Beef cattle continues to be one of the leading agricultural commodities in Mercer County and a large percentage of producers background cattle.  ANR agents in Mercer, Boyle, Lincoln and Garrard counties team up each year to offer a educational program around this segment of the industry each year.  74 producers attended the meeting this year and they were surveyed on how attending these meetings have impacted their operations.  Over 80% of producers attending the meeting indicated they had gained knowledge as a result of attending.  One producer reported attending the meetings had increased his profitability by 20%.  Other producers indicated their profitability had been improved as a result of better health management decisions, improved feeding practices, and decreased cost of gain among other things.