Spurred by food shortages during the Covid 19 pandemic, local meat demand has remained strong in Kentucky.  This demand continues to raise farmer interest in finishing animals for processing.  Building on the success of prior offerings in the Louisville Area, the four-part series 'Raising the Steaks' was offered by Todd, Christian, and Logan County Extension Services.

Thirty-three participants attended one or more sessions and learned about: Facilities & Finishing Nutrition; Beef Sales, Economics, & Marketing; Local Farmers’ Experiences; and Grading & Processing.

Resources for Raising the Steaks included extension agents and specialists, local farmers, and a local processing facility.   Along with farmers from Christian and Logan, a Todd County farmer who finishes and sells beef shared his experience with program participants.  Additionally, participants had the opportunity to blind taste-test grain finished vs. forage finished beef and learn about cooking techniques for different cuts of meat.

Producers completed surveys following each session, utilizing QR codes to access survey.  Responses showed that:

• 92% planned to improve or create a nutrition plan
• 100% planned to use presented information to improve facilities
• 54% planned to make improvements to watering systems
• 100% planned to use economic information learned to analyze their bottom lines
• 30% intended to finish out some animals following the program

 A follow-up discussion of waterers with the group showed that:

• 30% of participants clean their automatic waterers periodically
• One producer tested his automatic waterer refill rate and discovered the flow was too low to sufficiently water his herd

Beef programs will continue in 2026 with the Master Cattleman program being offered for Pennyrile Area farmers.