales. This promotion focuses on encouraging associates to feature beef during the major summer grilling holidays. Each store will compete against their 2021 sales. They will be eligible for weekly prizes and the ultimate prize - a Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner RTIC cooler. Kroger is also providing helpful merchandising information through their internal communication systems.

HEALTH INFLUENCERS VISIT BEEF FARMERS TO LEARN ABOUT THE FARM

In partnership with Murray State University and Western Kentucky University’s Dietetic Internship programs, KBC provided opportunities for 30 interns to learn more about what happens on a Kentucky beef farm. Since Murray State’s Program is completely virtual, KBC took the farmers to them by creating a 30-minute beef farmer panel, which featured Jon Bednarski, Amanda Hall, and Joe Lowe, to discuss common questions and myths students had about raising beef. Additionally, KBC Registered Dietitian, Janine Faber, provided a presentation on working with agriculture where she shared beef selection, preparation, and nutrition tips. In late July, WKU dietetic interns had an opportunity to spend the morning on the farm with Joe and Cassie Lowe. During their visit, they had the opportunity to learn how the Lowes are working to be more sustainable through feeding by-products, rotational grazing, selecting the right genetics, and much more. Afterwards, they heard from Janine where they learned practical ways to talk to their clients about beef.

BLUEGRASS HOSPITALITY GROUP LEARNS ABOUT BEEF

In early August, 27 waitstaff and management from Bluegrass Hospitality Group visited UK’s campus and The Local Food Connection to learn about beef from pasture to plate and see exactly where the steaks come from. Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, UK Meat Extension Specialist, broke down a side of beef. This annual event not only provides participants with a unique opportunity to see their steaks before they’re on a plate, but it also allows them to get into kitchen and test their beef cooking skills. This training is just one of 4 trainings KBC hosts for BHG throughout the year.

Alison Smith Retail & Foodservice, Kentucky Beef Council

CAPRESE STEAK STARTER

As summer winds down, there are still a lot of tomatoes coming from the garden, farmers markets or grocery store. There is no better way to jazz up a traditional summer caprese salad than by adding beef! Try this Caprese Steak Starter found on www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. Serve it as a meal or as an appetizer!

INGREDIENTS: 1 pound beef Top Sirloin Boneless, cut 1 inch thick • 1/2 cup reducedfat or regular balsamic vinaigrette, divided • 1 pint grape tomatoes • 1 container (7.5 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese balls, drained • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil • salt and pepper

COOKING: Cut beef steak into 1-inch pieces. Place beef and 1/4 cup vinaigrette in foodsafe plastic bag; turn to coat. Close bag securely. Combine remaining 1/4 cup dressing, tomatoes and mozzarella in medium bowl, stirring to coat; cover. Marinate beef and vegetables in refrigerator 15 minutes to 2 hours.

Soak four 10-inch bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes; drain. Remove beef from vinaigrette; discard marinade. Thread beef evenly onto skewers, leaving small space between pieces. Place skewers on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 5 to 7 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7 to 9 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.

Cook's Tip: To broil, place skewers on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 3 to 4 inches from heat. Broil 7 to 11 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning once. Remove beef from skewers; add to bowl with tomato and mozzarella. Stir in basil; mixing to coat beef with vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Evenly divide beef mixture among small serving plates.

Bradon Burks Director of Education

The Kentucky Beef Council’s Youth Leadership Program was held August 2nd-5th. During this week, 17 program participants toured various beef focused agricultural entities. These young men and women were able to network with leaders in the state about various careers, internships, and educational opportunities that they can use in their future endeavors. We would like to say a special thank you to the following businesses/people who hosted our group:

• Bluegrass Regional Marketplace

• Brenda Paul

• Nikki Whitaker, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association

• Alltech Inc.

• Multigen Genetics

• Branch View Angus

• Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment

• Hampton Meats

• Champion Petfood’s

• Chaney’s Dairy Barn

Attendees also attended a Bowling Green Hot Rods Game, sponsored by the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association. KBC Youth Leadership Program Participants included:

• Caleb Kernodle

• Cody Dawson

• Cooper Patrick

• Ty Elrod

• Johnny Scherder

• Tyler Hibbard

• Gage Stone

• Meri Grace Carson

• Bryanna Smith

• Hannah Huffman

• Jenna Wethington

• Mollie Webb

• Whitney Peck

• Macey Thompson

• Emily Tabor

• Madison Frogue

• Kyleigh Penn

• Lillie Thorn

TODAY’S DATE

SELLER’S

CITY

SELLER’S

STATE ZIP

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM

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

NUMBER (IF KNOWN)

