Kentucky is home to over one-million beef cows and around 34,000 cow-calf operations. While cow-calf operations are easily the most common agricultural enterprise in the state, they have historically been very profit-challenged. During 2019, faculty in the department of Agricultural Economics began developing a program intended to improve the profitability of cow-calf operations across KY. The concept was for a set of regional full-day programs aimed at serious, profit driven cow-calf operators that would focus on multiple strategies to improve their bottom lines. Funding for the program was provided by the Agricultural Development Fund through the Kentucky Beef Network and delivery of the program began during the winter of 2019/ 2020. A total of 10 programs were scheduled, but 5 were canceled in mid-March due to COVID-19. Topics included budgeting and key profit drivers, managing hay production costs, understanding breeding stock depreciation, improved winter feeding practices, keys to cowherd management, and profitable stocking rates.

The 5 regional cow-calf profitability conferences that were able to be held were an amazing success. Participation exceeded our expectations as a total 319 producers attended the 7 hour programs held in London, Grand Rivers, Madisonville, Morehead, and Shelbyville. Every topic received high evaluation scores with the overall conference being rated 4.75 out of 5.0, on average. Evaluation comments were also extremely positive with attendees commenting on how informative the program was, how they liked the practical scenarios, that every producer should attend, and that they appreciated the fact that we came to their region of the state to offer the program. 

Our favorite comment – “Would definitely attend again. Worth burning a vacation day!” (Shelbyville session attendee).