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John Deere 6R Visit JohnDeere.com/6R or contact your John Deere dealer to learn more. 2 • Cow Country • February
EARLY
MARCH MADNESS BULL AND HEIFER SALE
United Producers Inc. Livestock Center One mile off I-65 at Exit 28 in Bowling Green, Kentucky
February 26, 2022 • 12:30pm cst PHF ROLL CALL 1064
PHF RAINDANCE 1052
PHF COWBOY UP 0121
ANGUS REG #20205714 LD CAPITALIST 316 x MUSGRAVE BLACKBIRD 73-831
ANGUS REG #20077635 HA COWBOY UP 5405 x PHF CEC GEORGINA 500
PHFC/TSSC MR. COPACETIC 0497H
PHC COPACETIC 0405H
SIMMENTAL REG #3973620 WLE COPACETIC E02 x CLRWTR BARBARA C411C
SIMMENTAL REG #3921410 WLE COPACETIC E02 x HPF/B&K/AF ALLEY 355C
ANGUS REG #20144436 SAV RAINDANCE 6848 x CHAMPION HILL EMBLYNETTE 8502 PHFC/LLCC STAR H024
SIMMENTAL REG # 3878612 MR CCF C101 x LLCC BLAZE C529
SELLING 80 ANGUS, SIMANGUS & SIMMENTAL BULLS
A tremendous set of bulls sired by industry leading sires will sell. DNA and ultrasound information available on all bulls. All bulls will have passed a breeding soundness evaluation and sell with the Pleasant Hill Farms guarantee.
AN ELITE SET OF COMMERCIAL HEIFERS ALSO SELL, including 50 black and black baldy, ready to breed commercial heifers and 40 bred heifers due to calve in March.
PLEASE CONTACT PHF FOR A SALE BOOK. IF UNABLE TO ATTEND, THE SALE WILL BE BROADCAST IN REAL-TIME AT: Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 508 Richpond Rockfield Road Rockfield, Kentucky 42274 Gil Cowles (270) 843-9021 or (270) 791-3526 cell Email: pleasanthillfarms@twc.com Corbin Cowles (270) 991-2534 Harvey Mast (270) 791-6873
For LiveAuctions.tv information: Brooklyn Graham (812) 530-0748 brooklyn@liveauctions.tv
OAK HOLLOW
PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS CATTLE THINKING FOR THE LONG TERM I have been back on the farm for 8 years now. In that time, I have taken a full ride on the cattle cycle. I came out of school and into a record cattle market where anything with four legs was bringing $1,000. We quickly rode that roller coaster to the bottom way faster than any of us ever expected. During that down market, we were blessed in our part of the world with consistent above average rainfall that helped us improve pastures and rotational grazing systems. Neighboring properties came available during the last 8 years that cheap interest rates made viable to add to our operation and increase grazing capacity. We have been cautious but very calculated in our decision making and are very happy with where we are as we approach this part of the cattle cycle. Not everyone was as lucky. The nation’s cow herd had to liquidate numbers to get to where we are today. A lot of operators got caught upside down on a turn of feeder calves on their line of credit. There are a lot of people that financed a set of high cost commercial bred heifers that certainly took off farm income to pay for. Recently, packing plant disruptions, a global pandemic and supply chain issues have caused a few hiccups on that long march up as well. Seeing fat cattle over $1.30 and feeder cattle over $1.60 makes it easy to get excited in the cow-calf sector because we see we finally have some leverage. At least in the southeast, land that ran cattle is gone and never coming back. There are a lot of operators that left and are never coming back as well. It is going to cost more to run cattle than it did in 2014, but those smart enough to think differently are going to be able to capitalize no matter the input cost or cattle price. Since we think it is going to last forever, a healthy cattle market is when the most mistakes are made. Mistakes are not just made when it comes to how the little bit of extra money is spent. Often times, it is the first time it has been financially practical to replace that old truck, put up a new fence or take a nice week away from the farm after you sell your calves. I understand this, and there’s a reason my truck is a 2014. Some of the biggest mistakes that are made are when it comes to the cattle themselves. When nearly all cattle are generating a profit, it is easy to forget the fundamentals. I have lost count of how many times I have written that the cattle market is a commodity market. Producers are price takers, and long run profits are equal to zero. American agriculture is fantastically skilled at over producing. When we see positive margins, we will quickly turn them into negative margins. It will take a little time, but we will again expand the cow herd and create an oversupply for the feed lots and packing plants downstream from us. Now is the time to prepare for that.
more money capitalizing on opportunity than you ever will raising cattle. The next thing would be to make smart investments that save you on input costs. Feed was cheap and labor was available the last time around. It will not be this time. This would be investments in rotational grazing systems, building a commodity bay in an existing barn that allows you to purchase and hold feed at seasonal lows or some cattle handling facilities that allow one person to move a group of cattle. Lastly, now is the time to invest in your genetics. My father tells the story all the time that his first bull cost 50% of his annual salary, and his second bull was 100% of his annual salary. I am quick to jokingly remind him that he was working for his father and that doesn’t pay well, so that’s not saying much about the bulls. If you can’t justify a significant investment in genetics when things are good financially then when will you? The tools we have for genetic selection are far more advanced than they were 7 years ago. We are able to predict with greater accuracy the structure and fertility of replacement heifers than ever before. We are able to quantify the profit of weaned calves from one bull versus another with tremendous accuracy. The AVERAGE bull in our spring sale is in the top 10% of the breed for profit and generates over $15/head greater profit than breed average. The top bulls in the sale are in the top 1% of the breed and generate over $30/head greater profit on a weaned calf than breed average. We have herd sires on the farm generating over $50 and up to $75 greater profit per calf than the average of the breed. In down years these differences between our bulls and the average angus bull is the difference between making and losing money on a calf crop. The average bull in our sale does all this with heifer acceptable calving ease, breed average growth, proven carcass quality and elite maternal function. The top bulls do it all even better. Not making an investment that will pay off down the road is sacrificing the security of your future for the comfort of your present. My father says the best thing he ever did was making the investment in the original cow herd and in those bulls. We wouldn’t’ have the cow herd we have today if he didn’t. I have never regretted buying a piece of land, putting up a fence in the right spot or buying the right piece of the genetic puzzle. One thing to remember as we enjoy this time in the sun and produce ourselves into the next bear market is this: In a down commodity market you don’t have to be able to outrun the bear. You just have to be able to outrun the person next to you. Those that are inefficient will be the first ones to fall the next time things get tough. Time will show if you spent this segment of time wisely or if you thought it was going to last forever just like we all thought before. If you have your money, your farm and your genetics right, you will be able to handle any market condition just fine. Come see us on March 28th, and we will make sure you get the most profitable genetics for any market condition.
I would encourage you to do three things during this brief time because - Joe K . Lowe II history has shown us it will be seven years before we see another peak. M.S. Agricultural Economics You should have already done it, but have your long-term mortgages right. We locked in cheap money as fast as we could in 2020 and are Email joe.lowe@icloud.com to receive my twice monthly newsletter glad we did. If your operating lines are carrying balances, pay them down and keep them down. In the next down market, you will make far
OAK HOLLOW
PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS CATTLE
43rd ANNUAL FIrST CHOICE BULL SALE
MONdAY, MArCH 28, 2022 - 5:30 PM CdT 400 OAK HOLLOW dr - SMITHS GrOVE, KY
KENNETH D. LOWE (270) 202-7186 - JOE K. LOWE II (270) 202-4399 WWW.OAKHOLLOWANGUS.COM
SIRES OF 2022 SALE BULLS*
*Bolded values are in the top 35% of the breed for that given trait.
Phenotypically, this is the strongest set of bulls we have ever produced. They are a structurally sound and sure-footed group of bulls with great calving ease and profitability at all marketing stages throughout the supply chain. A preliminary listing of bulls will be available on this page in the March issue of Cow Country News. Email joe.lowe@icloud.com to receive a listing of bulls and request a catalog.
COLUMNISTS 09 Cary King: President’s Thoughts 10 Dave Maples: Thoughts from Dave 12 Ryan Quarles: Commissioner's Corner 21
Candace Smith & Lindsay Burley: Help Recovering from Natural Disasters
28
Dr. Michelle Arnold: The Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Cow/Calf Producers
34 Chris Teutsch: Producing High Quality Hay in a Changing Climate 104
Dr. Katie VanValin: After the Storm: Considerations for Managing Cattle In the Aftermath of Severe Weather
FEATURE STORIES 15 Kentucky Growers Have Until April 5 To Submit FDA Comments 20 The Importance of Sire Selection 24 UK Winter Wheat Meeting Changed to February 8 26 Over $230,000 Raised to Help with Tornado Relief 30 Rebuild of UK Research & Education Center Begins 32
Comparing Beef With Plant-Based Alternative Proteins: What Are The Facts?
38 More Than $70,000 Awarded For Farmer-Appreciation Projects 40 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees 42 UK to Host IPM Training School March 9
Eby Aluminum Trailers
Gooseneck steel and aluminum trailers
HAYES TRAILER SALES INC Eby Aluminum Gooseneck steel Trailers
and aluminum trailers
Russellville, Kentucky Eby Aluminum Gooseneck steel and aluminum trailers INC HAYESTrailers TRAILER SALES 800-766-7034 HAYES TRAILER SALES INC Russellville, Kentucky hayestrailersales.com Russellville, Kentucky 800-766-7034 800-766-7034 hayestrailersales.com hayestrailersales.com
44 Producer Support of Beef Checkoff Remains Strong 46 Bovine Beauties 52 A Letter from KJCA 53 How Will The Drought Impact The USDA Cattle Reports? 54 New Virtual Platform Allows Farmers To Help Farmers 57
Several Kentucky Counties Eligible For Low-Interest USDA Loans To Repair Agricultural Damage
58 KCA Convention Wrap-Up 76 Cold, wind, snow, rain, and mud. They all impact the cow. 78 How We Got Here: A Brief History of Cattle and Beef Markets 80 Doing What Families Do: Extension Helps Local Tornado Victims 82 EPD: Expected Progeny Difference… More Like Enormous Pay Day
Quality Angus bulls meeting Kentucky CAIP requirements available at the farm. Watch for our consignments to upcoming sales: Kentucky Beef Expo and GMAA Sale in April.
17 NCBA Legislative Update 18 County News 22 Economic & Policy Update 89 Membership 90 Kentucky Beef Council 92 Kentucky Beef Network 95 Kentucky Angus Association News 102 Calendar of Events 103 Advertisers Index 103 Classifieds Cover photo submitted by Gina Perkins, taken by Amber Hancock More Bovine Beauties on page 46 6 • Cow Country • February
GARY, NICOLE, & ETHAN BLEVINS 59 Fieldstone Court • Greenup, Kentucky 41144 606.465.4040 • blevinsblackcattle@gmail.com
STONE GATE FARMS OPTIMUM TRAIT GENETICS
Escort 3867
Eurlot 145
ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE Monday March 7, 2022 12:30 at the farm Selling 65 Angus Bulls Registered females: 10 fall calving cows 8 fall bred heifers 15 Spring Bred Heifers 15 Open heifers Commercial females: 45 bred heifers, start calving March 25
1669 MILL CREEK RD. • FLEMINGSBURG, KY 41041 CHARLES CANNON: 606-849-4278 • CELL: 606-748-0747 JERE CANNON: 606-849-4360 • CELL: 606-748-6306 CHRIS CANNON: 606-748-0407 • VICTORIA CANNON: 606-748-5420 WWW.STONEGATEFARMS.COM • STONEGATEANGUS@GMAIL.COM
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS:
KCA PAST PRESIDENTS:
PRESIDENT Cary King 250 Bright Leaf Drive Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 613-3734
PAST PRESIDENT Chris Cooper 2140 Tates Creek Road Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 200-7711
PRESIDENT ELECT Andy Bishop 6135 High Grove Road Cox's Creek, KY 40013 (502) 350-7609
KCA PROGRAM CHAIRMAN Daniel Hayden 6333 Herbert Road Whitesville, KY 42378 (270) 570-2815
VICE PRESIDENT Jeff Pettit 5745 US Highway 41 S Seebree, KY 42455 (270) 836-2963 TREASURER Ken Adams 90 E Horseshoe Ave. Upton, KY 42784 (270) 734-1443
1972-73 Jere Caldwell - Boyle
†
1974-77 Smith T. Powell† - Lincoln
2003 Mark Williams - Crittenden
1978-79 Larry Lovell† - Union
2004 Paul Napier - Lincoln
1980-82 John Masters† - Mason
2005 Eddie Young - Washington
1983-85 Seldon Hail - Laurel
2006 Greg Ritter - Barren
1986-87 Bob Vickery - Wayne
2007 Don Pemberton - Christian
†
†
†
KBN CHAIRMAN* Allan Bryant BEEF SOLUTIONS CHAIRMAN* Jeff Pettit
REGION 1 Bobby Bell*.................................270-547-8547 Buddy Cook.................................270-275-1274 Ashley Holloway................................................. Leland Steely...............................270-339-3476 Don Pemberton...........................270-889-3855 Wayne Zoleman...........................270-264-1764
1988 Glenn Mackie - Bourbon
2008 Billy Glenn Turpin - Madison
1989 Dale Lovell - Muhlenberg
2009 Scotty Parsons - Christian
1990 Steve Henshaw - Union
2010 Corinne Kephart - Shelby
1991 Jerry Fraim - Grayson
2011 Greg Robey - Mercer
1992 Glen Massengale† - Wayne
2012 Mike Bach - Bath
1993 Dell King - Christian
2013 Don Reynolds - Hart
1994 Kenneth Lowe - Warren
2014 Steve Downs - Marion
1995 Dr. J.L.Cole - Monroe
2015 Gary Woodall - Logan
Dennis Smith..............................270-590-2840
1996 Harvey Mitchell - Mercer
2016 David Lemaster - Clark
Trent Jones.................................270-590-5266
1997 Jim Naive† - Spencer
2017 Chuck Crutcher - Hardin
Chuck Crutcher...........................270-272-6269
1998 Shelby Hughes - Logan
2018 Bobby Foree - Henry
Allison Nissley.............................270-403-3205
1999 Hoppy Lovell - Barren
2019 Tim White - Fayette
Steven Green...............................270-528-1720
2000 Charles Miller - Jessamine
2020 Steve Dunning - Christian
Maggie Vaughn...........................270-590-8017
2001 Larry Clay - Perry
2021 Chris Cooper - Madison
Mike Bullock................................270-792-9644
†
KBC CHAIRMAN Joe Lowe PO Box 205 Smith’s Grove, KY 42171 (270) 202-4399
REGIONAL DIRECTORS: 2002 Jack Kimbrough - Shelby
†
*ex officio
Mark Heimgartner........................270-875-2585 Jeremy Armstrong......................270-668-2056 Blake Munger..............................270-293-8830 Sara Roberson............................270-668-2428 REGION 2 Adam Maulden*..........................270-590-1005
(Deceased)
†
Corbin Cowles.............................270-991-2534 Kirk Cecil.....................................270-692-7698 Isaac Thompson.........................270-789-3940 Rayetta Boone.............................270-230-5488 Andy Joe Moore..........................270-590-0841 Brian Manion...............................270-868-0253 Phyllis Gentry..............................502-331-1146 REGION 3 Allan Bryant*..............................502-548-1379 Allen Phillips...............................502-220-0948 Wanda Hawkins..........................502-321-5602 Phillip Douglas............................502-552-0688 Larry Bryant................................502-845-4615 Amanda Hall................................859-333-5001 Nicole Goecke.............................606-782-2263 Maynard Stetten..........................502-609-4986 Kevin Perkins..............................502-269-7189 John Allison................................502-220-3170 Michelle Simon.................................................. REGION 4
KCA Convention Coverage pages 58-75
Randy Warner*............................859-771-5280 Lisa Baesler................................859-509-5020 Tim White....................................859-509-5401 Amy White...................................859-227-2552 Donovan Pigg..............................502-229-9187
VOLUME 35 • ISSUE 2
Bruce Witt...................................859-585-8889
176 PASADENA DRIVE • SUITE 4 • LEXINGTON, KY 40503 • PHONE: (859) 278-0899
Mike Ravencraft...........................606-584-0310
FAX: (859) 260-2060 • WWW.KYCATTLE.ORG • INFO@KYCATTLE.ORG
Brandon Sears...................................................