BUYER’S

ADDRESS

ZIP

BUYER’S SIGNATURE

PERSON REMITTING FORM

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

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 05810093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

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

BEEF QUALITY & CARE ASSURANCE

CHUTE SIDE TRAINING

TUESDAY • SEPT 13 • 6-9PM (CST) Kentucky Tennessee Livestock Market 9169 Russellville Road • Guthrie, KY 42234

5:15pm Registration and Dinner

5:50pm Welcome and Housekeeping

6:00pm Chute Side Pregnancy Tests

Hands-on Implant Demonstratioin

Chute Side BQCA Training and Techniques

Body Condition Scoring and Feeder Calf Grading/Cull Cow Considerations

Winter Feeding Strategies

8:30pm Closing Remarks and Completion of BQCA Test for Certification

Pre-register by September 9 by calling the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association office at (859) 278-0899 or email kbn@kycattle.org

REGISTER SOON! 60 spots available!

Attendees who complete the BQCA exam at the end of the training will become BQCA Certified. BQCA certification is valid for three years.

Eden Shale Update

Dan Miller Industry Coordinator, Kentucky Beef Network

Sometimes I get feedback that the Eden Shale Farm is not realistic. If you read this article every month I see how you might formulate that opinion. With limited space to write I tend to highlight the positive and successful projects that we have been working on. However, if you have visited the farm you will quickly notice that this is a real operation with real challenges that we work to overcome every day. Let me give you a few examples of what has went wrong this past month.

Pinkeye, one of the more frustrating health issues cattle face on an annual basis. For the past four years we have been using a cultured vaccine that our vet created for our area, and we have had 100% success with no pinkeye issues at all. But this year has been another story. This summer we have treated at least half of all the cows and calves for pinkeye. It has gotten to the point that the herd doesn’t want to come to the barn to be sorted and treated anymore. And I don’t blame them, they are not the only ones tired of the process…

Another recent project causing frustration was one of the water harvesting locations. This particular system has a 3,000 gallon tank that uses a solar panel and control box

to pump water up to another 3,000 gallon tank that discharges directly into a tire water tank. We have been having electrical issues with the pump. First, it was not pumping water up to the secondary tank when it should. After fixing a short in the wiring, we came back to the system the next day and the pump had not shut off when the upper tank was full. Upon further inspection we found a different connection that was loose and there for not communicating with the control box. As of now everything is back together and functioning properly (fingers crossed).

Continuing with water issues, we had the Ritchie water trough in the bull barn start leaking. Upon further inspection the thermostat went bad and did not turn off the heating element, which managed to fall from its mount down onto the rubber inlet hose creating a leak. The heating element also unknowingly melted two wires apart and when Greg first reached into the wet mess to pull the heating element free he was shocked by the 110v water. We flipped the breaker and turned the water source off and this one is still on the list of things to fix before we wean calves next month.

Another pesky foe at the farm is the ground

hog, and we seem to have our share of them too. They are around several of our buildings, but they created a bigger problem at our main working facility. We have a box scales in our alleyway right before the head chute. The groundhog burrowed under the scales and mounded up enough dirt beneath it that the scales were not floating free and therefore would not weight properly. The barn barely had enough room to allow us to lift the scales about 6 inches with the tractor and rake the dirt and debris from underneath. After cleaning and resituating the scales back on the concrete pad they were weighing accurately again. In all, we cleaned a full tractor bucket worth of dirt from under them. I don’t wish ill will on anybody, except groundhogs (and maybe wasps)!

This month also had a couple of minor breakdowns. The bush hog lost a large bolt that holds the main deck to the running gear. Two pipe wrenches, an adjustable wrench, and one pry bar later we had it back up and running.

The Gator had to have some maintenance recently as well. After 13,000 miles of farm use it was in need of all new upper and lower ball joints. $1,000 later it steers like new!

As with any farm each new day will present challenges, but prioritize and address them one by one and before you know it, you have gotten a lot done.

Ben Lloyd Whitesville, KY

(270) 993-1074

benlloyd0223@gmail.com

Ron Shrout Winchester, KY (606) 205-6143 ronshrout@bellsouth.net

Charles Embry

Cave City, KY (270) 646-5939

dale.embry@yahoo.com

Jeff Stephens Ewing, KY (606) 782-7640 stephensbeef@gmail.com

Jacob Settles Springfield, KY (859) 805-0724

jacob.settles4@yahoo.com

BLEVINS BLACK CATTLE

Gary, Nicole, & Ethan Blevins 59 Fieldstone Court Greenup, KY 4114 606.465.4040 blevinsblackcattle@gmail.com

BOYD BEEF CATTLE

6077 Helena Road

Mayslick, KY 41055

Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5194 • Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718 www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net

BRANCH VIEW ANGUS

927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, KY 40437

(859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com

James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey

Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

BURKS CATTLE CO.

