Simpson County Beef producers expressed a desire to see the University of Kentucky Meat Science Lab and to tour the Eden Shale Farm in Owenton, KY.  The meats lab tour provided insight that was beneficial for all beef producers and especially helpful to those that produce direct-to-consumer beef products.  The Eden Shale Farm featured many practices from the University of Kentucky and Kentucky Beef network that are extremely practical for producers to utilize on their own farm.  All of these practices will increase efficiency while also focusing on environmental stewardship and best management practices.

The University of Kentucky partnered with the Simpson County Cattlemen’s Association to organize and implement this tour.  Simpson County had six producers to attend the tour.  All of them reported that it was very beneficial and they increased their knowledge about efficient beef systems as a result.  A few of the participants made the following comments:   “This tour was exceptional.  I learned some things at the Eden Shale Farm that I plan to implement on my farm”, “I really like the tire waterers at Eden Shale.   I am going to have to install a couple of those on my farm”, and “I want to install fence line feeders.  This helped me with design ideas and learn how best to reduce mud in those areas”.