Jodi Purvis..................................606-336-3540
Danny Callahan...........................859-388-0910
Dave Maples Executive Vice President
REGION 5
Staff Accountant Kelly Tucker
Membership Coordinator Nikki Whitaker
Graphic Designer Todd Brown
Director of Kentucky Beef Network Becky Thompson
KBC Director of Product Development Katelyn Hawkins
Video Production Specialist Danny Coy
Tommy Spalding..........................270-402-9157
KBN Industry Coordinator Dan Miller
KBC Director of Brand Management Kylie Trail
Office Manager/Communications Assistant Jesslyn Watson
Brent Ware..................................606-305-8612
Publication Coordinator Carey Brown
KBC Director of Education Bradon Burks
National Advertising Sales, Livestock Advertising Network Debby Nichols (859) 321-8770
Adam Chunglo*..........................859-613-2985 Herman Benge.............................606-862-6451 Dean Craft....................................606-634-0191 Rick Brewer.................................606-682-2352 Danny Ray Spalding....................859-336-0444 Gary Ford....................................270-402-2194 Aaron Burke................................859-265-1172 Ryan Miller..................................502-827-5027
COW COUNTRY is published monthly by THE KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any material which he feels is unsuitable for the publication. Although the highest journalistic ethics will be maintained, the KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION limits its responsibilities for any errors, inaccuracies, or misprints in advertising or editorial copy. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content of advertisements made against the publisher.
8 • Cow Country • February
C. Mike Spalding..........................270-699-6587 Jared Foley..................................270-585-1331 * Denotes member of Executive committee
Presidents Thoughts Cary King President, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Wow! Who would have thought that I would be writing an article as the newly elected President of KCA. When my wife Kim and I bought our first cows about 1994, we never dreamed that it would lead us to meeting so many great people involved in the cattle industry. I just finished serving three years as President of Mercer County Farm Bureau and have enjoyed my time with the Mercer County Extension office programs and local Cattlemen’s group. Our involvement with KCA was almost immediate, as I was eager to learn everything cattle! Back then our Mercer County chapter was led by Dorris Hamilton and I appreciate all she did to bring great educational opportunities to us. I was blessed to be able to take part in things like Master Cattleman and Master Grazer. Every program that was offered was so helpful! Then my wife of 42 years was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and was appointed to the Agriculture Committee, where she still serves. There, we continue to meet more great people in the agriculture community. I was excited when I got the opportunity to serve on the state board and several years later, thanks to our past KCA President Bobby Foree, I was elected Chair of the Kentucky Beef Network. That allowed me to serve on the executive committee, and I got to help manage our partnership with UK’s Eden Shale farm in Owen Co. At first, I was somewhat skeptical of KBN running the farm, but it has turned out to be a real opportunity for Kentucky’s cattlemen to see cutting-edge demonstrations of helpful ideas that we can incorporate into our own family farms. Please make a point to visit soon. Throughout my involvement at KCA, I have been so impressed at how our Executive Dave Maples has been able to attract the best of the best to fill the needed positions on our staff. I just can’t say enough about the quality of character of each one. The volunteer leaders that have helped lay the foundation of this organization have done a great job and, in my opinion, has become one of, if not the strongest state Cattlemen’s association in the nation. Our 2022 KCA Convention held at the Central Bank Center in Lexington was a huge success. It was so nice to be back together in
person, starting with outstanding speakers at the Beef Efficiency Conference. Don Schiefelbein is always so inspirational and he talked about their use of all cutting edge technology available including DNA, and how to run a large family business. He and Dr. Dan Thomson from Iowa State, emphasized the fact that while we might disagree on certain issues within the cattle industry, we must provide a united front to the rest of the world. We are one family of cattle producers, “We must hang together, or they will hang us one at a time” Benjamin Franklin. The industry trade show was very well attended, showing all of the latest and greatest shiny paint! I also enjoyed the keynote speech at our closing session on Friday by our good friend and Agriculture Commissioner, Dr. Ryan Quarles. He brought us up-to-date on all of the great things happening in our Kentucky ag community. I can’t say enough about our 2021 President,
Chris Cooper. He did an excellent job all year, especially leading this convention. His beautiful family was in attendance at our Friday evening banquet, reflecting his fine Christian leadership. So as we move into this new year, I would ask that you lend your time, your talents, and join the team, helping us as we take on the many tasks presented to us to help every cattle producer. Those with 10 head, or 10,000 head, need to be profitable and sustainable with their operations. Ask every producer you know to become a member of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, the benefits are enormous! Until next time, keep them bedded and well fed, and try to enjoy the beautiful winter days on the farm! Please contact the KCA office, and tell me about your events, I would love to attend. Thanks for the opportunity to serve.
Cary King
Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President
White Farm Bull & Commercial Female Sale
Saturday • March 19, 2022 • 1:00 EST White Farm • Lexington, KY Angus, Sim-Angus, Red Angus & Black Hereford Bulls Spring Calving Heifers Spring & Fall Calving Cows Show Heifer Prospects Contact White Farm: Tim White: 859-509-5401 Amy White: 859-227-2552 3664 Military Pike Lexington, KY 40513
whitefarm4@twc.com February • Cow Country • 9
Thoughts From Dave Dave Maples Executive Vice President You did help. Last months cover of Cow Country led with the phrase that YOU CAN HELP, and you did help. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation received funds from cattlemen all across Kentucky and even all across the country. It is so nice to know that there are people and organizations that are willing to give. Our team in the KCA office has had the conversation multiple times on how strong the cattle Industry network is from the national level to the state and to our county associations. When the word went out for help, cattlemen answered the call. I want you all to know that the Western states and the cattle feeding companies sent funds. When I saw the very nice checks from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association as well as Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma I was humbled. One of the first calls that we received followed by funds was from Jordan Levey at Five Rivers Cattle Feeding in Greely, Colorado. But most of the donations were from individual cattlemen and people that wanted to support farm families. I have to give a couple of shout outs to some special counties and different states that really went to a higher level of giving. First the nice people of Nicholasville in Jessamine County made a really, really nice donation to the effort. As I was writing thank you notes, it became apparent that I was sending a lot of thank yous to cattlemen in Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. There were literally donations from California to New York. Each and every envelope, some with just a check, some with a note, and one with cash were each appreciated and respected. These were checks from people that truly wanted to help. There were small donations and there were $25,000 and $30,000 checks from individuals. With each check, I personally, and I know Nikki Whitaker, Becky Thompson, and Kelly Tucker, along with the entire staff respected each of those donations and have worked to get the funds where they were intended to go. I also realize the trust and confidence that the donors placed in the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation. On the receiving side I can’t say thank you enough to our local Cattlemen’s Associations and Extension agents. That long standing 10 • Cow Country • February
network has been time-tested and reliable. KCA Convention The day after the KCA convention has always been one of those days. You have been on an adrenaline high for four days combined with being tired from all the walking and talking to all the wonderful people. Just dealing with the details and the timing and how presenters are going to arrive and leave the venue where they are speaking. But when the food service providers just happen to lose sixty steaks, it will drive you to drink. Don Schiefelbein, NCBA’s President-elect did an outstanding job on two occasions in his comments to the audience first about the cattle industry and second about how his family farming operation works. Don is one of eight boys and their family farm has a combined total of 84 family members and
they don’t always see eye to eye. All I could think about while he was talking was KCA, where the organization has 92 members on the board and they don’t always see eye to eye. It is important to have a plan, a vision, and a structure that can carry out the mission. This year’s convention was a good one. To be honest, it exceeded my expectations. With the virus and a new incomplete venue, I did not know what to expect but it worked. I have worked for you a long time now. I feel like the next two years are going to really be a challenge for the organization. We are either going to set the path for the future of not only the KCA organization but the Kentucky beef industry and agriculture in general for years to come, or we are going to miss an opportunity. I like the directions that were given and that was "go forward."
Allison Char Charolais Breeder Sinc AllisonAllison Charolais • Charolais
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(859) 278-0899 John Allison, Owner
C
Ryan Quarles
Commissioner of Agriculture
As I noted last month, the General Assembly is back in town. This year, they have a full agenda. Using new census data, the legislature must adopt new legislative districts for both the state house and state senate. It’s also a budget session. The House of Representatives and the Senate wasted no time in introducing bills to deal with both during the first week of session. Usually we don’t see the budget bill until later, but with the Constitution limiting the number of days available for the session, legislators hope to deal with redistricting and the budget early so they can move onto tax reform and the other items. As a former legislator, I can tell you: time is of the essence. While I fully expect any tax reform to protect any tax exemptions for agricultural purposes, I encourage you to consider reaching out to your representative or senator to talk about the importance of agriculture to our state. Be sure to view the new legislative maps at legislature.ky.gov to see if your legislator has changed. One of the bills that has already passed both houses and has been signed into law by the Governor is a relief bill for western Kentucky counties to help speed up recovery efforts from the devastating weather event in December. As I mentioned at the Kentucky Cattlemen Convention in January, the tornadoes uniquely affected our agricultural sector, destroying poultry, cattle, and row crop
operations. The response from the General Assembly was swift: they set aside $200 million for a West Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies Fund. The bill passed unanimously in both houses, showing Kentucky can come together when it matters most. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now offering low-interest loans to help farmers rebuild in 24 counties affected by the tornadoes. The Small Business Administration is offering resources farmers may be eligible for as well. Please keep up-todate with the available resources on the KDA website at kyagr.com/ tornado. Lastly, our efforts to recognize the outstanding work of Kentucky farmers through our Raising Hope – Supporting Healthy Lives on Kentucky Farms campaign continued last month. We were able to award more than $70,000 in mini-grants for community organizations around the state to conduct farmer appreciation programs that will promote the many contributions of families like yours, and to better help non-farm families understand the various challenges you face while raising the food and fiber consumers rely upon. The response from Kentucky was overwhelming. There were 44 applications and we were only able to afford to award 16. It’s my hope we’ll be able to look at doing this again in the future.
9th Annual Commercial
presents
Open Heifer Sale
APRIL 2, 2022 1 PM
LAUREL COUNTY CATTLEMEN SALE FACILITIES 3610 SLATE LICK CHURCH ROAD LONDON, KY
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Laurel County Extension Office.............................606.864.4167 Wes Evans, Association President.........................606.682.1583 Glenn Williams, Ag Agent......................................606.682.0665
12 • Cow Country • February
Come see us at the National Farm Machinery Show and SEE THE TURRET GATE IN PERSON!
It’s not for every gate on the farm, just the ones you want to keep swinging.
foreverhinge.com
Visit us at Booth #3390 in the West Wing at the National Farm Machinery Show
Kentucky Growers Have Until April 5 To Submit FDA Comments
27th Buyer’s Choice Annual Bull Sale
Monday • 5:30PM (dinner served presale) February 28th at the farm Quality, Kentucky
Kentucky growers have until April 5 to submit comments about a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal that would change some agricultural water requirements for produce growers, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles announced. “The FDA recently notified the Department of Agriculture about potential new changes to agricultural water requirements for our produce growers,” Commissioner Quarles said. “These changes may affect you and before they do, it’s important for Kentucky growers to provide feedback to help improve the rule. Now is the time to have your voices heard.” FDA’s proposed changes affect the preharvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce. If finalized, the requirements in the proposed rule would replace the pre-harvest microbial quality criteria and testing requirements in the Produce Safety Rule. FDA has opened a formal comment window giving the opportunity for anyone to comment on the proposed changes. All comments, either electronic or paper, must be received by FDA by April 5. Comments can be filed either electronically or individuals can submit written comments. You can find more about how to submit comments at: https://bit. ly/3KnQMsJ Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program is monitoring the proposed changes and will inform growers, partners, and industry stakeholders statewide of any changes that become final. For questions, contact Mark Reed, KDA Produce Safety Program Manager at (502) 782-7809 or by e-mail at mark.reed@ky.gov.
SELLING SIRES OF:
SAV Rainfall, Connealy Emerald, Connealy Maternal Made, Connealy Commonwealth, Connealy Concord 65 Bulls • 30 Registered Pairs (most 3-in-1s) 30 Registered Bred Heifers • 25 Bred Commercial Heifers OUR SERVICE Foot Guarantee • Huge emphasis on soundness and foot quality • Breeder’s Guarantee • Breeding soundness examined BVD PI Tested • All bulls foot-scored OUR PROGRAM Non-Pampered Forage Developed Bulls • Athletic Bulls • Huge emphasis on fertility Johne’s NG herd status with annual testing Comprehensive herd health program CALL TO REQUEST A SALE BOOK David Woodall, DVM (270) 847-1010 • Gary Woodall (270) 725-0819 Luke Woodall (270) 889-1138 • Ian Woodall (270) 893-8424 woodallangus@aol.com • www.woodallangus.com Find us on facebook @WoodallAngus
FREE DELIVERY WITH QUALIFIED PURCHASES! February • Cow Country • 15
SIMGENETICS BORN AND RAISED IN FESCUE COUNTRY
l a e r n o built
PERFORMANCE AND EYE APPEAL! We understand the importance of cattle built to increase profit margins. Whether you’re looking for calving ease, increased pounds at weaning, carcass merit, or females to take you to the next level - we have something for you! We know first hand the results
WHEN PHENOTYPE COMBINES WITH GENOTYPE AND COMMON SENSE!
BULLS LIKE THESE WILL SELL!
Sold to commercial producer, Scottie Smith, KY [Category C]
t e g d u B y r e v E r o f s Bull
Sold to commercial producer, William Younce, KY [Category A]
Sold to seedstock producer, Hart Simmental, SD [Category D]
ALL BULLS SELL WITH GENOMICS, COLOR AND POLLED STATUS. MOST BULLS ARE HOMOZYGOUS BLACK AND POLLED. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR FEEDER CALF BUY-BACK PROGRAM! CALL US TODAY TO LEARN MORE!
Sale averages of bulls sold from 2019-2021.
A. $2,500-$4,000 [63%] B. $4,001-$6,000 [30%] C. $6,001-$10,000 [6%] D. $10,000+ [2%]
Sold to commercial producer, Ricky Bishop, KY [Category B]
Sold to commercial and seedstock producer, Dotson Cattle Co, KY [Category A]
SALE PARTNERS Wayward Hill Farm / Chris. 859-351-4486 / Henry. 859-229-0755 Swain Select Simmental / Chi. 502-287-2116 / Fred. 502-599-4560 Misty Meadows Farm / Rondal. 502-593-5136 DP Sales Management / Doug Parke. 859-421-6100
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022 / 12:00 PM EDT Bluegrass Regional Marketplace Lexington, KY The Stockyards National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has/ represented America’s
Selling 80+ Simmental & SimAngus Bulls,since Breds, Heifers & Genetic Opportunities! cattle producers 1898,Show preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of
ONLINE producers, NCBAAT works to create newBID markets and increase demand for REQUEST Acattle CATALOG
beef. Efforts are made possible through contributions. To join, AND membership VIEW VIDEOS BELLESANDBULLSOFTHEBLUEGRASS@GMAIL.COM contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.
facebook.com/bellesbullsofthebluegrass
16 • Cow Country • February
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Maternal Matters!
NCBA BACKS WOTUS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM EPA ADVISORY COMMITTEE WASHINGTON (January 14, 2022) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for a report issued by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC). “The FRRCC represents a diverse group of stakeholders including academia, industry, non-governmental organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments,” said Scott Yager, NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel. “NCBA strongly supports the committee’s recommendation to develop a clear and limited WOTUS definition and protect key exemptions for common agricultural features. With the EPA’s convoluted approach to soliciting public comments and stakeholder perspectives on WOTUS, NCBA encourages the EPA to listen to its own advisory committee’s recommendation, and the recommendation is clear: farmers and ranchers need clear rules and regulatory certainty to be successful.”