531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160

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

BURTON & SONS ANGUS

Joe D. or Karen Burton

480 Hominy Hill Rd. Nancy, KY 42544

Joe: (606) 305-3081

Located 15 miles West of Somerset

Bulls & females

Data driven since 1981.

COFFEY ANGUS FARMS

661 Hopewell Road

Liberty, KY 42539

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288

Dewey Coffey: (606) 706-2699

Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

JASON & KATIE CROWE

ELI HASKELL

10825 Red Lick Road

Irvine, KY 40336

(859) 582-0761

DAVIS BEND FARMS

2315 Davis Bend Road Canmer, KY 42722

timmothyljeffries@gmail.com www.davisbendfarms.com

Tim: (270) 528-6605

(270)

HERITAGE FARM

Tom McGinnis

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

HILL VIEW FARMS

Jimmy Gilles

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

JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS

Angus Bulls & Females

Slaughters, KY

Keith: (270) 635-0723

Reese: (270) 635-1137

LYNN CREEK FARMS

Kris and Sara Lynn

2184 Bardstown Rd Springfield KY 40069 573-721-6663

MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS

Bob, Kathy, and Rob Clark (859) 748-5558

1446 Kennedy Bridge Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330

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

FOUR KINGS ANGUS

250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330

Cary & Kim King Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com

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

OLD BARK FARM

370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716

Kenley Conner 270/358-8057

Registered Angus Cattle

President: Henry B. Smith

Vice President: Anne Patton Schubert

Secretary/Treasurer: Anne DeMott

Past President: Jason Crowe

RAGS ANGUS FARM

Richard and Glenda Stallons

1240 Dogwood Kelly Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 rstallons@bellsouth.net

SHAW FAMILY ANGUS

Jim & Cathy Shaw

935 Miller Road • Hodgenville, KY 42748 (270) 769-8260

www.shawfamilyangus.com

Quality Registered Angus Cattle since 1975

SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM

5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Springs, KY 42642

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

Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311

ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS

Eric & Sherry St. Clair

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

Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com

Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale April 2020

TAMME VALLEY FARM

Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator (859) 583-7134 jacob.tamme@gmail.com www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook!

TRIPLE D ANGUS

Nathaniel & Darla Denham

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

TWIN CREEK FARM

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

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

Watch for us in Branch View Production Sale in April

Tim

Military Pike

Lexington, KY 40513

Home: (859)223-0326

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

3

6

(1) These juniors represented Ken tucky at the 2022 LEAD (Leaders Engaged in Angus Development) Conference, July 28-31 in Lexington, Ky. Pictured front row from left are Mackinziann Conway, Lawrenceburg; Emily Caffee, Bonnieville; Josie Phillips, Maysville; Lucy Jeffries, Taylor Jeffries and Lily Jeffries, all of Canmer; and Bryanna Smith, Russell Springs. Back row from left are Blane Smith, Russell Springs; Jacob Marksbury, Buffalo; Bryce Warren, Gamaliel; Josh Jasper, Nicholasville; and Adam McCauley, Cynthiana. A total of 100 juniors from 26 states and Canada attended the conference, “Angus takes the Triple Crown,”

where they enhance leadership and interpersonal skills while learning more about the beef industry. Photo by Peyton Schmitt, American Angus Association.

(2) These junior members won top honors in the intermediate B division of the prepared public speaking contest at the 2022 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Awards Cer emony, July 8 in Kansas City, Mo.

Pictured from left are Jade Lassaga, Wheatland, Calif., first; Rosalind Kidwell, Gentryville, Ind., second; and Bryanna Smith, Russell Springs, Ky., third. Photo by Pearl’s Pics. (3) Paula Boyd, Advisor of the Year (4) Diamond B S Charm J02 won bred-

and-owned bull class 6 at the 2022 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 2-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Austin Petow, Cynthiana, Ky., owns the win ning bull. Photo by Pearl’s Pics. (5) Mackinziann Conway, Lawrenceburg, represented Kentucky at the 2022 National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest, held in conjunction with the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 7-9 in Kansas City, Mo. For ty-two youth from across the country competed for top honors in the 56th annual event. Photo by Pearl’s Pics. (6) BCR Phyllis 092J won grand champion owned female at the 2022 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 2-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Josie

Phillips, Maysville, Ky., owns the April 2021 daughter of PVF Blacklist 7077. She first claimed junior cham pion-division 2. Chad Holtkamp, West Point, Iowa, judged owned heif ers; Parker Henley, Stillwater, Okla., assisted in judging owned heifers; Cody Sankey, Economy, Ind., judged the bred-and-owned heifers, bulls and cow-calf pairs; Chris Sankey, Council Grove, Kan., assisted in judging bred-and-owned heifers, bulls, and cow-calf pairs; Cory Thomsen, Madison, S.D., judged the steers; and Dr. Doug Parrett, Urbana, Ill., judged the phenotype and genotype heifers. A total of 1,143 entries were shown.

