In order to prepare producers to be efficient and profitable, Central Kentucky County Extension Agents for Agriculture & Natural Resources have collaborated with Beef and Agricultural Economic Extension Specialists to present the Kentucky Beef Conference annually for almost 25 years. The assistance of long time business community sponsors has allowed producers to hear from nationally known experts in cattle marketing. 

The past couple of years utilizing Zoom proved to be a successful tool to continue providing timely marketing and production information with this conference. In the past, the conference has covered a range of production topics but the key focus has always been on marketing strategies and long term outlook. This year we decided to move to a hybrid format to accommodate the desire to have an in person program but continue reaching people across the state.

The farm operations of producers attending vary in size, with most (76%) of the producers having less than 75 cows. Of those producers who have attended past conferences, 79% reported increased profits and improved risk management practices as a result of attending. This conference continues to reach new attendees each year while continue to serve needs of long time attendees. Several producers indicated they now plan to monitor cattle health and pests more closely, adapt marketing strategies and alter culling strategies.