KDA beef marketing specialist Tim Dietrich discusses grading feeder cattle at the Estill County Extension office.With lower cattle market prices, many producers are looking for ways to capture any premium for their calves. Along with more efficient production information, cattle producers inquire about marketing strategies and how their calves are graded using the USDA feeder calf grading system. In response, the Estill County Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources collaborated with the Estill County Cattlemen’s Association and Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) to have a meeting on USDA feeder cattle grading. KDA beef marketing specialist presented the program on September 24, 2018. The program taught producers what to look for in their market animals prior to them entering the sale ring and how to adjust management practices to improve the quality and marketability of their feeder calves. Twenty-five producers attended the meeting and completed a post-meeting survey. Survey results indicate one-hundred percent agreed they increased their knowledge about the USDA grading of feeder cattle. Eighty-four percent agreed the knowledge gained will help them grade their calves and understand their market value. All twenty-five respondents agreed that the condition and genetics of their cattle plays a role in the USDA grade and selling price. Some survey comments include “excellent meeting, very informative, and enjoyed the meeting”.