Photos by Pearl’s Pics.

I hope you all are doing well. I trust most cattlemen have finally received some much-needed rain. The Kentucky Angus Association has a busy fall approaching. As I write this letter the Kentucky State Fair is just a couple of weeks away. I hope you take the opportunity to visit the fair and see the agriculture that will be coming to town.

Sale season is almost here, cattle prices are improving, and the future looks encouraging. There are many opportunities in Kentucky to purchase high quality Angus breeding stock. I encourage you to use the Kentucky Angus Association Membership Directory for your seedstock selections, through auctions or private treaty. Give them a call!

If I or anyone with the Kentucky Angus Association can be any help to you, please reach out.

Thanks, Henry Bryan Smith

Anne Stewart DeMott, Secretary/Treasurer

Bulls

Bulls

GE EPD’s

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

Barry, Beth

Tippenhauer Rd.

Phone (859)

Spring, KY 41076

LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

106 Clark Houk Road

Greensburg, KY 42743

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

(270) 405-6848

Lpclarkandsons@msn.com

Kentucky Hereford Association

Kentucky Hereford Autumn Sale

Saturday, December 3 • Bluegrass Stockyards, Lexington

Contact Suzanne Matheny for Consignment Information suzannebmatheny@gmail.com or 606-584-0577

WELLS FARM

Polled Herefords

439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701

Toby & Debby Dulworth

2492 S. Kirkman Road

LaCenter, KY 42056

(270) 224-2993

dogwood@brtc.net

Herefords that thrive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com

6077 Helena Road

Mayslick, KY 41055

Charlie Boyd II 606-584-5194

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March

Hereford and Angus Bulls

Chambliss Hereford Farms

Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss

1101 Driftwood Lane Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Home (270) 982-3905

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

www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

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

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

KHA OFFICERS

President: L.W. Beckley

Secretary/ Treasurer: Suzanne Matheny 606-584-0577 suzannebmatheny@gmail.com

NJB Limited

Dale Stith

5239 Old Sardis Pike Mays Lick, KY 41055 dalestith@yahoo.com (918) 760-1550

Home of Select Sires’ Boyd Fort Knox 17yxz54040

HEREFORDS

Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355

rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com

MPH Farms

Registered Polled Herefords

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

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS

KYLE BUSH

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

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

Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln

TK4 Herefords

Tony & Kathy Staples

992 Knotts Road

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

WCN Polled Herefords

Since 1961

Bill Norris

2220 Celina Road

Burkesville, KY 42717

Phone (270) 433-7256

Cell (270) 433-1525

“Every calf needs a white face”

Jackson Farms

Registered Polled Herefords

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

billymjackson@aol.com

“Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

THOMAS FARM

Eric & Ronnie Thomas

2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 623-5734

Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256

“Cattle for sale at all times”

Windy Hills Farm

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

Breeding to produce good cows since 1981

PILE STOCK FARM

Registered Polled Herefords

HANSELL PILE, JR.

12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724 270-735-5192 270-862-4462

12 miles West of Elizabethtown

WOLF FARM

Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Females for sale

Tim & Peggy Wolf

12939 Peach Grove Road Alexandria, KY 41001

Home: 859-635-0899

Cell: 859-991-3484

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

L. Wayne Beckley • 1420 Fitchburg Rd.

Ravenna, KY 40472 • 606-723-3021

Cell: 859-779-0962

L.W. Beckley D.V.M

284 Pyrse Lane • Irvine, KY 40336

Cell: 859-779-1419 • Clinic: 606-726-0000 www.beckleyherefords.com

“Breeding Polled Herefords

over 58 Years” Breeding cattle forsale at all times. 1999 Walnut Hill Rd. Lexington, KY 40515 (859) 271-9086 cell (859)533-3790

WATSON LAND & CATTLE

Tucker Stock Farms

“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”

John

Tucker

John Tucker II

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

1790 Hidden Valley Lane Hudson, KY 40145 (270) 257-8548 Office (270) 257-8167

“Bulls always for Sale”

