The Mercer County Agriculture Advisory Council continues to place a high priority on beef programming and work that helps producers incorporate best management practices to improve profitability.  According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, of the 1108 farms in Mercer County 619 have cattle.  In addition, almost 75% of farm income is from livestock sales.  Due to economic importance of cattle production in this area a number of educational programs were held throughout the year to highlight production practices that help producers increase profit.  At the annual agricultural field day, speakers focused on practices to maximize forage productivity, efficient cattle facilities and incorporate winter feeding areas.  Work also continued with Dr. Les Anderson and 2 additional farms are now participating in the Beef IRM program to improve reproductive efficiencies in their cow herds.  The Mercer County ANR agent collaborated to offer three educational programs with speakers focusing on strategies to maximize profit potential in the marketplace, improve forage quality and availability and improve hay feeding.  Mercer County extension was also part of the planning for the Kentucky Beef Conference which provides our producers the best information available related to cattle marketing and planning.  These efforts have the potential to make a positive impact on net farm income in the 2019 and 2020 marketing seasons.