Profitability in a small cow/calf operation can be very difficult. According to a recent fact sheet from the University of Kentucky Ag Economics department the estimated gross return per cow in 2021 is $168 and that doesn’t include Depreciation or Interest on Equipment/Facilities, Land, or Labor. Smaller producers with under 50 cows would have a hard time making a living off beef cattle at that projection.

With the help and guidance of Breathitt County ANR Agent Reed Graham one producer sought to do something different. Bring a freezer beef operation to Breathitt County. The producer and agent had an initial meeting setting goals, expectations, and forming a plan for finishing calves.

A list of things to make the program successful were: forage testing, UK Beef IRM mineral, ration balancing, and extension classes on properly finishing beef cattle. 

The producer took all those recommendations and started the new enterprise. 

Within the first group of calves the producer realized this would offer great potential for them. Profitability on each calf was over $500. They are now taking the majority of the calves born on their operation all the way to slaughter. They haul them to a local meat processor and sell the beef directly to individuals in our community and neighboring states.  Their success has been amazing and it all started with some help and guidance from the local county extension office.