Edgewood Drive

Stanford, KY (606) 365-2520 home/fax

Matt - 606-748-1600 Melinda - 859-625-8660

LIMOUSIN

Breeders of the Bluegrass

Tom & Chris Daniel

Buck’s Limousin Farm

“secrets

Court

270-799-8685

Bowling Green, KY 42101

Joey

School

606-747-5886

606.782.7003

Mt. Sterling, KY 40353

859-585-1785

859-585-8388

LA ND & CATTLE

Daniel Gettings

202-7755

R

London, KY 40744

606-682-2125

Allen & Jon Anderson

260 Henderson Rd. Eubank, KY 42567

Allen: 606-872-8072

Jon: 606-305-8859

OAKS FARM

Terry W. McPhetridge • 606-843-6903

Cell: 606-524-9241 1645 Winding Blade Rd. East Bernstadt, KY 40729

Bob Minerich, 859-582-6888

Barnes Mill Rd. Ÿ Richmond, KY 40475 minegwen@aol.com

private

John Buck: (606) 474-7451

(606) 922-8174 2494 South St. Hwy. 7, Grayson, KY. 41143 johnbuck474@windstream.net

B.F. Evans Cattle Company

Byron Evans

P.O. Box 1509 599 Ray Allen Lane Versailles, KY 40383 Byron 859-509-8046

byron.evans59@yahoo.com

Greg Blaydes 859-338-9402

James Hicks 859-227-0490

Fullblood & Purebred Ÿ Embryos & Semen Stephen: 1225 E. Leestown Rd. Midway, KY 40347

Decker Family

& Tiffany Decker

KY

(270) 589-7999

Brad Kidd (606) 495-6396 (606) 738-9493

Paul Kidd (606) 743-7349 8254 Hwy 711 West Liberty KY 41472

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

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

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

Better cattle. Better profits.

