Success StoryCow Calf Profitability Conf.



Cow Calf Profitability Conf.

Author: Nicole Rhein

Planning Unit: Marshall County CES

Major Program: Beef

Plan of Work: Commercial Agriculture- Education, promotion, and awareness.

Outcome: Initial Outcome

According to the 2017 Ag Census, over 38,000 farms in Kentucky have beef cattle and over 64,000 head in the western counties of Caldwell, Calloway, Crittenden, Carlisle, Livingston, Lyon, and Marshall Counties. Cattle producers have experienced market volatility the past few years. The KY Department of Agriculture's Livestock and Grain Market Report shows 2019 prices below the five year average in many cattle categories. To address this volatility and showcase ways to improve profitability, specialists from UK Ag Extension Economics developed a program titled "Cow/ Calf Profitability Conference." Agents from Caldwell, Calloway, Crittenden, Carlisle, Livingston, Lyon, and Marshall Counties joined together to host a session of this conference on January 8, 2020 at the Grand Rivers Community Center.

The session had over 50 attendees, who managed a combined total of 3,200 head of cows. The conference highlighted a variety of management options for cattle production including managing overhead costs for hay production, breeding stock depreciation, tax strategies and profitable stocking rates. Comments from participants included many thanks for the valuable knowledge and that it was held at a convenient location for them. One participant wrote on the evaluation, “This was a very timely conference for me. I am working to reduce expenses at this time. Thanks for your information.” The overall conference quality was rated an average of 4.73 out of five and all sessions rated at or above four out of five on the evaluations.







Stories by Nicole Rhein


Livestock Safety at Youth Safety Day

Livestock Safety at Youth Safety Day

about 1 months ago by Nicole Rhein

There are approximately 13, 600 head of cattle in Marshall County (USDA National Agriculture Statist... Read More


Equine Education Event

about 1 months ago by Nicole Rhein

Most people have heard of the term horse foundering. Few know that the proper term for this is lamin... Read More


Stories by Marshall County CES


Livestock Safety at Youth Safety Day

Livestock Safety at Youth Safety Day

about 1 months ago by Nicole Rhein

There are approximately 13, 600 head of cattle in Marshall County (USDA National Agriculture Statist... Read More


Extension Homemakers Honor Local Veterans

about 1 months ago by Vicki Wynn

Marshall County Extension Homemakers have a special place in their hearts for men and women who curr... Read More