Shelby County, like many other formerly tobacco-dependent counties, has seen an emphasis on quality beef production since the tobacco buyout. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Shelby County has nearly $15 million in beef animal sales yearly, emphasizing the need for beef producers to take herd management and breeding decisions seriously. Similar situations exist in neighboring Henry and Oldham counties, leading the agents to host the 2017 Master Cattlemen’s Series. 

The Master Cattlemen’s Series is a ten week beef education series covering genetics, nutrition, management, facilities, marketing, forages, health, reproduction, environment, and end product. All sessions were taught by UK Specialists, and facilitated by the agricultural extension agents of Henry, Oldham, and Shelby Counties. To complete the series, participants were required to attend at least 8 of the 10 sessions, and obtain a Beef Quality Assurance certificate. 

Thirty-one individuals participated in the course. Of those individuals, ten participants were female and eleven were young farmers. Twenty-six individuals successfully completed the requirements to pass the Master Cattlemen’s Class, receiving personalized metal farm signs stating they are a “KY Master Cattleman”. 

Despite the commitment required and the intensity of the course, participants indicated that this class has given them the information to make better management decisions, which several participants had implemented even before completion of the course. One individual stated, “This is the best class I have taken!”