406.205.3033 • internationalgeneticsolutions.com

FALL SALE

September 10, 2022 • Blue Grass Regional Marketplace, Lexington, KY

905-5851

1156 Buzzard Roost Road Shelbyville, KY 40065 502-593-5136

8308 Orangeburg Road Maysville, KY 41056

Chan: 606-584-7581

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

& 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

BRET AND LAURA JACKSON 859.533.3718 or 859.707.7200

DATE EVENT LOCATION AD

SEPT 3

Boyd Beef Cattle The “Breeders Cup” Sale Mayslick, KY

SEPT 5 Walker Herefords Foundations for the Future ‘22 Morrison, TN

SEPT 8 CPC Fall Field Day Fountain Run, KY

SEPT 10 CKAA Ladies Day Sale Danville, KY 10

SEPT 10 Crazy K Ranch Fall Female Opportu nity Sale Michie, TN

SEPT 10 Kentucky Simmental Association Fall Sale Lexington, KY

SEPT 17 8th Annual Foundation Sale Bowling Green, KY 25

SEPT 24 Shady Bottom Ranch’s 3rd Annual Production Sale Crossville, TN 35

SEPT 24 Maplecrest Farms Female Production Sale Hillsboro, OH 4

SEPT 24 Boyd Beef Cattle Female Sale Mays Lick, KY 13

SEPT 24 Absolute Auction Standford, KY 49

SEPT 24-25 KJCA Fall Classic Lexington, KY

OCT 8 Pleasant Hill Farm Rockfield, KY 3

OCT 8 Isaacs Angus Legends of Fall Sale Horse Cave, KY 4

OCT 8 SOKY Select Gelbvieh Sale Bowling Green, KY 39

OCT 8 Oliver Angus 8th Annual Bull & Female Sale West Point, GA 41

OCT 14 Oakdale Farms Female Production Sale Rome, GA 71

OCT 15 Kentucky's Finest Fall Black Hereford Consignmen Sale Nancy, KY 38

OCT 15 Town Creek Farm Sale West Point, MS 11

OCT 15 Extra Effort Sale Clayton, NC 31

OCT 15

Seedstock Plus Fall Bull and Female Sale Carthage, MO 33

OCT 21 Myers & Tamme Valley Production Sale Harrodsburg, KY

OCT 22

Debter Hereford Farm Production Bull Sale Horton, AL 37

DATE EVENT

SALERS

THE BALANCED BREED

LOCATION AD

OCT 22 Lynn Creek Farm Best of the Blue grass Winchester, KY 47

OCT 23 Heritage Farm Production Sale Shelbyville, KY

OCT 24 Oak Hollow Angus Fall Bull Sale Smiths Grove, KY 5

OCT 24 Stone Gate Farms Flemingsburg, KY 9

OCT 28 Gateway Regional Bred Heifer Sale Mt. Sterling, KY 34

OCT 28 Yon Family Farms Female Sale Ridge Spring, SC

OCT 29

Red Hill Farms Bulls & Females of Fall VIII Lafayette, TN

OCT 29 Herd Builder Bred Heifer Sale Maysville, KY

OCT 29 Yon Family Farms Fall Bull Sale Ridge Spring, SC

OCT 30 Four Sons Cynthiana, KY

OCT 30

Cattlemen’s Preferred Sale All Breeds Bull & Commercial Female Sale Harrison, AR

NOV 1-17 North American International Live stock Exposition Louisville, KY

NOV 5 Seedstock Plus Red Reward ‘Fall Edition’ Bull & Female Sale Osceola, MO 33

NOV 5 TJB Gelbveih Annual Sale Chickamauga, GA

NOV 7 Elite Bred Heifer Sale Paris, KY 58

NOV 19 West Kentucky Select Bred Heifer Sale Guthrie, KY 7

NOV 28 Boyd Myers Genetic Influence Sale Lexington, KY

DEC 1 KY Hereford Influence Sale Stanford, KY 8

DEC 2 Knoll Crest Farm’s Total Performace Bull Sale Red House, VA

DEC 3 KY Hereford Association Sale Lexington, KY

DEC 5 Profit Thru Performance Sale Lexington, KY

JAN 5-6 KCA Convention Lexington, KY 40

FEB 1-3 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show New Orleans, LA

FEB 18

APRIL 8

Yon Family Farms Spring Sale Ridge Spring, SC

Knoll Crest Farm’s Spring Bull & Female Sale Red House, VA

DIAMOND J SALERS

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

WILLIS FARMS

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

DEL-SU FARM

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

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

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

FOUNDATION SALE VIII

September 17, 2022, 1 PM CST

United Producers Facility, Bowling Green, KY Selling FULLBLOOD & PUREBRED LIMOUSIN Genetics • To consign or for catalog call: A C H Holdings, LLC Stephen Haynes 270-799-8685

RED ANGUS FOR SALE

Bulls: Yearlings and 2-year-olds. Open Heifers. Show Heifer Prospects. Contact: Johnnie Cundiff 606-305-6443 or 606-871-7438

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

RED ANGUS, SIMANGUS, CHAROLAIS, ANGUS FOR SALE

Red Hill Farms, Lafayette, TN, 615-666-3098 Bart, Sarah and Ty Jones Gordon and Susan Jones, 270-991-2663

Visit us online - www.RedHillFarms.net

Contact us for cattle and semen availability.

Annual Production Sales:

More Than a Bull Sale – 3rd Saturday in March

Maternal Monday – 3rd Monday in May

Bulls & Females of Fall Sale – Last Saturday in October

REGISTERED

RED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

FOUR WINDS FARM N ew Castle, Kentucky (502) 296-1044

Meyer 4518-3516-4516 silage wagons 1402/03 Horning Rotary Headers

Meyer twin screw - on IH truck-$137,000 4120-Lancaster hammermills- ready to go 4218-22 Esch hay tedders- in stock

John Deere 6400-12 speed loader- 4wd WLS 50- $17,000 wet lime spreader Stoltzfus -LIME -LITTER- FERTILIZER

Spreader John Deere 4020 -3 to choose from Manure spreaders- 8 in-stock John Deere 7200- cab -16 speed 5612 Esch High speed Grain Drill John Deere 3975 - base unit- $30,000 Artex SB 600 Spreader -in stock John Deere 468 - net $16,500 John Deere 566- twine $12,000

Meyer 510 TMR mixers - In STOCK Cloverdale 420-500 T -TMR mixers - in Stock Stoltzfus 10 ton Litter spreader $$$$ New Holland 790 choppers-$8500 Gehl 8335 feeder wagon $7500 Artex SB 200- vertical beater- for rental Farmco feeder wagons-5 in stock-call John Deere 6300- 4 wd- cab-12 speed-$35,000 WWW.REDBARNANDASSOCIATES.COM Charlie B. Edgington - 859-608-9745

BLACK SIMMENTAL/SIMANGUS BULLS

Homo Black, Homo Polled. Very nice EPD’s. Cost Share eligible. Registered, 1 year old. $1800-$2000. Ervin Yoder, 859-582-5301

SWEET T FARM HEREFORD HEIFERS

Open, Registered Hereford Heifers calved September 2021 available. See videos on our website at sweettfarm.com. Pete Szak (859) 684-1509

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

Selecting for Growth: Benefits and Consequences

Darrh Bullock Extension Professor, University of Kentucky

As I write this it is a somber time in Kentucky that seems to be occurring too often. One day we are concerned about the drought and the economic impact it can have on beef producers and the next day we are reeling from the devastation of a flood: unbelievable! My heart goes out to all of the flood victims, and western Kentucky, we haven’t forgotten you either. Life marches on and so must we.