REDHILL 176A AMBER 208C (#3521863) At Red Hill Farms, we are extremely pleased Red Angus has a new MATERNAL Index, HERDBUILDER. This new index is closely aligned with our maternal selection goals – cows that breed regularly, calve easily and early in the breeding season, and wean a high percent of their body weight. In addition to this important index, we put extra emphasis on udders, feet and disposition. Profitability starts with the cow!
Terminal Matters!
The FRRCC’s recommendations include: Ensuring EPA compliance with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent limiting federal jurisdiction over bodies of water. Developing a clear definition of WOTUS that is easily interpreted by farmers and ranchers. Protecting WOTUS exemptions for common agricultural features, including farm ditches, stock ponds, prairie potholes, prior converted cropland, and other small, isolated water features. Reconsidering the EPA roundtable process to ensure that all stakeholders have an opportunity to voice concerns on WOTUS rulemaking. Background
The FRRCC is a Federal Advisory Committee chartered by the EPA to provide policy advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues impacting agriculture and rural communities. The committee consists of 32 members from across the United States representing academia, agricultural producers, affiliated industries, non-governmental organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments. On January 12, 2022, the FRRCC released a final report containing policy recommendations to EPA Administrator Michael Regan. In addition to the recommends on WOTUS, NCBA is supportive of the FRRCC’s position on an Ecosystem Management System, pesticide management, and food loss and food waste. These recommendations focus on the need for clear, consistent policy positions from the EPA that account for the needs of farmers and ranchers on their individual operations. In November 2021, the Biden administration released a proposal to repeal the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and propose new regulations on common agricultural features, such as stock ponds, ditches, and ephemeral water features that only flow during rain. The rule is currently open for public comment and NCBA is engaging with the EPA to voice concerns on the rule. NCBA encourages the EPA to adopt the FRRCC recommendations, which align with the views of cattle producers and address shortcomings in the proposed rule.
REDHILL 672X X004 231A (#2847534) The SimGenetics bulls at Red Hill are selected to add payweight in all phases of production – weaning, yearling and carcass. As a bonus, these bulls are selected for KY-31 fescue adaptability, slick hair, good feet and remarkably calm dispositions. These bulls are ideal for mating to British-based cows to produce calves with added hybrid vigor, feedlot demand and consumer acceptance. 231A, along with other Red Hill sires, have proven track records of adding value in all segments of the beef business!
Visit www.RedHillFarms.net for information about our sale and breeding program.
XVII
MORE THAN A BULL SALE 17th Annual Sale
Saturday, March 19, 2022 1 p.m. CDT • At the Farm
:
g Sellin
Bart, Sarah & Ty Jones (615) 666-3098
466 Red Hill Road • Lafayette, TN 37083
mail@redhillfarms.net Gordon & Susan Jones (270) 991-2663
80 Red Angus, SimAngus™, Charolais and Cross-Ty Bulls February • Cow Country • 17
GRAYSON COUNTY NEWS Submitted by Laura Cooper-Green
Grayson County held their Annual Meeting on December 9th. With almost 150 members and guests in attendance, we were entertained by St Paul School's Senior Orchestra, a wonderful meal catered by K's Cafe, and presentations by Dave Maples and Andy Bishop. Warren Beeler received a print for his dedication and hard work that he does for agriculture in Grayson County, and for our Cattlemen's Association. Officers were reelected as follows: Ronald Horn, President; Brian Manion, Vice President; Robbie Hatfield, Treasurer; Mike Green, Asst Treasurer; Laura Cooper Green, Secretary.
Photos by Clara Bishop
HARDIN COUNTY NEWS Submitted by Chuck Crutcher
The Hardin County Cattlemen’s Assocation held their 38th annual meeting on December 7. We were privileged to have Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles as our speaker at this event. Also giving us an update on the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association was KCA President Chris Cooper. Thanks to our sponsors for allowing us to host the event.
18 • Cow Country • February
LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS Submitted by Tyler Miller
Lincoln County Cattlemen’s cooking for Lincoln County Farm Bureau Christmas dinner.
Lincoln County Cattlemen’s Christmas dinner for the officers,directors, and spouses. Lincoln County Cattlemen’s cooking for Stanford Southern States customer appreciation day/store manager Tom Frith retirement.
METCALFE COUNTY NEWS Submitted by Moe Hensley
The Metcalfe County Cattlemen held their Christmas Meeting on December 16, 2021 at the Metcalfe County Extension Office. There was a huge crowd on hand. Blue Grass Stockyards of Campbellsville was the sponsor for the night. After the meeting was called to order and minutes read, officers were voted in as well as changes on the Board of Directors. There was discussion on a new ByLaws Committee to overhaul the current By-Laws. There was also a Scholarship Committee named to set criteria for that particular program. After routine business, Eddie Jessie blessed the wonderful meal prepared by the Cooking Crew. After the meal, everyone was reminded about the upcoming hay auction at the Metcalfe County Fairgrounds on January 29,2022.
The Cooking Crew working hard. They pulled a double this week as they also cooked for a local business for their Customer Appreciation Day.
Jim Akers with Blue Grass Stockyards of Campbellsville was the guest speaker of the night. Jim discussed how the market is going and stated he sees a positive trend. The futures look good as of right now. He also said to do your homework and keep an eye on the market. You can go to their website and check it at your convenience. Jim stated that they put out a report 6 days a week to their buyers of what's coming in. If you know you are bringing livestock in, let them know so they can pass it on to the buyers. He also discussed their Value Added Program, BG Beef. Depending on how you want to take your calves to market, there are 3 tag colors to "tell the story" to buyers by just looking at that tag. See your local Blue Grass Barn or Field Rep for more information. There were several more representatives from Campbellsville in attendance for the meeting. Door prizes, donated by very generous businesses and individuals, were given away at the end of the night. We want to thank Blue Grass Stockyards of Campbellsville for sponsoring the meeting and all who donated for door prizes.
The Christmas Meeting had a nice turnout.
Jim Akers with Blue Grass Stockyards of Campbellsville addresses the Metcalfe County Cattlemen's Association.
February • Cow Country • 19
The Importance of Sire Selection Darrh Bullock University Of Kentucky Dan W. Moser Kansas State University success. Furthermore, advances in genomic technology have led to EPD with higher accuracy values, particularly in young bulls, which reduces the risk of selection errors due to imprecise genetic merit estimates. Selection indices and decision-support tools have the potential to enhance selection precision by assisting producers to select bulls that have the potential to improve their economic outcome. Producers who stay up to date on advances in beef cattle genetics and apply that knowledge to their bull selection decisions should profit from enhanced revenue and reduced production costs. Opportunity for Genetic Change
This is taken from the University of Kentucky Beef Sire Selection Manual (3rd edition, 2021). Contact your county extension office to receive your copy. In commercial beef cattle operations, sire selection is the foundation of the genetic potential of the herd. The genetic merit of the herd in conjunction with the environment in which it exists, the management it is subjected to, and the underlying economic factors determine the success of the operation. Sire selection is a critical component of every cow/calf operation; it should not be practiced in isolation but rather in consideration of the other factors involved. Bull selection presents an important opportunity to enhance the profitability of the beef production enterprise. For several reasons, bull selection is one of the most important producer decisions, and as such requires advance preparation and effort to be successful. To effectively select sires, producers must not only be well versed in the use of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD), but they must accurately and objectively assess their current genetics, resources, and management. Understanding breed differences and knowledge of heterosis and developing a breeding program has long been established as one of the most important means to economic 20 • Cow Country • February
Sire selection represents the greatest opportunity for genetic change for several reasons. Genetic change in cow- calf operations can occur both through sire selection and through replacement female selection in conjunction with cow culling. Considering that most producers raise their own replacement heifers rather than purchasing them, a large fraction of the heifer crop is needed for replacements. Depending on culling rate in the cowherd, usually one-half or more of the replacement heifer candidates are retained at weaning to allow for further selection at breeding time. Even if the best half of the heifers are retained, some average heifers will be in that group. The information used to select replacement heifers in commercial herds is limited. Producers may use in-herd ratios along with data on the heifers’ dams, but these types of data on females do not reflect genetic differences as well as EPD used primarily to select bulls. When selecting replacement heifers from within your herd, remember that the decisions you make today in sire selection will impact the future genetic potential of your cow herd. Whether selecting natural service sires for purchase or sires to be used via artificial insemination (AI), the amount of variation available can be almost overwhelming. Producers can find bulls that will increase or decrease nearly any trait of economic importance. Furthermore, since relatively few bulls will service a large number of cows, producers can select bulls that target their specific needs even when
using natural mating. Use of AI allows commercial producers to use some of the most outstanding bulls in the world at a reasonable cost, allowing for enormous amounts of genetic change, if desired. Finally, selection of bulls is usually more accurate than female selection. Seedstock breeders provide genetic information in the form of EPD, which allow for direct comparison of potential sires across herds and environments. Unlike actual measurements, EPD utilize multiple sources of information to give a clearer representation of cattle’s genetic potential, and with increased information comes increased accuracy of selection. If AI is used, even greater accuracy is possible when selecting progeny proven bulls. Bulls used in AI may have high accuracy EPD calculated from thousands of progeny measured in many herds and environments. Long-term Change Genetic change tends to be slower than most management decisions, but the consequences are longer lasting. Feeding a supplement to meet nutritional requirements is beneficial as long as the feeding continues, and health protocols, while important, must be maintained year after year. However, once a genetic change occurs, that change will remain until additional new genetics enter the herd. Whether selecting for growth, carcass traits, or maternal performance, those traits, once established in the herd, are automatically passed on to the next generations. Sire selection has a long-term impact. Regardless of whether a selected sire has a favorable or unfavorable effect on the herd, if his daughters enter the cowherd, his contributions will remain for a considerable period of time. Assuming a sire is used for four years and his daughters are retained, his impact will easily extend into the next decade. And, while each generation dilutes his contribution, his granddaughters and great-granddaughters may remain in the herd a quarter-century after his last sired calves. For this reason, purchases of bulls and semen should be viewed not as a shortterm expense, but as a long-term investment into the efficiency and adaptability of the beef production enterprise.
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E C O NO MI C & P O L I C Y U P D A T E
Opportunity or Obligation? Steve Isaacs University Of Kentucky Baby Boomers are in the process of transitioning trillions of dollars of assets to Millennials and Gen Zers. This includes farming Baby Boomers. USDA’s Farmland Ownership and Tenure survey indicates that about ten percent of farm assets transition to new owners every five years. That work further suggests that about three-fourths of those assets transition within families. In Kentucky, here’s what this means: •
Kentucky has $48.8 billion of land and buildings (2017 Ag Census)
•
20% will transition by 2031 (TOTAL survey)
•
That’s $1 billion/year
•
Or, $2.7 million/day
•
Or, the equivalent of a 675-acre farm (at 2021 average farmland values)
•
Every day for the next ten years
So, is this an opportunity or an obligation? Clearly, for families that are interested in the continuity of farms as a viable business, it is an opportunity. For younger family members who’d like to continue the legacy, it is an opportunity. For older family members who would like to provide their successors with the resources to succeed, it is an opportunity. It is critically important, however, that the family agrees that this is the right path forward…that both generations see it as an opportunity. Otherwise, it could be an obligation that saddles successors with responsibilities they don’t want and disappoints the senior generation when things turn sour. One of the wonderful things about the culture of agriculture is that it is a place that can combine family and business and all the joys and benefits of families growing and working together. One of the worst things about the culture
of agriculture is that it is a place that can combine family and business and all the disasters that can come with families struggling to work together. It is indeed a paradox. Working together and seeing generations of dreams fulfilled is wonderful. Disputes and disagreements, however, can destroy generations of dreams. Working together in a family business should be because we want to, not because we have to. We start young, and with the assumption that farm-raised kids will want to farm. We give our kids toy tractors and combines and little farmsteads with barns and cows. We dress them in bibs and caps with tractor logos. We start them working at very early ages (just like our parents did with us) to teach them that “farm work ethic.” But, how often do we say, “I want to teach them how to manage this business”? We get them engaged with crops and livestock, 4-H and FFA. And, all of these things are great… until they’re not. Assuming someone is going to do something, especially within families, can place an implicit (or sometimes explicit) burden on kids and parents. Ag tends to not let go lightly. Leaving “home” is a bad thing. Cutting losses and trying something else is viewed as a failure. A school teacher who decides to go to law school is changing careers. A lawyer who decides to be a forest
The Agricultural Economics Department publishes the Economic and Policy Update towards the end of each month. Each issue features articles written by extension personnel within the department and other experts across the country.
22 • Cow Country • February
ranger is changing careers. But, a farmer who decides to do something else is often labeled as a failed farmer, or as failing the family by not carrying on the family legacy. We tend to obligate people to stay in farming. If they want to, great. If they don’t want to, let’s give them permission to try something else. Where does this fit in the transition/ succession planning process? AT THE BEGINNING, and the earlier, the better! This is too important a decision to put off. Or worse, to pass on to the successors without a plan. Family discussions about passing the business to the next generation should start with, “do you want to farm?” and “do I want you to farm?” When these discussions start (and starting the discussion is another important topic) there is an assumption that everyone knows the “why” and we tend to focus on the “how.” Answer the “why” first by considering whether this is an opportunity or an obligation. The only wrong answer is not asking the question.
For this article I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of Kevin Ferguson, University of Tennessee Extension Area Specialist in Farm Management and MANAGE Program Coordinator. Our 35-year collaboration is such that I can’t tell what’s mine, his, or ours.
Topics will vary greatly but regularly include marketing, management, policy, natural resources, and rural development issues. If you would like to recieve this newsletter by email, please contact Kenny Burdine at kburdine@uky. edu.
You can also view current and past issues online at https://bit.ly/2PoHsZj Co-editors: Kenny Burdine, Alison Davis, and Greg Halich
UK Winter Wheat Meeting Changed to February 8 Katie Pratt University of Kentucky The University of Kentucky Wheat Science Group has moved its annual Winter Wheat Meeting to 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CST Feb. 8 at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. The date change allows more time for producers and UK specialists to recover from the Dec. 10 tornado that devastated much of Western Kentucky. The meeting will feature presentations from UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment specialists and Karen Meinders, Corteva Agrisciences’ global research and development and sustainability communications leader. She will speak about ways producers can effectively talk about sustainability practices on their farms with stakeholders and consumers. “Kentucky farmers have a great story to tell when it comes to sustainability,” said Travis Legleiter, UK weeds scientist. “We are excited to have Karen speak with the group about ways farmers can expand their communications efforts.” UK agricultural economist Jordan Shockley will lead a discussion on ways producers can successfully manage high input costs and capitalize on market prices. “Given the volatility of both input and crop prices, it’s important to use all the economic tools available to you going into 2022,” he said. Additional UK presentations include lessons from the UK wheat yield contest, soil sampling for precision agriculture, and nitrogen, sulfur and micronutrient interactions in wheat nutrition. “The wheat yield contest tells us what yields are possible in Kentucky,” said Chad Lee, director of the UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, who will lead that discussion. “We will discuss the practices that contest winning farmers used to achieve those results.” The program is approved for continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisors. They can receive one hour each in soil and water management and integrated pest management and 0.5 hours each in nutrient management, crop management and sustainability. Pesticide applicators can receive one general and one specific hour of continuing education in categories 1A and 10. 24 • Cow Country • February
Don’t skimp on the paper. Not all “Angus” bulls are REGISTERED Angus bulls.
Having quality paper is vital... for you and your bulls. There are a lot of Angus bulls on the market, but not all are backed by the power of 80 million datapoints and a registration paper. Invest wisely in a registered Angus bull.
Alex Tolbert Regional Manager 706.338.8733 Alex Tolbert atolbert@angus.org Regional Manager 706.338.8733 atolbert@angus.org
Look for the REGISTRATION NUMBER. Bring the Power of Angus to your herd. Angus.org/PBA.
