In order to help producers be efficient and profitable in turbulent markets due to COVID, Central Kentucky County Extension Agents for Agriculture & Natural Resources collaborated with UK Beef and Agricultural Economic Extension Specialists to present the Kentucky Beef Conference on October 19th 2020. This has been an on-going, annual program for over 20 years. The financial assistance of many long time agri-business and community sponsors has allowed producers to hear from nationally known experts in cattle marketing with little to no cost. 

COVID-19 restrictions forced the team to re-evaluate how to continue providing timely marketing and production information. In the past, the conference has covered a range of production topics in-person but the key focus has always been on marketing strategies and long term outlook. In 2020, the conference was changed to a shortened and virtual format that took place in the evening. Focused on marketing strategies, marketing outlook and management considerations, this year’s conference reached more than 175 beef producers from across the Central KY region and around the state.

The farm operations of producers attending varied in size, with most (78%) of the producers having less than 75 cows. Of those producers who have attended past conferences, 77% reported increased profits and 73% reported improved risk management practices as a result of attending. Moving this conference to a virtual format helped reach a much broader geographic range with producers attending from more than 32 counties and of those attending 36% were first time attendees. Five first time attendees participated from Madison County using the Zoom virtual format.

 Several producers indicated they now plan to change when they are going to sell cattle, increase culling in their herd and improve record keeping to improve profit potential.