The Beef Cattle Industry in Kentucky is dynamic and multifaceted. Individual producer’s enterprises differ greatly in size and scope, with individual farm goals being just as diverse. Kentucky has long been labeled a cow calf state and still maintains the largest cow population east of the Mississippi River. Management of the cattle and the forages they consume along with an influx of technology makes for an ever changing industry with endless learning opportunities.

         The Green River Area Extension Agricultural Agents understand the importance of beef cattle in the local agricultural economy and strive to provide educational opportunities for producers to further their management skills in order to stay viable and improve profitability in their respective enterprises.  The Green River Agents hosted a 10 session educational series labeled “Master Cattleman” that embraced topics from all aspects of cattle production.  Participants learned about genetics, handling, facility design, marketing and forage management concluded by a hands on Beef Quality Assurance Demonstration where each person became BQCA certified. This certification allows producers to market their cattle thru value-added markets around the state with higher returns.

         20 area beef producers participated, with nine producers from Ohio County. Many noted that the experience has and will continue to pay dividends for their personal enterprise for years to come and feel more prepared to compete in a challenging and volatile marketplace in the future.  In conversations with two of the participants from Ohio County, “I plan have more grass on the farm now, than I have ever seen on this hill”, and “I plan to improve my hay quality, by getting my hay up in a more timely manner”.

         A more extensive survey of producers is being planned for the fall of 2021.