SM
February • Cow Country • 25
Mason County delivers hay to Lyon County
Muhlenberg County receives a donation from the Kentucky Cattlemen's Foundation
Governor Andy Beshear speaks to volunteers at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
Governor Andy Beshear speaks to KCA staff and leadership at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
Calloway County receives a donation from the Kentucky Cattlemen's Foundation
The Christian County Cattlemen's Association grilled for residents staying at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
Taylor County receives a donation from the Kentucky Cattlemen's Foundation
Over $230,000 Raised to Help with Tornado Relief Nikki Whitaker Kentucky Cattlemen's Association The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, through the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation, received over $230,000 to help farmers in Western Kentucky who had suffered damage following historic tornados across the area. Beginning late on December 10th and continuing into the early hours of December 11th, a violent, long-tracked storm moved across Western Kentucky, producing catastrophic damage in numerous towns, including Mayfield, Princeton, Dawson Springs, and Bremen. The National Weather Service reported that in all, 66 powerful tornadoes created a path of destruction through eight states, many with an EF3 or EF4 rating. It was the deadliest and longest-tracked tornado outbreak Kentucky has seen. Across the Bluegrass, farmers offered a helping hand to neighbors and friends. Within days of the tornados, multiple 26 • Cow Country • February
funding relief efforts were put into place and donations of health supplies, farm supplies and food began pouring into the University of Kentucky Extension Offices. Many local Cattlemen’s chapters grilled steaks and hamburgers for volunteers and residents, and several others delivered hay and volunteered in the debris cleanup. “Through all of this, we are so thankful and see the benefit of a strong network,” said Dave Maples, KCA Executive V.P. “From Cattlemen’s members across the Nation that have donated money, to our county chapters in Kentucky receiving those donations and delivering supplies to cattle producers - the cattlemen’s network is a strong one.” The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation quickly began distributing funds to the impacted areas, working with local Cattlemen’s chapters, ANR Extension Agents, and local farm supply stores.
Funds were used to purchase items such as feed bunks and hay rings to distribute to farmers who had lost theirs in the storm. “It is so gratifying to see our county and regional Cattlemen’s groups working so hard to identify specific needs for individual farmers,” said Charles Miller, a KCA past president who helped to raise donations in Jessamine County. “They along with our Ag Extension Agents are the boots on the ground guaranteeing that our funds are serving the greatest and best use.” Many producers have a long road ahead of them as they continue to access the damage done to their property and operations. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation will continue to take donations to help purchase and deliver supplies where needed. To learn more about the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation, visit the KCA website at www. kycattle.org.
Help Recovering from Natural Disasters Candace Smith & Lindsay Burley Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC Recently, devastating tornadoes cut through Western Kentucky, not only destroying homes and communities, but also causing widespread damage to farmlands and livestock. Although this damage was a major blow to both the agriculture and livestock communities, the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) offers a variety of programs that may be able to help farmers that have suffered losses because of natural disasters. One such program is the Livestock Indemnity Program (“LIP”). The LIP provides benefits to eligible livestock owners for livestock injuries or deaths in excess of normal mortality rates caused by eligible loss conditions, such as adverse weather. Eligible adverse weather conditions include tornadoes, as well as earthquakes, lightning, hail, floods, and winter storms, among others. To be eligible to receive LIP payments for adverse weather, owners must have owned the livestock on the day the livestock died and/ or were injured and the livestock must have either died in excess of normal mortality as a direct result of the adverse weather or been injured as a direct result of the adverse weather and sold at a reduced price. Additionally, the livestock must have been maintained for commercial use as a part of a farming operation on the day that they died. If livestock owners meet these criteria, they can receive an LIP payment up to 75% of the market value for livestock that died, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. For injured livestock that meet these criteria, the owner can receive the difference between the national payment rate for the livestock category and the amount the owner received for selling the livestock. Another such program is the Emergency Conservation Program (“ECP”), which helps farmers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters. To qualify for ECP funds, the damage to the farmland must have created new conservation problems that, if not addressed, would: •
Further damage the land;
•
Significantly affect the land’s productive capacity;
•
Represent damage from a natural disaster unusual for the area;
•
Be too costly to repair without Federal assistance in order to return the land to agricultural production.
These materials are public information and have been prepared solely for educational purposes. These materials reflect only the personal views of the authors and are not individualized legal advice. It is understood that each case is fact-specific, and that the appropriate solution in any case will vary. Therefore, these materials may or may not be relevant to any particular situation. Thus, the authors and Steptoe & Johnson PLLC cannot be bound either philosophically or as representatives of their various present and future clients to the comments expressed in these materials. The presentation of these materials does not establish any form of attorney-client relationship with the authors or Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. While every attempt was made to ensure that these materials are accurate, errors or omissions may be contained therein, for which any liability is disclaimed.
If farmers wish to utilize ECP funds, the Farm Service Agency Committee will inspect the damage to determine if the land is eligible. Finally, eligible farmers may be able to utilize Emergency Farm Loans through the USDA’s Emergency Loan Program. The Emergency Loan Program is triggered when the Secretary of Agriculture designates a natural disaster, or if the President declares a natural disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act. Farmers who receive Emergency Farm Loans may use the funds to restore or replace essential property, pay production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the farming operation, or refinance certain non-real estate operating debts. To qualify for these loans, farmers must have suffered at least a 30% loss in crop production or a physical loss to livestock, livestock products, real estate, or other property. Many of these programs require farmers and livestock owners to act quickly, which can be difficult in the aftermath of a natural disaster. An attorney can help you examine the available programs, determine your eligibility, and help you apply to ensure you receive the maximum amount of funds needed to rebuild after a natural disaster.
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The Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Cow/Calf Producers Michelle Arnold University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” We have all heard this phrase, often attributed to Albert Einstein, and it certainly applies when it comes to the health and care of cattle. If you want to improve health and prevent as many problems as possible, think of adopting one or more of the following resolutions. In 2022… 1. I resolve to improve the water the cattle drink: Water is the cheapest and most readily available nutrient but it is often the most overlooked. Consumption varies with age, breed, temperature and humidity, stage of pregnancy or lactation, and level of production but can reach as high as 25-30 gallons per day during hot weather. Generally, cattle health problems are seldom directly due to what is in the water but rather the decrease in water consumption because of the poor taste and odor. Decreased consumption is just as harmful as not having enough water available. When cattle do not drink enough, feed intake and milk production drop, heat stress worsens, and overall immunity suffers. If cattle are allowed to stand in water sources such as ponds, fecal and urine contamination will decrease water quality and certain diseases (for example, leptospirosis) will spread through contaminated water. 2. I resolve to check the mineral feeder regularly and keep trace mineral in front of the cattle at all times: This resolution can be challenging, especially in those times when the cattle seem to eat it as fast as it is put out. The keys to using a free-choice trace mineral product are to ensure cattle have access to mineral 100% of the time, use a palatable, quality product and make sure they are consuming it at the expected level. Remember a 50-pound bag of mineral to be fed at 4 ounces per head per day will only last 4 days in a 50 cow herd. If the cows have calves that also eat mineral, a bag may only last 3 days. If cattle are consuming too much mineral, try moving the feeder farther from the water source or mixing 28 • Cow Country • February
in a small amount of loose salt to slow the consumption rate. Mineral feeders should not be allowed to be empty for long or cattle will overeat salt or mineral when it is offered again which can be fatal. Provide adequate access for cows and calves, for example 1 mineral feeder per 15 cow/calf pairs. Do not offer additional loose salt, salt blocks, or sources of salt at the same time or cattle will not consume enough of the trace mineral mix. Copper and selenium are often far below acceptable levels in cattle diets without supplementation. The absence of these vital nutrients is a major factor in development of disease. Additionally, grass tetany/hypomagnesemia cases will occur in late winter and early spring if lactating beef cattle are not offered a free-choice, high magnesium trace mineral during that period of time. 3. I resolve to test my hay before winter and figure out if I need to buy supplemental feed: If hay quality is poor, for example if cut very ripe (late stage of maturity), rained on while curing, and/or baled with enough moisture to support mold growth, supplementing cattle with adequate energy and protein sources will likely be required to meet their basic nutritional needs until grass is available again. Many cows and calves presented for necropsy (an animal “autopsy”) in late winter reveal a total absence of fat and death is due to starvation. This indicates that the hay feeding program did not provide the necessary nutrition for winter weather survival. It is often difficult to understand that cattle can actually starve to death while consuming all the hay they can eat – especially if crude protein levels are in the 3-4% range, and TDN (energy) is <40% – as is common in some late-cut, overmature, rained-on hay. Many producers purchase “protein tubs” varying from 16-30% protein to make up for any potential protein deficiencies but fail to address the severe lack of energy in the diet. 4. I resolve to keep my pregnant cows from losing weight, especially in the last trimester: Learn to body condition score
cows so you will know where on the cow to look for signs of early weight loss. Inadequate nutrition severely affects the developing fetus in a pregnant cow. “Fetal programming” of the immune system of the developing calf during pregnancy will not progress correctly without sufficient nutrients and trace minerals. A weak cow may experience dystocia (a slow, difficult birth) resulting in lack of oxygen to the calf during delivery, leading to a dead or weak calf. Calves born to deficient dams have less “brown fat” so they are less able to generate body heat and are slower to stand and nurse compared to calves whose dams received adequate nutrition during the last 100 days of pregnancy. Poor colostrum quality and quantity from protein and energy-deficient dams will not support calf survival and performance. Thin cows will be the last ones to rebreed. 5. I resolve to work with a veterinarian to examine my cow vaccination program: Cattle herds are unique entities with different risks for disease on every farm so working with a veterinarian is your best bet to finding the right vaccines for the herd. The question of whether to use modified live or killed vaccine in adult cows is not an easy one to answer. Modified live vaccines (MLVs) offer better and more effective pregnancy protection but can impact conception rates if given too close to breeding season. In addition, MLV vaccines can cause abortions if given to pregnant cattle without strict adherence to label directions. Killed vaccines, on the other hand, are safer but are not nearly as effective at preventing infection. Another option is to administer two doses of MLV vaccine to open heifers (at weaning and a second dose 6 weeks prior to breeding) with annual revaccination using a killed vaccine. This combination stimulates excellent protection without the risk of MLVs although this protective response will diminish after several years. 6. I resolve to improve biosecurity: Purchasing bulls, cows, or calves, and bringing them home to the farm is likely the
single most dangerous time for introduction of new diseases into a herd. Even show animals returning to the farm from events should be isolated to prevent introduction of disease when they re-enter the herd. Any newly purchased animals should be isolated either off the farm or in a well-segregated area for at least 2 weeks (3-4 weeks is better) and observed for any signs of illness. During the period of isolation, a veterinarian should be consulted to appropriately test and vaccinate new arrivals. The best practice is to purchase animals from herds of known health status that will provide a vaccination and health history. Introduction of an animal with a disease such as Johne’s or a BVD persistently infected (PI) animal could have devastating, long-term effects on the health of the cow herd. 7. I resolve to be better prepared to handle problems during labor and delivery: Checking on cows and heifers close to calving allows early detection of difficulty and intervention if needed during calving.
If a cow or heifer is in active labor for 1-1.5 hours and making no progress, calving intervention is indicated. Assist or call for assistance with calving as early as possible, especially with heifers. Make sure calves start nursing after calving, keeping in mind that calves should stand within 30 minutes of delivery and nurse within 30 minutes of standing. If in doubt that the calf will be able to stand and nurse within an hour, make sure the calf is warm and then feed a good quality colostrum replacer, at least 1-2 quarts, within an hour of birth and again before 6 hours old. 8. I resolve to improve my forages: It is often said that beef producers need to think of themselves as grass farmers because they sell pounds of calf produced by a cow that eats grass and makes milk. The UK Forages website: http://forages.ca.uky.edu/ is full of easy-to-find, useful information to make pastures more productive. Check out their instructional videos at https://www.youtube. com/c/KYForages
THE MOST COMPLETE HAY LINE
9. I resolve to keep better records: It is hard to make well-informed decisions without information. At the very least, every animal should have a readable ID tag and calving dates should be recorded. Other parameters such as calf birth and weaning weights, sex, and dam information help differentiate the poor performing cows from the great ones. Vaccination records should include date administered, vaccine name, lot and serial numbers and expiration dates at a minimum. 10. I resolve to listen to a trusted source for information and stop believing everything on Dr. Google: This is true in much more than beef cattle production. There is a lot of misinformation available and discernment is becoming a lost skill. Veterinarians, Extension agents, and University Extension specialists, among others, can help answer or point you in the right direction when it comes to questions about the health and care of cattle. Hoping you have a prosperous 2022!
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Rebuild of UK Research & Education Center Begins Katie Pratt University of Kentucky The rebuilding of the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center in Princeton has begun. The UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is working with the university’s insurance adjusters to determine the extent of the damage to facilities and equipment after the center took a direct hit from an EF-4 tornado Dec. 10. UK officials expect 49 of the center’s 58 buildings to be a complete loss. “We are humbled by the outpouring of support from across the local, state and national agricultural communities,” said Nancy Cox, dean of CAFE and UK vice president for Land-Grant Engagement. “We are moving forward and plan to build back a state-of-the-art research and education facility to continue advancing agriculture.” Crews are now demolishing the remains of the center’s main building. The demolition process is expected to take at least four months. UK officials are beginning to reach out to their equipment suppliers to replace damaged equipment. This process is expected to take some time as well. “Since they are used for research, nearly every piece of equipment we had was a prototype, so we cannot replace them by going to a commercial dealer and picking one out off a lot,” said Chad Lee, director of the UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence located at the center. “We are contacting the companies that we purchased these pieces of equipment from to see how they can be replaced.” The college has established a rebuilding committee comprised of faculty and staff members from the center and main campus. A couple of temporary office spaces are in place at the center and are being used by UKREC director Carrie Knott and other staff members. In the coming weeks, UK will install additional temporary office space and research laboratories so more of the center’s faculty and staff can safely return. “We really appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to work through the tornado aftermath,” Knott said. “There is no way the center’s faculty and staff will be able to offer their full spectrum of research and extension programs in the coming year, but depending on the program and the researcher, some activities are going to continue as planned.” The next activity scheduled is the UK Wheat Science Group’s annual Winter Wheat Meeting, which is set for Feb. 8 at the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. Unlike previous years, preregistration is required for the free event and is due by Jan. 25. Interested individuals may register online at https://bit. ly/3qORDdc. The Kentucky Agricultural Training School programs will continue when possible. Center staff hosted a KATS Drone Pilot Certification Workshop in late December at the Caldwell County Extension office. Additional workshops are in the works and will 30 • Cow Country • February
be announced soon. In December, members of UK’s Physical Plant Division replaced windows, siding and installed a new door and roof on the farm operator’s residence at the center. The farm operator and his family were back in the house before Christmas. The Physical Plant Division is planning to continue to help when possible at the center. Individuals and groups who wish to help UK staff remove debris from the center should contact their county extension office for more information.
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Comparing Beef With Plant-Based Alternative Proteins:
What Are The Facts?
Norman Voyles, Jr 2021 Vice Chair, Cattlemen's Beef Board In mid-November, I traveled from my farming and beef cattle operation to Kansas City for an ag media event called “Trade Talk.” Hosted by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), this annual event offers ag industry broadcast personalities the opportunity to interview representatives from various organizations and companies, all of whom serve this country’s farmers and ranchers in some capacity. As the vice chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board this year, I did several interviews, and was quite frankly surprised by how many broadcasters wanted to hear what this guy from Martinsville, Indiana had to say. They asked me all kinds of questions about the national Beef Checkoff, including many I’ve been asked before – how it works, what kinds of programs it funds, what impact are those programs having on beef demand and so on. However, one new question came up again and again: What’s the Checkoff doing to address the threat that plant-based alternative proteins pose to the beef industry? Honestly, this question wasn’t surprising. Like everyone else, I’ve observed news anchors and market watchers bring up plant-based alternative proteins consistently over the past few years. Some even referred to these products and others as “revolutionary” and “game-changing.” However, that’s not how some beef industry stakeholders view these protein alternatives. I’ve been involved in discussions that took me back a few decades when consumer concerns about beef ’s role in a healthy diet weren’t considered all that important. The fact is, we could have done more back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, because we’re still working to share the real facts about beef ’s nutritional profile. That’s why we need to take protein alternatives more seriously today – and we are. In 2020, the Beef Checkoff commissioned a research study to understand plant-based alternative proteins and their potential impact on beef demand to determine exactly what we’re up against. Now, we’re using this information to determine the best way to encourage consumers to choose beef. The study, “Impacts of New Plant-Based Protein Alternatives on U.S. Beef Demand,” authored by Glynn T. Tonsor, Jayson L. Lusk and Ted C. Schroeder, reflects the attitudes and opinions of 32 • Cow Country • February
more than 3,000 U.S. residents surveyed in September 2020. One of the biggest takeaways from the study was that, while plantbased alternative proteins may be getting a lot of media exposure, consumers still love and choose beef. Here are significant findings from that study: 1.