Genetic trends in all major beef breeds show a dramatic increase in growth rate and many breeds have also shown gains in milking ability as well. These factors can have a significant impact on the weight of calves sold, but does it lead to increased total herd production and more importantly increased profit? With advancements in the accuracy of genetic selection tools it is important that we make selection decisions that consider all aspects of profitability.

Total production is a function of average calf weight times number of calves sold, so it is critical to know what the relationship between calf weight and number of calves sold is. If that relationship is positive, then all is good, as you increase weight you simultaneously increase the number of calves sold and total production obviously goes up. However, if that relationship is negative then we must make sure that an incremental increase in calf weight, through improved genetics for growth and/or milk, does not lead to a decrease in the number of calves sold to the point that total production, and likely profit, is reduced.

Although production often gets the lion’s share of attention, profitability should be the driving factor of all selection decisions. However, like I have to remind my students often; income does not equal profitability! Profitability is a product of both income and costs. Income and production are closely related and have a strong positive correlation; at a fixed price, more pounds of calf sold results in more income. Unfortunately, the relationship between production and costs is usually unfavorable; higher levels of production typically come at greater costs. This is still a workable situation if we can maintain a positive return-oninvestment. In other words, for every dollar spent we must ensure that our return is greater than a dollar. Ultimately, a selection index is the best tool to make selection decisions based on economics with all traits and their interactions considered.

Total pounds of production in the beef herd is

driven by the genetics the calves have for growth and survivability, the genetics their mothers have for milking ability and reproduction, the management (nutritional/health/reproduction) they are exposed to, the environment we place them in and interactions between all of these.

The total production system is extremely complex and not well understood so we will break down some of the important relationships and their impact on production.

It is well documented that selecting bulls with higher genetic potential (Expected Progeny Differences; EPD) for weaning weight, yearling weigh or carcass weight will increase the growth rate to those marketing endpoints. It is also known that these traits are all positively correlated with each other meaning that as we select for higher (or lower) genetics for one trait we expect the other traits to respond in the same way. What this means to beef producers is that you can select bulls for high growth EPD, and the resulting calf crop should have increased growth rates at all phases of production. Up to this point, this is all good news; however, there are other correlated traits that need to be considered.

Growth at earlier ages, weaning and postweaning has a negative genetic correlation with milking ability and a positive genetic correlation with mature cow size. Both relationships have points to be considered. The negative genetic correlation between growth and milk means that as selection is made on a population for increased growth there is an overall reduction in the level of maternal weaning weight (or milk) in replacement females. Depending on the management/environment that these females will be placed in determines whether this is an advantageous or disadvantageous relationship. The positive relationship between early growth and mature cow size is to be expected, as selection is made for higher growth, the resulting replacement daughters tend to be larger. So, if replacement daughters are kept from these matings and considering the total production of the farm, the initial impression is that this is an advantageous relationship because pounds of cull cows marketed would be increased. Where it could have a negative impact is if the larger cows are not provided with greater resources, then reproduction could be negatively impacted, resulting in fewer calves to market and potentially decreased total production.

Another trait that impacts growth and thus production is the milking ability of the mother. As the genetics for milking ability increases in

the cow herd the weaning weight of their calves increases and it has been reported that a positive genetic correlation between milking ability and some reproduction traits exists. From this perspective milk should have a positive impact on production, however, like with mature size, if nutritional resources are not increased to meet this increased output by the cows, then the result could be decreased reproductive capabilities and reduced total production.

As stated in the previous section, but worth mentioning again, is that increasing the genetics for production in the herd in the form of increased growth rate of the calves (and replacement daughters are retained) and milking ability of the cows comes with the obligation of increasing nutritional resources to meet increases in maintenance and production requirements of the cow. Another way to look at it is to consider that if you have a fixed level of nutrition (your land and its forages) and you want to increase herd production with increased growth rate and milking ability, then herd size would have to be decreased or supplementation increased to maintain the same level of reproduction. If we are not concerned about the economics of our actions, we must conclude that we can increase total herd performance by selecting for maximum growth and milking ability, and supply adequate nutritional resources to maintain high reproductive rates, regardless of the cost (Please do not interpret that this is what I am recommending). However, if we are profit conscious then we must search for the right balance of these traits and our available resources.

Total herd production is an important aspect of any beef operation, but we need to keep everything in perspective. Growth in the form of direct genetics for gain and the milking ability of the cow herd are important factors in herd productivity and the income portion of profitability, but they are certainly not the whole picture. Increased productivity that results from heavy mature cows and/or extreme milking cows, without providing adequate nutrition will likely result in reduced reproduction and potential loss of profitability. Additionally, if the cows exceed their ability to meet their nutritional needs through low-cost foraging, then higher cost supplementation may be required or reductions in reproduction will likely occur, likely wiping out potential profits. Be smart, fit the level of production of your herd to the low-cost resource that you have in your forages.

