In 2021, the USDA estimated that there were 6,100 head of cattle and calves in Carroll County, and in 2017, sales of cattle and calves from Carroll County were valued at $2,379,000, constituting 41% of total agricultural sales in the county.   Needless to say, the cattle industry is a cornerstone of agricultural production of Carroll County, and the Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association is an important group within the community for promoting beef production.

The Carroll County Cattlemen had their first meeting since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2022, when 24 attendees welcomed Dr. Steve Higgins from the University of Kentucky to discuss best management practices and efficient design of farm facilities.   I also presented about using drones on the farm, advertising for the new drone services being offered by the Extension Office.  This first meeting, which included a brisket dinner, was a huge success, and two members invited Dr. Higgins to return to Carroll County to visit their farms and consult on the layout of their own operations.  Our second meeting was held in April, when the Cattlemen hosted Dr. Kenny Burdine to discuss the current state of cattle markets and their outlooks for the future.  24 attendees were present for this meeting, hopefully indicating that the success of the first meeting was not a fluke.

In addition to the Cattlemen’s Association, the County Agriculture Investment Program (CAIP) is also an important institution supporting cattle producers and producers of other crops in Carroll County.   In collaboration with the Conservation District of Carroll County, the Extension Service hosted three meetings to help producers apply for CAIP funds.  The first was an orientation meeting for interested producers, the second an update on managing farm finances, and the third a Beef Quality Care Assurance (BQCA) training for producers whose certification might have expired.  Cumulative attendance at those three events was 55, and being that CAIP funds have gone unused in recent years, we are hopeful that those attendance rates are an indication of increased application for and use of CAIP funds.  The Carroll County Extension Service is happy to support the cattle producers in our community and to meet the outreach goals that are at the heart of cooperative extension!  We hope that these efforts are the first step in continued support and promotion of our cattle producers.