Beef has a good image. Consumers by and large say that beef ’s taste, appearance, price, and natural goodness greatly exceeds that of plant-based proteins.
2.
Regular meat consumers (68% of the study’s full sample) are much more likely to select beef even when a plant-based item is available. 3.
Changes in beef prices have a much larger impact on consumer decisions to buy beef than the impact of changes in the prices of plant-based offerings. This means plantbased burgers are relatively weak substitutes for beef.
There’s also new research that delves into beef ’s protein quality versus plant-based alternatives. A recent study from the University of Illinois and Colorado State University and funded by the Beef Checkoff and Pork Checkoff used the DIAAS (digestible indispensable amino acid score) system to compare protein quality in beef and pork burgers and plant-based burgers. The study, “Digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) is greater in animal-based burgers than in plant-based burgers if determined in pigs,” was authored by Natalia Fanelli, Hannah Bailey, Tyler Thompson, Robert Delmore, Mahesh Narayanan Nair and Hans Stein. As in the past, researchers found that animal proteins have greater DIAAS values than plantbased proteins. All in all, the research shows us that plant-based protein alternatives are a relatively minor concern to the beef industry right now. However, that doesn’t mean we can just sit back and relax. As Beef Checkoff contractors develop new plans and promotional campaigns, they’re considering this study's findings along with other factors that could impact beef demand, both now and in the future. Consumer preferences continue to evolve, and we need to stay on top of those changes if we’re going to effectively promote beef over competing proteins. I can assure you that my fellow CBB members will continue investing Checkoff dollars wisely to keep beef at the center of dinner plates everywhere.
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Producing High Quality Hay in a Changing Climate Chris Teutsch Univerity of Kentucky Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, Princeton, Kentucky I am not a climatologist, so I am not going to debate climate change or what factors might be impacting it. However, I will tell you what I learned from Matthew Dixon’s (Meteorologist at UK Ag Weather Center) presentation at our fall grazing conferences. In a nutshell, our climate in Kentucky is trending toward warmer and wetter. In fact, since 1895, 5 of the 10 wettest years on record have been in the last decade (Table 1). Let that soak in for a minute (pun intended). Statewide we are seeing increases in rainfall patterns of 2 to 4 inches in many parts of the Commonwealth (Figure 1). If you are interested in watching the video from Matthew’s presentation, it is available on our KYForages YouTube Channel.
curing days. Typically, we will have 5 or 6 baling days on average in May. This has decreased by 1 to 2 days, depending on your location in the state. This equates to a 20 to 30% decrease in baling days. The question becomes how to do we make high quality hay with even fewer haymaking days? The answer is simple, we need to shorten the time between when we mow a hayfield and when it is baled. But how we do that is not so simple. In the remainder of this article, I want to outline factors impacting hay quality and talk about what we can do from a practical standpoint to improve the quality of hay that we are producing in the Commonwealth. Available Bailing Days*
Kentucky Top Ten Wettest Years on Record (1895 - 2020) Rank
Year
Total
Normal
Dep.
% Norm
1
2011
64.35
50.38
13.97
128
2
2018
63.74
50.38
13.36
127
3
1950
62.63
50.38
12.25
124
4
1979
62.58
50.38
12.20
124
5
2019
61.32
50.38
10.94
122
6
1935
58.38
50.38
8.00
116
7
2015
58.31
50.38
7.93
116
8
2020
58.11
50.38
7.73
115
9
1989
57.74
50.38
7.36
115
10
1972
57.08
50.38
6.70
113
Lexington June
00-21 Avg
5.5
6.5
17-21 Avg
4.0
5.0
Deviation
-1.5
-1.5
May 6.4
17-21 Avg Deviation
May 5.8
July
August
Sept
Annual
6.2
8.2
12.5
38.9
6.2
7.0
13.2
35.4
0.0
-1.2
0.7
-3.5
June
July
August
Sept
Annual
7.4
6.7
9.2
11.7
41.4
5.2
7.4
8.4
6.0
11.0
38.0
-1.2
0.0
1.7
-3.2
-0.7
-3.4
June
July
August
Sept
Annual
9.1
10.3
10.7
13.0
49.0
Bowling Green 00-21 Avg
Paducah
Data courtesy of Midwestern Regional Climate Center cli-MATE toolkit: https://mrcc.purdue.edu/CLIMATE/
00-21 Avg
Table 1. Commonwealth of Kentucky’s wettest years on record for the period of 1895 to 2020
The good news is that with proper grazing management, we should be able to grow more grass, extending our grazing season. The bad news is that it is becoming increasingly hard to make good quality dry hay. In the month of May, we have seen a net loss of baling days (Table 2). A baling day is the day that follows three consecutive
May
17-21 Avg
3.8
8.0
11.2
10.0
14.0
47.0
Deviation
-2.0
-1.1
0.9
-0.7
1.0
-2.0
*Based on 4-day window Data courtesy of Midwestern Regional Climate Center cli-MATE toolkit: https://mrcc.purdue.edu/CLIMATE/
Table 2. Baling days in the various region of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A baling day is the day following three consecutive curing days
Factors Impacting Hay Quality In table three I have outlined some of the major factors impacting hay quality. Out of all these factors, the single most important one is stage of maturity at harvest. It also seems like the one that we would have the most control over, right? So, the question becomes why are we aren’t we doing a better job at harvesting at late boot to early head stage? Like most difficult questions, there are several factors that impact our ability to harvest hay at the correct stage of maturity. These include off farm employment, forages and livestock are often secondary enterprises on full-time farms, old and poorly maintained equipment, and lastly, but most importantly poor curing conditions combined with heavy first cuttings. Practical Considerations for Improving Hay Quality
Figure 1. Annual precipitation change for the most recent and previous 30-year periods (1991 to 2020 and 1981 to 2101). Image courtesy of Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies. Available at https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/noaadelivers-new-us-climate-normals 34 • Cow Country • February
In this section, I would like to challenge you to think about simple and practical ways that you might improve hay quality on your farm. Below you will find a list of practical suggestions to help you get this dome. •
Fertilize and lime according to soil test. A balanced fertility program is essential for optimizing hay yield and quality.
the forage while it is still pliable helps to reduce leaf loss and maintain forage quality. Once the moisture content is below 40%, leaf loss increases, especially in legumes such as alfalfa and clover.
Available Bailing Days* Factor
Impact on Forage Quality
Importance
Species
Legumes > Grasses
Medium
Life Cycle
Annuals >Perennials
Minimum
Photosynthetic Pathway Cool Season > Warm Season
Minimum
Temperature
Low Temp > High Temp
Minimum
Fertilization
High Fert > Low Fertilization
Moderate for Crude Protein
Time of Day
Late Afternoon > Morning
Minimum
Stage of Maturity
Vegetative > Reproductive
High
Rainfall during Curing
No Rain > Rain
Moderate to High
Leaf loss during harvest
High Loss > Low Loss
Moderate to High
Storage conditions
Covered > Uncovered
Moderate
Data was adapted from Understanding Forage Quality by Don Ball and Colleagues.
Table 3. Factors impacting hay quality
Phosphorus, potassium, and lime should be applied according to soil test results. Avoid using “complete” fertilizers such as 10-1010. These fertilizers commonly over apply phosphorus and under apply potash. •
Apply nitrogen early to promote rapid spring growth. Applying 80 lb N/A in mid- to late March will promote early growth in hay meadows, resulting in higher first harvest yields with improved crude protein values.
•
Harvest at the boot stage. The single most important factor impacting forage quality is stage of maturity at harvest (Table 4). Hayfields should be mowed as soon as the grass reaches the late boot-stage. The boot stage occurs when the sheath of the flag leaf swells just prior to the emergence of the seed head. By making the first cutting in a timely manner, we will have time to make a leafy second cutting just prior to the summer months. Stage of Maturity
Crude Protein
Dry Matter Intake
Digestibility
Average Daily Gain
%
lb/day
%
lb/day
Late Boot
13.8
13.0
68
1.39
Early Bloom
10.2
11.7
66
0.97
Seed Forming
7.6
8.6
56
0.42
Adapted from AGR-62, Quality Hay Production by G.D. Lacefield, J.C. Henning, M. Collins and L. Swetnam. UK Cooperative Extension Service, Lexington
Table 4. Impact of stage of maturity on the yield and digestibility of grasses and legumes. Harvest when the grass reached the boot stage
•
Mow early in day. Some studies have shown that sugars tend to be highest in late afternoon, making this the optimal time of day to cut. However, in high rainfall environment like Kentucky, maximizing curing time is the highest priority. Therefore, hay should be mowed in mid to late morning after the dew has dried off.
•
Use mower-conditioner. Conditioning the stems allows for moisture to escape at a faster rate. This shortens curing time and improves your chances of avoiding rain. Conditioning is especially important on first cutting grasses, summer annual grasses, and legumes, all of which tend to have larger stems.
•
Set swath on mower-conditioner to the widest possible setting. Maximizing the swath width decreases curing or wilting time by exposing a larger portion of the forage to direct sunlight.
•
Rake or ted at 40-50% moisture content. Raking and tedding
•
Bale at 18-20% moisture. Baling in this moisture range inhibits mold growth and reduces heating. Avoid baling hay that is excessively dry due to high levels of leaf loss and hay that is above 20% moisture due to heating and potential hay fires.
•
Store under cover and off the ground. Protecting hay from weathering helps to reduce dry matter losses and maintain forage quality. Much of the weathering damage is a result of the hay bale wicking moisture up from the ground. So, storing hay off the ground can greatly reduce deterioration. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 This month’s FEATURED EVENT is Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference in Bowling Green on February 24 at the Warren County Extension Office. More information at https://forages.ca.uky.edu/ and clicking on “UPCOMING EVENTS”. This month’s FEATURED VIDEO is: is Long-term weather trends and implications for grazing operations in the mid-south by Matthew Dixon. This video can be found in the KYForages YouTube Channel (https://bit.ly/3Gyb2FO). This month’s FEATURED PUBLICATION is "Understanding Forage Quality” by Don Ball and colleagues. It can be accessed at https://forages.ca.uky.edu/files/foragequality. pdf or by visiting your local extension office. FENCING TIP Grounding system. For an electric fence to work properly, current from the fence must travel though the animal into the ground and back to the energizer. The grounding system works as an “antenna” to collect this current and complete the circuit. Most of the problems associated with low voltage on an electric fence are caused by a poorly constructed grounding system. Grounding systems should have a minimum of 3 galvanized grounding rods, 10 feet apart, 6 feet in the ground, all connected with a single galvanized wire running from the energizer. For very large energizers or very dry conditions more grounding rods may be needed. FORAGE MANAGEMENT TIPS • Continue grazing stockpiled tall fescue if available. • Begin frost seeding with 6-8 lb/A red and 1-2 lb/A ladino white clover on closely grazed pastures. • On pastures with lower fertility, consider adding 10-15 lb/A annual lespedeza to the above recommendation. • Consider applying 40-50 lb/A nitrogen in mid- to lateFebruary on some pastures to promote early growth. • Service and calibrate no-till drills. • Apply any needed lime and fertilizer. • Make plans to attend the Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference in Bowling Green, KY on February 24, 2022.
February • Cow Country • 35
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 •
•
Apply nitrogen following the first cutting. Following a timely first harvest, apply 60 lb N/A to stimulate regrowth. With adequate rainfall, a second harvest can be made approximately 30 days after the first harvest.
•
Allow hayfields to go into summer with some regrowth. Make sure to allow cool-season hayfields to go into summer with at least 5-6 inches of regrowth. This will shade the crown of the plant, moderating its temperature, and reduce soil moisture losses.
•
•
MAYHAVEN FARM
Do not cut hay fields too close. If not properly adjusted, disc mowers can cut very close to the soil surface and this can cause significant as damage to coolseason grass stands. Do NOT mow perennial cool-season grass stands closer than 3-4 inches.
Apply nitrogen in late summer. As the temperatures moderate in late summer and early fall, apply 60 lb N/A to stimulate fall growth. This growth can be grazed or harvested as needed. Allow plants time to replenish carbohydrates in the fall. Make sure and time fall hay cuttings to allow stand to regrow and replenish their carbohydrates prior to winter dormancy.
Bale Silage The single largest opportunity for decreasing the period between mowing and baling is the use of bale silage. This method of hay preservation allows us to cut one day and bale and wrap the following day. This tool has most potential for improving hay quality since it allows us to harvest at the correct growth stage (Table 3). I think that it is important to recognize that this method is not perfect. There is an increased cost for wrapping the bales of around $20 per ton of dry matter. Then we need to get rid of the plastic wrap in an environmentally sound manner. I know what you are thinking, and it is my Dad’s favorite go to, but burning the plastic wrap is not a viable option. One of the advantages of wrapping bales that we don’t talk enough about is that that we have eliminated the need for building a hay shed. If you are interested in learning more about the use of bale silage to improve forage quality on your farm, watch for the next issue of Cow Country!
EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH A SEED. Let us help you choose the right one.
2022 Mayhaven Farm Seed Days All seed, twine, silage wrap, mineral and other farm supplies are discounted for big savings. Let us help you develop a seeding plan for your farm that lowers your cost and insures availability of vital inputs. Call, text, email or stop by the farm February 14 through March 4.
Mayhaven Farm 2000 Ky Hwy 643 Waynesburg, KY 40489
27th Annual Bulls & More Sale
12:30 p.m. • March 5, 2022 • Bradford, TN
BoPat Exclusive 0118 Sire: Musgrave 316 Exclusive MGS: EXAR Upshot 0562B
BoPat Cavalry 0131 Sire: T/D Cavalry 761 MGS: Basin Resolve 31U1
BoPat Deborah 806
Sire: Baldridge Bronc MGS: AAR Ten X 7008 SA Has a 11/16/21 bull calf by T/D Jackpot 955. Will sell bred to T/D Double Vision 9714.
Selling 45 Angus Bulls 35 Registered Angus Females Sale Managed by:
517.546.6374 www.cotton-associates.com
36 • Cow Country • February
Jim: (606) 669-1651
Trevor: (859) 339-0088 mayhavenfarm@gmail.com
BoPat Farms 140 Milan Hwy • Bradford, TN 38316 Larry Patterson • 731-420-2697 Peyton Pruett • 731-988-8470 e-mail: bopat@tennesseetel.net
Spring Sale February 19, 2022
11 a.m. at the farm in Ridge Spring, SC
SELLING 200 BULLS & 100 FEMALES Forage-Developed Angus Cattle
Select Offering of SimAngus & Ultrablack Cattle Long Yearling Bulls • 3-N-1 Fall Pairs • Bred Cows • Bred Heifers Yon Top Cut J716
CED +11 WW +85 YW +149 MARB +1.20 RE +1.27 $M +82 $W +82 $B +205 $C +348
AAA 20018013
Yon Burgess H1244
CED +11 WW +80 YW +154 MARB +.73 RE +.85 $M +104 $W +89 $B +172 $C +327
Yon Top Cut x Black Granite
Growth Fund x Yon Future Focus
Yon Blackbird F1202
Yon Chattooga J448
CED +5 WW +87 YW +157 MARB +1.12 RE +.84 $M +92 $W +93 $B +209 $C +363
AAA 19824046
AAA 20017461
Yon Chattooga x Proactive
Free bull delivery with $5,000 total bull purchases
CED +6 WW +71 YW +130 MARB +.66 RE +.40 $M +97 $W +96 $B +151 $C +293
AAA 19312175
Payweight 1682 x Yon FA W494 Sells with Yon Top Cut heifer calf at side
Special Feature • ET Fall Heifer Calf Maternal sister to Yon Top Cut, sired by SG Salvation
Yon Sarah K653 • AAA 20232263
Kevin Yon 803-622803622-41 4140 40 Sally Harrison 803-312-4837
Lydia Yon 803-622803622-8597 8597 Corbin Yon 803-480-2307
Drake Yon 803-622803622-5015 5015 Michael Jensen 336-769-6700
www.yonfamilyfarms.com
February • Cow Country • 37 lydia@yonfamilyfarms.com
More Than $70,000 Awarded For Farmer-Appreciation Projects 1 6 G R A N T S AWA R D E D F O R P R O J E C T S AC R O S S T H E S TAT E The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is awarding more than $70,000 for farmer-appreciation projects across the state, Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles has announced.
based farmer appreciation programs that will promote the many contributions of farmers and their families and to appreciate the various challenges farmers face working in agriculture.
