Small beef operations throughout Kentucky have always been challenged to be profitable on a consistent basis. Most take what they can get by selling only at livestock auctions. The takes little effort on the producers part, but generally does not lead to good profits. For the past three to four years, several members of the Edmonson County Cattlemen's Association have been exploring entering new markets for their beef cattle. During the recent pandemic grocery shortages, this exploration turned into a factual reality for four of those producers. The Edmonson County ANR Agent had been supplying them with information for awhile, and when they approached him with their individual plans to look over, he helped three of them tweak their plans to make them better. 

Three of the four producer now sell their beef direct to the consumer. One is selling processed freezer beef, the other two are selling on the hoof and hauling for the customer to the processing facility, from where the customer is responsible for pick up. The fourth producer has faced some unique challenges, but is still planning to sell direct. 

Each of the three producers has seen profit increases of more than 100% over just selling at livestock auctions.