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

• Bulls should have been removed from the cow herd by now! They should be pastured away from the cow herd with a good fence and allowed to regain lost weight and condition. It is a good time to evaluate physical condition, especially feet and legs. Bulls can be given medical attention and still have plenty of time to recover, e.g., corns, abscesses, split hooves, etc. Don’t keep trying to get open spring cows bred – move them to fall calving or sell them when they wean this year’s calf. If you don’t have a bull pen and want to tighten up the calving season, remove the bull and sell him. Plan on purchasing a new bull next spring.

• Repair and improve corrals for fall working and weaning. Consider having an area to wean calves and retain owner ship for postweaning feeding rather than selling “green”, lightweight calves. Plan to participate in CPH-45 feeder calf sales in your area.

• Limited creep feeding can prepare calves for the weaning process since they can become accustomed to eating dry feed. This will especially benefit those calves which you are going to keep for a short postweaning period – like the CPH-45 program. It’s time to start planning the marketing of this year’s calf crop.

• Begin evaluating heifer calves for herd replacements – or culling. Each time you put them through the chute you can evaluate them for several traits, especially disposition. Consider keeping the older, heavier heifers. They will reach puberty before the onset of the breeding season and have higher conception rates.

• This has generally been a reasonably good year for pastures, but many parts of the state are starting to get a bit dry. Evaluate moisture condition and consider stockpiling some fescue pastures. It’s not too late to apply nitrogen for stock piling fescue if moisture conditions have improved.

• Stresses associated with weaning can be minimized by spreading-out other activities commonly associated with weaning – like vaccinations, deworming and, perhaps, castration and dehorning (which should have already been done!). Therefore, this month is a good time to do a “pre weaning” working of cows and calves.

• When planning the preweaning working, consult with your veterinarian for advice on animal health products and pro cedures. One procedure that can be done now is pregnancy checking cows. Early pregnancy diagnosis will allow time to make culling decisions prior to weaning time. Feeding non-productive cows through the winter is a costly venture so pregnancy diagnosis is one of the more sound business decisions a producer can make.

Fall-Calving Cow Herd

• Fall-calving should start this month. Get your eartags ready. Cows should be moved to a clean, accessible pasture and be watched closely. Tag calves soon after they are born and record dam ID and calf birthdate, etc. Castration is less stressful when performed on young animals and calves which are intended for feeders can be implanted now, too.

• If you haven’t started calving quite yet, then it’s time to get ready. Be sure you have the following:

• record book or sign up for X10D (@ X10D.org or app store). X10D is a mobile app designed to make record keeping simple and convenient.

• eartags for identification

• iodine solution for newborn calf’s navel

• calf puller

• castration equipment

• Watch for those calves which may come early and be prepared to care for them.

• Be on guard for predators – especially black vultures.

• Move cows to best quality fall pasture after calving. Stockpiled fescue should be available to these cows in No vember-December to meet their nutritional needs for milking and rebreeding.

• Start planning now for the breeding season. If using AI, order supplies, plan matings and order semen now

Stockers

• Calves to be backgrounded through the winter can be purchased soon. A good source is Kentucky preconditioned (CPH-45) calves which are immunized and have been preweaned and “boostered”.

• Plan your receiving program. Weanling calves undergo a great deal of stress associated with weaning, hauling, mar keting, and wide fluctuations in environmental temperature at this time of year. Plan a program which avoids stale cattle, get calves consuming water and high quality feed rapidly. Guard against respiratory diseases and other health problems

General

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

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

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

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

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Plan the winter feeding program. Take forage samples of hay you will feed this winter. Request protein and TDN analysis so that supplemental feed needs may be estimated. Don’t wait until you run out of feed in February to purchase extra feed. Plan to minimize hay storage and feeding losses because feed is too expensive to waste.

• If you have adequate moisture, stockpiling fescue might be a viable option. Nitrogen application to fescue pastures can be made now and allow them to grow and accumulate until November, or when other sources of grazing have been used up. To make best use of this pasture, put fall-calvers, thin spring-calvers, or stockers on this pasture and strip graze.

• Don’t graze sorghum or sudan pastures between the first frost and a definite killing frost because of the danger of prussic acid poisoning. Johnsongrass in stalk fields can also be a problem after a light frost. Grazing can resume after the sorghum-type grasses have undergone a killing frost and dried up.