“Farmers have a tough job – a job that often goes unappreciated,” Commissioner Quarles said. “The goal of these grants is to fund projects that will raise awareness in our communities about the work farmers do each and every day, giving farmers the appreciation they need to know what they do matters.”
A total of 44 applications were received and 16 projects were awarded. The proposed projects were reviewed by a committee.
The grants are funded by part of a $500,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to KDA this year. The overall scope of the $500,000 grant will allow KDA to expand on the “Raising Hope – Supporting Healthy Lives on Kentucky Farms” campaign. The endeavor, which partners KDA with state universities and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, focuses strategies on the mental and physical health of agricultural producers by increasing awareness of the issue, normalizing the discussion of the topic, reducing the stigma of seeking help, and showing farmer appreciation. A total of $75,000 of the overall funds was available for small grants, up to $5,000 each, to be awarded to create and conduct local farmerappreciation projects. The awarded projects will support community-
Don't let this be your last issue of
Cow Country Renew your membership today! visit kycattle.org or call
(859) 278-0899 38 • Cow Country • February
The grants were awarded to: • Bourbon County Farm Bureau • Bracken County Farm Bureau • Burgin Independent FFA • Casey County Farm Bureau and FFA • Great Crossing High School FFA • Kentucky Aquaculture Association • LaRue County Beef Cattle Inc. • Madisonville North Hopkins FFA • Magoffin County Extension • Mercer County Farm Bureau • Monroe County District Cooperative Extension • Morgan County Cooperative Extension • Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture • Patricia Ritter and Charlotte Cash • Wayne County Conversation District • Whitley County Cooperative Extension
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Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees Know a Kentucky farmer or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2022 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award®. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 23 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Kentucky, the $10,000 award is presented annually with the Kentucky Agricultural Council and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ ApplyLCA. The application deadline date is April 1, 2022. The committee prefers application materials to be sent electronically. Applications can be emailed to colemansteve51@gmail.com or postmarked by April 1, and mailed to: Leopold Conservation Award c/o Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts P.O. Box 4027 • Frankfort, KY 40601-4027 This will be the tenth Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award. The first was presented to Sherwood Acres Farm of LaGrange in 2013. F.L. Sipes Farms of Ekron received the award in 2021. “Recipients of this award are real life examples of conservation-minded agriculture,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation president and CEO. “These hard-working families are essential to our environment, food system and rural economy.” 40 • Cow Country • February
“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of farmers, ranchers and forestland owners,” said John Piotti, AFT president and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.” The Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support and partnership of American Farmland Trust, Kentucky Agricultural Council, Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, Sand County Foundation, U.S Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Farm Credit Mid-America, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, Kentucky Pork Producers, Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, Kentucky Tree Farm Committee, Kentucky Woodland Owner’s Association, and University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org. LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont). www. leopoldconservationaward.org SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION Sand County Foundation inspires and empowers a growing number of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and
forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www. sandcountyfoundation.org AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through its No Farms, No Food message. Since its founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and supported thousands of farm families. www.farmland.org KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL The Kentucky Agricultural Council is a 501(c)(3) organization consisting of some 80 agricultural organizations representing all sectors of Kentucky agriculture. The membership is composed of commodity groups, state and federal agricultural organizations, agricultural trade organizations and the state’s institutions of higher education that serve Kentucky agriculture. The KAC functions as an umbrella group and hub for its members, disseminating information and promoting coordination among all agricultural organizations and sectors. Since 2006, the KAC also has served as the “steward of strategic planning” for the future of Kentucky agriculture and Kentucky’s rural communities. www. kyagcouncil.net. KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS The Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts is a 501(c)(3) organization consisting of Kentucky’s local conservation districts and watershed conservancy districts. KACD encourages the exchange of information relating to the administration and operation of conservation districts and watershed conservancy districts; to affect cooperation between districts and agencies and organizations concerned with any and all phases of soil and water conservation; to promote the welfare of conservation districts and watershed conservancy districts and the people therein; and to maintain strong and active membership in both KACD and the National Association of Conservation Districts. www.kyconservation. com
3.26.22 Selling
Sale will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Paris Stockyards in Paris, KY
40+ simmental & sim-angus breeding-age bulls & bred heifers
811H
822H
H051 H001
STEPHENS BEEF CATTLE 606.782.7640
ROCKING P LIVESTOCK, LLC 606.584.5626 | 606.584.7581 February • Cow Country • 41
UK to Host IPM Training School March 9 Katie Pratt University of Kentucky University of Kentucky specialists will discuss the latest research on integrated pest management during the IPM Training School. The one-day school is March 9 beginning at 8 a.m. CT at the Christian County Extension office in Hopkinsville. Participants may also join via Zoom. The training is divided between a grain crops-focused session in the morning and a horticulture session in the afternoon. In each session, participants will receive information on the latest UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment research, new technology and trends. The morning sessions will feature presentations from UK specialists in soils, entomology, water quality, plant diseases and forages. Among the presentations are ways to manage challenging soybean
42 • Cow Country • February
diseases and an update on the edge-offield water quality monitoring program that UK is conducting in Western Kentucky. UK specialists in entomology, plant diseases, horticulture and vegetable production will present during the horticulture session. Topics include limiting pests in fruit and vegetable production using exclusion netting and management of persistent soil-borne fungi in vegetables. “With high input costs expected during 2022, using IPM is a proven way to optimize nutrient and pesticide inputs while maintaining high yields,” said Ric Bessin, UK extension entomologist. “This meeting will expose participants to recent research conducted at UK to advance field crop and horticultural cropping systems.”
Whether they plan to attend virtually or in person, individuals should register for the meeting at https://bit.ly/3HQZqxX. The training offers continuing education units for pesticide applicators and Certified Crop Advisors. In the grain crops session, applicators may receive two general hours and one specific hour in categories 1A and 10. Certified Crop Advisors may receive the following continuing education units: one in nutrient management, one in integrated pest management and 0.5 in soil and water. For the horticulture session, pesticide applicators may receive one general and one specific hour in categories 1A and 10. Certified Crop Advisors may receive 2.5 hours in integrated pest management.
February • Cow Country • 43
Producer Support of Beef Checkoff Remains Strong Jerry Bohn Preesident, National Cattlemen's Beef Association More than 35 years ago beef producers came together to develop a program to drive demand for beef, and the Checkoff they created continues today stronger than ever. Cattle producers have accomplished great things for the industry by working together to direct Checkoff investments. The Beef Checkoff belongs to the cattlemen and cattlewomen who pay and direct it, and they have the right to decide the future of this great program. The Beef Promotion and Research Act makes it very clear that cattle producers can utilize a grassroots petition process to determine whether the Checkoff continues. In July 2020 a petition was started to call for a referendum on the Checkoff ’s future. Last month, the overwhelming support that producers have for the Beef Checkoff was evident when efforts to collect signatures fell far short of the number needed to trigger a referendum. When it comes down to it, I see this as a de facto referendum, with 95 percent of producers supporting the Checkoff by not signing the petition. Producers, your voices are being heard loud and clear. You have demonstrated your undeniable support for the Beef Checkoff and the valuable role it plays in our industry.
44 • Cow Country • February
It’s now time for our industry to put these divisive efforts behind us and move forward with the business of building beef demand. Without the Beef Checkoff, producerdirected programs that share our story and promote beef would disappear, and cattle producers would be left without a connection to consumers. The Beef Checkoff has a long track record of solid returns for each dollar invested, and continues to use producer dollars wisely for research, education and promotion. Here are a few examples of your Beef Checkoff at work: • The Beef Quality Assurance program training farmers and ranchers on best practices and cattle management techniques to ensure their animals and the environment are cared for within a standard set of guidelines across the U.S. beef industry. • Product quality research improving beef quality, consistency, value and demand through research of muscle traits and characterization, carcass traits, muscle tenderness and yield, flavor and palatability, and new technologies. • Nutrition research defending beef ’s position in heart healthy
diets using a strong foundation of science and helping consumers discover the benefits of beef to health across the life span. • Sustainability research providing the tools necessary to share beef ’s positive sustainability story with consumers and media. • The iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® brand bringing beef to life for generations of consumers through traditional advertising, influencer outreach and social media. • The Masters of Beef Advocacy program bridging the widening chasm between producers and consumers and helping farmers and ranchers share their stories and advocate knowledgeably for the beef industry. For more than three decades, beef producers who fund and direct the investments of the Checkoff have made smart decisions that continue to educate consumers, build demand and conduct the necessary research that keeps consumers choosing beef. Now that the petition drive has failed, beef producers can continue to invest in the Beef Checkoff Program and support efforts that will keep beef in the center of the plate now and in the future.
Bovine
1
Beauties TOP PEOPLE
2
4
5 3
46 • Cow Country • February
1. Amber Hancock and Gina Perkins Mercer County 2. Kyle Wooton Madison County 3. Emily Ellis Mercer County 4. Sarah Jarvis Bourbon County
7 6
5. Elaina Janes LaRue County 6. Emily Ellis Mercer County
8
7. Katey Skees LaRue County 8. Christy Wayman and Veronica Hay Hardin County 9. Kelsey Whaley Scott County 10. Jerry Miller Graves County
9
10
February • Cow Country • 47
Bovine Beauties
2
TOP SCENES 1
4 3
5 48 • Cow Country • February
6 1. Sarah Jarvis Bourbon County 2. Kim Bush Harrison County 3. Miranda Dearing Lewis County 4. SaraVard Logan Von Gruenigen Garrard County 5. Walter Steely Webster County 6. McKenzie Hays Madison County
7
7. Miranda Dearing Lewis County 8. Tori Embry Grayson County 9. Tori Embry Grayson County 10. Hannah Ray Bracken County
9
8
10 February • Cow Country • 49
Thank you to all participants!
See more submissions on our Facebook page and in future issues of Cow Country!
Amber Hancock Mercer County
Amy Taylor Spencer County
Steve Kincer Madison County
Amy Riley Washington County
Madelyn Bennett Henderson County
Kyle Wooten Madison County
Heather Graham Wolfe County
Van Adams Lincoln County
Charlene Durbin Edmonson County
Monica Fryman Robertson County
Sarah Jarvis Bourbon County
Holly Crum Harrison County
Kim Bush Harrison County
Christy Wayman Hardin County
Nikki Smith Casey County
Elaina Janes LaRue County
Kimberly Thompson Lawrence County
Miranda Dearing Lewis County
Emily Jeffiers Spencer County
Reed Graham Wolfe County
Emily Ellis Mercer County
Lisa Stinson Owen County
SaraVard Logan Von Gruenigen Garrard County
Joanna Porter Warren County
Rose Farris Christian County
Katey Skees LaRue County
Lucia Kincer Madison County
Walter Steely Webster County
Karen Nolan Taylor Grayson County
Ross Crum Harrison County
Christy Wayman & Veronica Hay Hardin County
Megan Peterson Madison County
McKenzie Hays Madison County
Katey Skees LaRue County
Sherry Ragsdale Oldham County
Kelsey Whaley Scott County
Melanie Downey Green County
Tori Embry Grayson County
Krista Rankin Lincoln County
Taylor Eastridge LaRue County
Jerry Miller Graves County
Rhonda Laney Lewis County
Hannah Ray Bracken County
Lanie Downey Green County
Tonya Cherry Allen County
50 • Cow Country • February
February • Cow Country • 51
Dear Cow Country Reader, My name is Chevy-Lynn Vaske, and I am the 2022 Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association President. I am the 19-year-old daughter of Bill and Anita Vaske of Glencoe, Kentucky where we currently run a small cow calf operation. I would like to encourage any young person interested in the beef industry to join this organization. We work to have fun events, so just give it a try! You can keep up with what is going on with the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association by reading the latest issue of Cow Country, or by following us on social media. The Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association provides us the opportunity to meet and spend time with others that have the same passions and interests. Participate where you can and I just know you’ll be glad that you did! I can’t speak highly enough of the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association. I have been blessed to travel with the group myself and continue to learn more and more from each event and person I meet. We would love to have you join us. I look forward to meeting you in 2022! Sincerely, Chevy Vaske
52 • Cow Country • February
How Will The Drought Impact The USDA Cattle Reports? Derrell S. Peel Oklahoma State University, Department of Agricultural Economics In addition to the monthly Cattle on Feed report on January 21, USDA will issue the annual Cattle report on January 31. This report provides January 1 cattle inventories for a variety of cattle classes as well as the calf crop total for the previous year with a complete breakdown for all states. The report may also include revisions to values reported previously, which can complicate interpretation of the report. This report follows the July Cattle report which provides national numbers for the same inventory categories but is based on a smaller survey and does not include individual state values. The July report provided the first estimate of the 2021 calf crop. The report provides confirmation of what did happen last year and provides some information that helps to shape expectations for this year. For example, there is little doubt that the beef cow herd is smaller compared to a year ago. The general feeling among analysts seems to be that the herd likely decreased 1.5-2.0 percent in 2021, with some possibility that the decrease was over 2 percent. The level of beef cow slaughter in 2021 was up 9.1 percent year over year leading to a culling rate of 11.44 percent for the year, the highest since 2011. In 2011, the beef cow herd decreased 2.04 percent. However, the net change in the beef cow herd in
2021 depends also on what happened with beef replacement heifers. On January 1, 2021, the number of beef replacement heifers was 18.7 percent of the beef cow herd. This level of replacement heifers indicates neither significant herd liquidation nor does it suggest aggressive expansion. In the last two decades the beef replacement heifer percentage has varied from a low of 16.6 percent in 2011 (liquidation) to a high of 21.0 percent in 2016 (expansion) and has averaged 18.2 percent. Comparing once again to 2011, the inventory of replacement heifers in 2021 was well above the level that year. The replacement heifer inventory consists of both bred heifers (coming first-calf heifers) and heifer calves in development for breeding. The inventory of heifers calving was much higher in absolute terms last year compared to 2011. This likely means that some of the additional cow culling in 2021 was offset by more bred heifers entering the herd. The heifer calves portion of the replacement heifers from one year ago may well have been diverted to feeder markets but many of the sizable inventory of bred heifers likely entered the herd somewhere. All of this discussion is complicated by the drought conditions in 2021which impacted what
producers had to do as opposed to what they would like to do. The same may be true in 2022. It’s hard to anticipate the number of replacement heifers in the upcoming report because continuing drought conditions is likely restricting what some producers are able to do It is also possible that some producers outside of drought areas are holding a few extra replacement heifers to speculate on rebuilding demand in 2022. Of course, drought conditions going forward will determine if that is successful or not.The northern plains regions that have been and continue to be in severe drought are areas that normally hold a higher percentage of replacement heifers compared to the rest of the country. They may not be able to do so going into 2022. If heifer calves from one year ago were diverted to feeder markets, the inventory of bred heifers in the upcoming report may be lower. The remainder of the replacement heifer inventory is heifer calves, which could be up if producers are trying to compensate for fewer bred heifers but, again, it’s not clear that the continuing drought conditions is allowing more replacement heifer calves to be held. It seems likely that the inventory of beef replacement heifers will be significantly lower in this report.
