Profitability in a small cow/calf operation can be very difficult. According to a recent fact sheet from the University of Kentucky Ag Economics department the estimated gross return per cow in 2022 is less than $200 and that doesn’t include Depreciation or Interest on Equipment/Facilities, Land, or Labor. Smaller producers with under 50 cows would have a hard time making a living off beef cattle at that projection.

With the help and guidance of Breathitt County ANR Agent Reed Graham one producer sought to do something different. Bring a freezer beef operation to Breathitt County and sell meat at the farmer’s market. The producer and agent had an initial meeting setting goals, expectations, and forming a plan for properly finishing cattle.

A list of things to make the program successful were: forage testing, UK Beef IRM mineral, ration balancing, extension classes on properly finishing beef cattle, and properly selling beef at a farmer’s market. 

The producer took all those recommendations and started the new enterprise. 

Within the first group of calves the producer realized this would offer great potential for them. Profitability on each calf was over $500. Once established they looked into incorporating selling at the farmer’s market, which grew their business by an additional 15%. They are now taking the majority of the calves born on their operation all the way to slaughter. They haul them to a local meat processor and sell the beef directly to individuals in our community, neighboring communities, and neighboring states.  Their success has been amazing and it all started with a little help and guidance from the local county extension office.