Blue Grass Lexington CPH Sales Tuesday, March 15, 2022 9:00 AM
Cattle Received Monday, March 14, 2022 11 am—5 pm
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 9:00 AM
Cattle Received Monday, June 6, 2022 11 am—5 pm
LIVESTOCK MARKETING GROUP Blue Grass Albany 1274 Hwy 90 W Albany, KY 42602 606-387-4681 Bret Carver, Manager 270-459-0724
Blue Grass East-Mt. Sterling 3025 Owingsville Road Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 859-498-9625 Jeff Copher, Manager 859-229-7587
Blue Grass Lexington 4561 Iron Works Pike, Ste 100 Lexington, KY 40511 859-255-7701 Jeremy Shryock, Manager 859-967-6479
Blue Grass Richmond 348 K Street Richmond, KY 40475 859-623-1280 Jim Dause, Manager 859-314-7211
Blue Grass Campbellsville 265 Airport Road Campbellsville, KY 42719 270-465-4051 Ronnie Choate, Manager 270-766-8240
Blue Grass Internet Sales 4561 Iron Works Pike, Ste 100 Lexington, KY 40511 859-255-7701 Adam Menker, Manager 419-310-5344
Blue Grass Maysville 7124 AA Hwy E Maysville, KY 41056 606-759-7280 Corey Story, Manager 606-209-1543
Blue Grass South-Stanford 277 Cordier Lane Stanford, KY 40484 606-365-0665 David Holt, Manager 502-680-0797
Let us help with your livestock marketing decisions! bgstockyards.com February • Cow Country • 53
New Virtual Platform Allows Farmers To Help Farmers The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is joining other land-grant institutions to bring a new online platform to assist farmers in improving their on-farm practices. In conjunction with Mississippi State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Arkansas and University of Illinois, the platform allows farmers to access and submit videos and podcasts aimed at 54 • Cow Country • February
getting started and having success with soil health and regenerative practices. One Good Idea was created to increase farmer-to-farmer learning about methods to improve soil, land and finances. Topics cover an array of subjects such as cover crops, conservation tillage, rotational grazing and nutrient management. “One Good Idea is a great spot for farmers to learn from other farmers about what
has worked or hasn’t, as well as benefits from certain practices,” said Amanda Gumbert, UK extension specialist for water quality. “Farmers are generally less hesitant to try practices recommended by other farmers. We don’t really interfere. We just step back and let the farmers do the talking. We want to make it easier for farmers to connect and learn from each other.” One Good Idea accepts video or idea
submissions from farmers or organizations eager to share how they implement soil health and regenerative methods on their operations to assist other farmers considering similar practices. These submissions are then verified by extension professionals to ensure validity before posting to the website. “This new platform is laid out where you can find information based on specific crops and location,” Gumbert said. “So, for instance, you can narrow down videos and podcasts to those specifically about topics such as forages or soybeans or vegetables. There is also a search bar where farmers can type in the subject they are hoping to learn more about. You can also pull recommendations and advice from farmers only from certain states, so producers can specifically see what is working in their area.” To further promote idea sharing among producers, One Good Idea is running a social media campaign with the hashtag #WhatsYourGoodIdea on Facebook and Twitter. Gumbert is encouraging farmers and agriculture industry professionals, such as extension agents, farm advisors and conservation professionals, to participate. Those wishing to learn more about the program can visit http://www. goodideafarm.org. One Good Idea is a project of SERA46, a committee that includes the land-grant universities involved in the project and is focused on research and extension to improve water quality in the Mississippi River Basin and shrink the Hypoxic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made One Good Idea possible.
C
2 0 2 1 P R O D U C T IO N S
BLACK
COLOR
March 20th, 2021 1pm Eastern is the
A
Locat 2616 Hw
T
2022 PRODUCTION SALE
March 19th – Viewing of cattle | Live bluegrass music Vendor and sponsor booths Prize drawings and evening meals
The most complete and elite Black Hereford Cattle event in the breed!
March 19, 2022 85 lots 1:00pm (EST)Approximately 28 coming 2 years stout Black Hereford Bu 9Friday Open Heifers March 18th 10 open show prospect Haltered heifers Cattle viewing / live bluegrass music, industry Representatives, 15 young bred cows and 3 in ones seminar, prize drawings, and evening meal 23 Bred Heifers Saturday March 19th
Viewing of cattle We would like to personally invite everyo
to be with us for both days. This is not jus Lunch 11:30 am (EST)
another cattle sale, It is the Black Herefo
Sale time 1:00pm (EST) event of the year! You don’t want to miss
Triple T Farms 2616 Hwy 1664 Nancy, Kentucky this. We hope 42544 that you will join us. Tim and Teresa
view all lots and videos at www.tripletblackcattle.com
*Nashville, TN and Lexington, KY Airports For more information or to request a catalog *Special hotel rates
606-305-2289
*View all the lots and videos on our website –
tripletblackherefords@gmail.com
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APPROXIMATELY 100 LOTS * For more information or to request a catalog –
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Several Kentucky Counties Eligible For Low-Interest USDA Loans To Repair Agricultural Damage FRANKFORT (Jan. 11, 2022) – Several Kentucky counties affected by the December 2021 storms that produced tornadoes and high winds in Western Kentucky are now eligible for lowinterest loans from the U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA), Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles recently announced. “Both my office and I have been on the ground in western Kentucky and witnessed the historic and devastating destruction that hit the region last month,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Our farmers need funds and resources to maintain operations and rebuild. The low-interest loans offered by USDA may help some get back on their feet and regain some sense of normalcy.” The loan-interest loans offered by USDA are for physical losses and can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay. USDA designated 24 Kentucky counties as primary eligibility areas for low-interest physical loss loans. They include: Barren Boyle Breckinridge Caldwell Christian Edmonson Fulton
Graves Grayson Green Hardin Hart Hickman Hopkins
Logan Lyon Marion Marshall McLean Muhlenberg Ohio
Spencer Taylor Warren
The USDA has also designated 29 counties as contiguous and also eligible. They include: Adair Allen Anderson Bullitt Butler Calloway Carlisle Casey
Crittenden Daviess Garrard Hancock Henderson Jefferson LaRue Lincoln
Livingston McCracken Meade Mercer Metcalfe Monroe Nelson Shelby
Simpson Todd Trigg Washington Webster
On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.
Your local, trusted source of Livestock Marketing, Credit and Risk Management.
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Little York, Ind. Weekly Auction: Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST Ryan Batt • (812) 620-0769 2022 Scholarship Program Offering 10 - $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Check our website for requirements and to apply! Visit us online at www.uproducers.com or find us on Facebook!
The deadline to apply for the loans is Aug. 30, 2022. February • Cow Country • 57
The 2022 KCA Convention was in Lexington, KY January 13-14, 2022. Approximately 700 producers, educators and industry professionals joined KCA for the 49th convention.
Efficiency Conference, Opening General Session, Forages Session, Legislative Update, and Closing Session. After the drawings were complete, tickets were combined for a chance to win 1 Weber
Cooperative Extension Service. The conference hosted an impressive list of guest speakers including Dr. David Lalman, Oklahoma State University; Dr. Dan Thomson, Iowa State University; and Don Schiefelbein, Schiefelbein Farms. Speakers discussed “Adapting Production Decisions to Fit Available Resources”. Trade Show Welcome Lunch The convention kicked off in the Trade Show on Thursday with a lunch chili bar for attendees and visiting with Trade Show exhibitors.
Registration Registration opened early Thursday morning and helped to keep the lines down. Over 400 people pre-registered this year. By pre-registering it ensures a smooth check-in while giving KCA staff time to plan accordingly for events and meals during the convention. To say thanks for pre-registering each registrant received a convention t-shirt. Two preregistration drawings were also held for Cabela’s Gift Cards and the winners were Cayeann Cowan, Robertson County, and Danny Jackson, Breckinridge County Attendees that completed pre- or on-site full registration were also given five tickets for $100 cash drawings during the Beef
58 • Cow Country • February
Grill. The winner of the grill was Ashley Holloway, Logan county. Trade Show The Ag Industry trade show was a great success this year. There were 60 exhibitors to share their products with our members. More information about the trade show can be found on page 74. Thanks to everyone who participated in the trade show. Hope to see everyone at the 2023 Ag Industry Trade Show in Lexington. Beef Efficiency Conference This was the 9th Annual Beef Efficiency Conference hosted by Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky
Opening General Session The Opening General Session began on Thursday afternoon with KCA President, Chris Cooper from Madison County welcoming everyone to the new Central Bank Center in Lexington. Following with a video celebrating 35 years of federal Checkoff investments along with commercials from our platinum sponsors: Superior Ag Insurance, Blue Grass Marketing Group, Anipro Xtraformance Nutrition, Meade Tractor, and Tarter. Alison Smith then presented the Kentucky Beef Council Annual Report, the Kentucky Beef Council (KBC) has had a busy year putting checkoff dollars to work! Aligning with the national checkoff focus, KBC works to share the Kentucky beef story by focusing on people, pleasure, and protein. KBC continues to utilize assets developed at the national level and also curates state specific content to extend in Kentucky wide programs. Next, Katelyn Hawkins presented the Beef Solutions Annual Report, showcasing insight into the
production process of Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef. Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman gave a report from the Governor’s Office highlighting their support of tornado relief efforts and the support of agriculture programs. Dr. Katie Flynn, Kentucky State Veterinarian addressed the group about how her office is supporting Kentucky cattle producers. Becky Thompson gave the Kentucky Beef Network’s Annual Report highlighting the 20th Anniversary of KBN along with investments from the Kentucky Agriculture Development Funds it has used to execute beef producer education and marketing opportunities.
allowing Dave Maples to wrap up with an annual report for KCA outlining a year full of activities. Regional reports were given from meetings held that morning and election of the 2022 KCA officers followed. New officers include Cary King, President; Andy Bishop, President Elect; Jeff Pettit, Vice- President; Ken Adams, Secretary/ Treasurer; and Chris Cooper, KCA Past President.
Lexington, KY encouraged attendees to embrace and share their brand whether that be a personal or professional brand emphasizing the importance of knowing who you are and sharing that with your community to form lasting bonds with consumers. Chelsey from Slippery Rock Signs in Owenton, KY walked the ladies through creating stunning Welcome signs for their homes. Creativity soared as a
County President’s Breakfast County Presidents and their guests were honored at the County President’s Awards Breakfast this year at Convention. Kentucky Cattlemen’s red jackets and cash prizes were awarded counties that increased their membership significantly in 2021. Guests heard from Dave Maples, KCA Executive VP, who spoke on the importance of a strong cattlemen’s network. The breakfast
ended with a presentation of the “Big Bull” award, which honored Barren County for having the largest membership in the state last year with 472 members. Congratulations again to all the County Associations and we look forward to seeing who comes out on top next year. Closing Session Don Schiefelbein, President Elect of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, opened the Closing Session with a discussion on current highlights from NCBA and why it is important to become an NCBA Member. Dr. Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner, discussed current state issues in the cattle industry and highlights from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Ken Adams, KCA Treasurer, gave the financial report for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. Carey Brown presented a video update on KCA Communication efforts which included Cow Country News, Livestock Advertising Network, and other communication efforts
Forages The Kentucky Forage and Grasslands Council held the Annual Forages at KCA Program. This year the Program was entitled “Weathering High Fertilizer Prices”. The agenda included a Welcome from Dr. Chris Teutsch with the University of Kentucky, Nick Roy from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension discussing Hay Feeding Strategies to Build Fertility in Grazing Systems; Legumes as Part of Profitable Ruminant Livestock Systems by Dr. Jimmy Henning, UK Plant & Soil Sciences and Strategies for Improving Fertilizer Use Efficiency by Dr. John Grove, UK Research and Education Center. Ladies Program Nearly 70 women gathered for this year's annual Ladies Program. This year the ladies learned the importance of creating your personal/professional brand as well as crafted stunning Welcome signs. Theresa Stanley from Smiley Pete Publishing in
variety of cow breeds were painted making each sign as unique as the lady that painted it. Attendees were proud to have a piece of convention to take home with them, but most importantly they enjoyed the fellowship of being among other Kentucky cattlewomen for an afternoon of fun and good conversations Evening Banquet Friday night finished up with a wonderful steak dinner, awards, and the Foundation auction. Awards were given to Superior Ag Insurance, Blue Grass Marketing Group, Anipro Xtraformance Nutrition, Meade Tractor, and Tarter, the Platinum Sponsors of the KCA Convention. All other sponsors were also recognized. A complete list is on page 75. The 2022 Hall of Fame class was inducted and the winners included: Gary Woodall, Region 1; Kenneth Lowe, Region 2; Tom McGinnis, Region 3; Charles Wills, Region 4; and Dr. David Williams, Region 5.
February • Cow Country • 59
Please see page 64 for a complete release. Sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America, the 2022 Heifer Initiative Awards were also given at the Banquet. This award allows students to purchase a heifer from a KCA member in the state of Kentucky in the upcoming year. This year’s winners were Creighton Smith from Scott County, Beau Girdley from Spencer County, and Caleb Kernodle from Boyle County.
forward to many more occasions to share Kentucky’s beef farm family stories and commitment to raising high quality protein with consumers alongside DeAnn. The Kentucky Beef Council Service Awards This year Kentucky Beef Council recognized Ryan Miller and Andy Bishop for their outstanding service to Kentucky’s beef industry.
Congratulations to these students and best of luck in the coming year! After dinner and awards the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation auction was held. This year a total of $5,800 was raised during the live auction. The Kentucky Beef Council Outstanding Beef Education Service
DeAnn Stephens Cox can be heard weekday mornings on 98.1 The Bull or “Out and About” on local news stations highlighting Kentucky’s greatest people, events, and places. Kentucky Beef Council knows DeAnn as a go-to beef-loving advocate who is always willing to lend a helping hand in educating consumers about beef. DeAnn constantly seeks opportunities to include Kentucky Beef Council in numerous radio and television segments to share recipes, cooking tips, and facts about beef. We look
Ryan Miller represented Kentucky as a Cattlemen’s Beef Board member from 2015 – 2020. Ryan’s commitment to Kentucky’s beef industry runs deeper than his seat at CBB as he consistently offers his time to assist Kentucky Beef Council staff engage with consumers as well as Kentucky’s youth. Ryan is not only committed to raising quality cattle on his Marion County farm, he is also committed to encouraging young farmers to invest in their future as part of the Signing Day event at Kentucky FFA Convention in 2018. During this event, FFA members across Kentucky signed their commitment to strive toward becoming on of Kentucky’s 38,000 beef producers. We look forward to seeing how Ryan continues to shape and serve Kentucky’s beef industry and thank him for his dedication thus far. Andy Bishop served as Kentucky Beef
Council Chairman 2018-2020; however, his dedication to Kentucky’s beef industry was not limited to his time serving as Chairman. Andy has constantly offered to assist Kentucky Beef Council staff at consumer events from handing out informational materials to grilling hundreds of burgers for sampling to partaking in television and radio interviews. Whether Andy is representing Kentucky at national meetings for Cattlemen’s Beef Board and NCBA or having a casual conversation with someone at the gas station, his passion and commitment to the beef industry shines. We thank Andy for his dedication and look forward to how he continues to service Kentucky’s beef industry. KJCA The Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association had their annual membership meeting during the Convention. They had a large crowd with over 50 in attendance and had a full day of educational activities and tours. 4-H also hosted the Kentucky Livestock Quiz Bowl at convention this year. After lunch they ended the day with the election of new officers and directors. They will be meeting soon to plan out events for the upcoming year. More info on the KJCA at convention can be found on page 72.
LIVE AUCTION ITEMS
Thank you for your donations!
ITEM
DONATED BY
PURCHASED BY
Horseshoe Wooden Art (Johnny Gilbert)
Caldwell Lyon Cattmen's Association
Alonda Imbruglio
Handpainted Cow Print on Barn Wood
Bath County Cattlemen's Association
S&B Cattle Company
UK vs TN Men's Basketball Tickets
John Hill
Buchanan Registered Angus
Woodford Bourbon and Barrel
Fayette County Cattlemen's Association, Clark County Cattlemen's Association
Eugene Barber & Sons C & C Farms
Bourbon Barrel Stave Rocking Chair
Marion County Cattlemen's Association
Coles Bend Cattle Marion County Cattlemen's Association
60 • Cow Country • February
Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Elects 2022 Officers LEXINGTON, KY - Kentucky cattlemen from across the state voted for new officers during their Annual Convention held January 13-14 in Lexington, KY. Over 700 producers were on hand to see Cary King, a cattleman from Mercer County, elected to serve as the president for 2022. “I’m very excited about filling this prestigious position and I’m looking forward to serving in 2022,” said King. “I’m ready for the challenge.” King has years of service in the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, serving as a Region 1 Director from 2013-2016. King then served as Kentucky Beef Network Chairman from 2015-2020. Cary and his
wife, Representative Kim King, have an Angus seedstock operation of 60 cows situated across 240 acres in Mercer County. Other officers include President-Elect, Andy Bishop of Cox’s Creek, KY; Vice President, Jeff Pettit of Sebree, KY; Secretary/Treasurer, Ken Adams of Upton, KY; and Past President, Chris Cooper of Richmond, KY. Others on the Executive Committee include KCA Program Chair Daniel Hayden, Whitesville, KY; KBC Program Chair, Joe Lowe, Smith’s Grove, KY; and KBN Chairman, Allan Bryant, Eminence, KY. Regional vice presidents from across the
4-H Kentucky Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest Results Senior: 1) Spencer County 2) Fleming County 3) Wolfe County 4) Allen County 5) Washington County Fleming County Seniors
Scott County Juniors 3
state were elected by their regions at the convention including: Bobby Bell, Region 1; Adam Maulden, Region 2; Allan Bryant, Region 3; Randy Warner, Region 4; and Adam Chunglo, Region 5. KCA is an organization representing the state’s livestock industry on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The KCA mission is to provide a strong, proactive voice for all of Kentucky’s Beef Farm Families, serve as a resource for information and education for producers, consumers and the industry and be a catalyst for enhancing producer sustainability. You can find additional information at www. kycattle.org.
Spencer County Seniors
Junior: 1) Scott County 2 2) Scott County 1 3) Scott County 3 4) Spencer County Scott County Juniors 2
Wolfe County Seniors
Scott County Juniors 1
Spencer County Juniors
Allen County Seniors
February • Cow Country • 61
The 2020 County Presidents who exceeded membership in their county by 10 or more members received a red jacket
The 2020 top three counties per division in numerical increase received a cash award.
The 2021 top three counties per division in numerical increase received a cash award.
The 2020 top ten counties overall for membership totals
The 2021 top ten counties overall for membership totals
62 • Cow Country • February
Community We strive to foster a sense of belonging and unity among our members and stakeholders . Commitment We demonstrate a high degree of passion and dedication to our individual and organizational responsibilities and to our members.
Integrity Our daily actions and decisions are fulfilled with high ethical standards and are consistent with our Association’s values. Transparency We believe in communicating openly about our industry, our organization and its activities.
The 2021 County Presidents who exceeded membership in their county by 10 or more members received a red jacket.
Joe Mike Moore accepted the 2020 and 2021 Big Bull award for Barren County
Stewardship We recognize our responsibility as stewards to carefully manage the resources entrusted to us by our members and industry partners.
Innovation We proactively anticipate the needs of our members and community and strive to develop creative new solutions to meet the needs of the beef industry.
As a member, you’re among more than 10,000 cattlemen and cattlewomen across the state who bring a unified voice for Kentucky’s cattle industry. Your membership strengthens the association and helps ensure our success for future generations.
Not a member?
Learn more by visiting https://kycattle.org/joinnow.html
KCA Names 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees Carey Brown Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Five deserving cattlemen were honored during this year’s Evening Banquet at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention in Lexington, KY. Gary Woodall, Kenneth Lowe, Tom McGinnis, Charles Wills and Dr. David Williams were the association’s 2022 Hall of Fame inductees. Gary Woodall has owned and managed commercial cattle since childhood but started Woodall Angus Farm in 1980. It is a registered Angus seedstock operation selling over 100 bulls yearly across KY and the southeast. Woodall has been active in his county association and has sponsored and hosted many agricultural field days and educational events on his farm. He was KCA President in 2015 and has served on several committees during his time at the state level. He was the 2015 Kentucky Angus Association Performance Breeder of the Year, 2008 Logan County Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year, and 2010 Logan County Extension Service Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Woodall was instrumental in the establishment of New Life Baptist Church and has served as an elder since its Gary Woodall
64 • Cow Country • February
inception in 2005. Gary is married to his wife, Aubrietta and they have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Kenneth Lowe has been operating a Purebred Angus operation, Oak Hollow Angus, in Warren County for 41 years. He is a 7th generation cattle farmer. He received his B.S. in Animal Science from Western Kentucky University. He was President of the Warren County Cattlemen’s for 20 years and hosted multiple educational fields days for local, regional and state cattlemen. He also hosted several University classes and livestock judging teams. He was President of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association in 1994 and worked on committees for NCBA and was on the Board of Directors for the Meat Export Federation. He has been awarded the American Angus Association Largest KY Angus breeder for several years, the Kentucky Seedstock Producer of the Year and the Kentucky Angus Association Performance Breeder of the Year. He has been married for 35 years to his wife Theresa and they have one son, Joe, who also works on the family farm. Tom McGinnis raises Purebred Angus Kenneth Lowe
cattle in Shelby County. Heritage Farm raises 200+ head of cattle and started in 1996. Tom is an avid supporter of youth livestock projects and the Angus breed. He has been a buyer at the local youth livestock auction since it began in 1997. He has been a sponsor of meals and activities for 4-H, cattlemen, Extension and other local agriculture organizations. He has also hosted several events at his farm including Great Meadows Angus Association sales. Tom served in the United State Army in Vietnam in 1967-68 and went on to receive his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. His kindness and generosity are huge assets in the Shelby County Community but he is very humble and finds joy in the success of others over himself. He is married to his wife, Pam and has two children and 3 grandchildren. Region 4 winner Charles Wills purchased a 155 acre farm from his grandfather in 1960. He later added acreage and started cattle farming in the early 1970’s. He became a premier backgrounder of heifers. He always opened up his farm to novices and those interested in getting in the cattle business. He is a charter Tom McGinnis
WE member of the Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association and served for 2 years as President. He was instrumental in recruiting and retaining over 650 members annually. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and was promoted to Captain during the Korean Conflict. He returned and was a teacher and principal for 36 years. Mr. Wills still runs his cattle operation with the help of his two grandsons, is a respected member of his community and is active in his church. He was married to his wife for 62 years and has two children and 3 grandchildren. Dr. David Williams is the Owner/President of Burkmann Industries, Inc, that owns and operates 13 animal feed manufacturing plants and 17 retail locations throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. He also owns Forever Spring Farm in Danville, KY. Dr. Williams has provided Kentucky farmers nutritional support and feed products for over 42 years. He has served in numerous positions over the years, including Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation Chairman, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Treasurer, and a member of the Kentucky State Fair Board. He has spent the last Charles Wills
47 years supporting and being a resource to Kentucky farm families. He began his career in the Kentucky Extension Service and his passion for agriculture education has continued throughout his career. He has been very active in the Boyle County community sitting on Boards and donating to programs like the Backpacks for Kids program. He is very active in his church serving as Deacon, Treasurer and Sunday school teacher. His advice and mentorship to so many in the state is second to none. He received his B.S and M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky and his Ph.D from Iowa State University in Animal Nutrition. He has been married to his wife, Betty-Gayle for 53 years and has two children and 4 grandchildren. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association would like to congratulate all of these deserving individuals for their years of service and numerous contributions to the agriculture industry. Videos of the 2022 inductees can be viewed on the KCA Youtube and Facebook pages. Applications are now being taken for the 2023 KCA Hall of Fame. Call the office for more details at 859-278-0899. Dr. David Williams
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL BACK NEXT YEAR!
JANUARY 5-6 2023 February • Cow Country • 65
Heifer Initiative Award Winner Caleb Kernodle
Heifer Initiative Award winner Creigton Smith
Heifer Initiative Award Winner Beau Girdley
Past presidents (L to R) Chuck Crutcher, Don Reynolds, Paul Napier, Steve Downs, Charles Miller, Larry Clay, Kenneth Lowe, Mike Bach, Don Pemberton and Steve Dunning
Tom Dawson accepts the Service Award from Dave Maples Cary King presents Chris Cooper his outgoing president plaque
66 • Cow Country • February
Carey Brown received a 20 year Service Award from Dave Maples Charles Miller presents a Service Award to Kevin Lyons on behalf of the Kentucky Association if County Agriculture Agents
President Chris Cooper's granddaughters at the banquet
Steve Dunning, Tim Hughes and Don Pemberton catch up at the KCA Leadership and President's Reception
Tim Dietrich takes bid during the auction
Chris Cooper speaks at banquet
John Mark Brown, Danielle Ford and Gary Ford at the KCA Leadership and President's Reception Dave Maples speaks at banquet
Caleb Kernodle was the auctioneer for the Live Auction BHG gave out samples in trade show
February • Cow Country • 67
Theresa Stanley with Smiley Pete publishing speaks at Ladies Program
Dave Maples and Nikki Whitaker at the Legislative Session update
Chris cooper turns the meeting over to 2022 President Cary King
Don Schiefelbein speaks at Beef Efficiency Conference
Alison Smith presents the KBC report
KJCA Officer Kailey Thompson gives the Junior Report at Closing Session
Cary King makes his first remarks at KCA President
68 • Cow Country • February
Dr. Dan Thomson speaks at Beef Efficiency Conference
KCA President Chris Cooper
Dr. Gordon Jones welcomes everyone to the Beef Efficiency Conference
Dr. Ryan Quarles, Commissioner of Agriculture speaks during the Closing Session
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman speaks during the Opening session
Katelyn Hawkins presents the Beef Solutions report
Dr. David William, Joe Goggin, Mike Bach and Bobby Foree catch up in the hallway
Marion County shows off their door hangers made in the Ladies program
Bradon Burks speaks to Juniors
February • Cow Country • 69
Fred Turner and Chris Teutsch at Forages Conference
Jimmy Henning at Forages Conference
Adam Jones receives KFGC Award
Chris Teutsch at Forages Conference
Nick Roy at Forages Conference
70 • Cow Country • February
Front Row (L to R): Caroline Hayden: Treasurer/Reporter, Chevy Vaske: President, Zack Imbruglio: Vice President, Caleb Kernodle: Secretary Back Row (L to R): [ALL Directors] Joshua Kernodle, Miranda Webb, Macey Thompson, Harlee Watson, Mollie Webb, Emily Tabor, Ethan Blevins, Emma Ballinger, Julia Weaber, Bryanna Smith, JW Cox, Maddie Ethington, Laura Ann Pettit, Beau Girdley, Lily Jeffries (Not pictured), Bradon Burks (Advisor)
Bradon Burks
KBC Director of Education
The Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association had their annual convention in conjunction with the KCA Convention January 13th-14th. Over 50 youth came to the two day event from all across the state. During the convention, juniors participated in an Industry Tour Friday morning where they visited Golden Age
72 • Cow Country • February
Farms, a Waygu cattle farm where they focus on both producing and finishing Waygu cattle. Junior Members also visited Hallway Feeds, an equine feed company located in Lexington. Members were able to see how the feed was made and even try a sample, although many said it didn’t taste the best. Back at the Convention Center, juniors sat in on our Beef Leadership Town Hall where they were able to ask questions and listen to advice from industry professionals. Members on the panel were Sheri Chapman of Multi-Min, David
McGlothlin of ABS Inc., and Ian Thomas of Superior Ag Insurance. We were joined by Leslie Streeval, the 2022 KY Miss United States Agriculture during our event as well. Following the Town Hall, the new 2022 KJCA Officers and Board of Directors were selected. The following are the new board members: Stay up to date with all things KJCA via Social Media @kyjuniorcattlemen on Facebook and @kyjrcattlemen on instagram.
February • Cow Country • 73
Trade Show Exhibitors ABS Global AirMedCare Network American/Kentucky Angus Association Anderson Groupe Anipro Xtraformance Nutrition Blue Grass Livestock Marketing Bluegrass Gelbvieh Alliance Branch View Angus Burkmann Nutrition Callicrate Banders Cargill Caudill Seed Company Cenpeco Lubricants Central Farm Supply of KY Central Kentucky Ag Credit Central Life Sciences CGB Agrifinancial Services Corteva Agriscience Cowherd Equipment CPC Feeds Datamars Livestock Elanco Animal Health Farm Credit Mid-America FPL Food LLC Genex Gro-tec, Inc H&R Agri-Power Kalmbach Feeds Kentucky Farm Bureau Kentucky Forage & Grassland Council Kubota Tractor Corp KY Ag & Environment in the Classroom KY Dept of Agriculture/Office of State Vet LAIRD MFG MB Enterprise Meade Tractor Mid South Ag LLC Multimin USA My Team Cattle & Crop Insurance NCBA Neat Distributing Neogen Performance Feeds & Animal Health Postive Feed Red Barn & Associates/Artex Manufacturing Red Hill Farms Rip’s Farm Center Roto-Mix, LLC Select Sires MidAmercia Southeast Val6 Superior Ag Insurance Tarter The Farmer’s Pride UKY Center for Clinical & Translational Science United Producers VitaFerm Vitalix Westway Feed Products Y-TEX Zoetis 74 • Cow Country • February
The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association would like to thank all of our 2022 Convention Sponsors! The Convention would not be possible without your support.
THANK YOU TO YOUR CONVENTION SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Superior Ag Insurance Anipro Xtraformance Nutrition Meade Tractor Tarter Blue Grass Livestock Marketing GOLD SPONSORS My Team Cattle & Crop Insurance Central Kentucky Ag Credit H&R Agri-Power
Performance Feeds & Animal Health Farm Credit Mid-America Corteva Agriscience
BRONZE SPONSORS Cental Farm Supply of Kentucky Vitalix Rip’s Farm Center LAIRD MFG Roto-Mix, LLC Y-TEX Branch View Angus Datamars Livestock VitaFerm Zoetis Neogen Kalmbach Feeds Callicrate Banders Elanco Animal Health Kubota Tractor Corp Burkmann Nutrition United Producers, Inc. February • Cow Country • 75
Cold, wind, snow, rain, and mud. They all impact the cow. Steve Boyles OSU Extension Beef Specialist Factors that create stress during the winter months are cold, wind, snow, rain and mud. The primary effect on animals is due to temperature. All these factors alter the maintenance energy requirement of livestock. Maintenance requirement can be defined, as the nutrients required for keeping an animal in a state of balance so that body substance is neither gained or lost. An interesting thing to note is that while energy requirements increase, protein requirements remain the same. Some published sources contain nutrient requirements for beef cattle that include guidelines for adjusting rations during winter weather. Even without published sources, competent livestock producers realize the need for more feed during cold weather. Make sure that water is available. If water is not supplied, cattle will reduce feed intake. The metabolic response to the stimulus of cold involves practically all the systems of the body. The striated muscles shiver,
the heart beats faster, breathing becomes deeper, urine flow is increased and the sympathetic and pituitary controlled systems are activated so to elevate biological oxidations (energy expenditure or heat production) in all tissues. The result is an increase in the cow’s requirements for energy. Spring calving cows, and particularly heifers, in poor body condition are at risk for calving problems. The result may be lighter, weaker calves at birth, which can lead to a higher death loss, and more susceptibility to things such as scours. Animals in poor condition before calving, provide inferior colostrum and lower milk production. This can lead to lighter weaning weights or fewer pounds of calf to sell. Females that are in less than desirable body condition at calving are slower to return to estrus. Body condition at calving affects the current calf crop (milk production) and next year’s calving date (rebreeding date).
DAILY DRY MATTER INTAKE OF BEEF COWS WITH RESPECT TO LOWER TEMPERATURES Temp, F Intake, % Change
76 • Cow Country • February
<5
5-22
22-41
59-77
1.16
1.07
1.05
1.03
In most years hay and stockpiled forage can adequately provide the needed nutrients, but it can vary widely and should be tested to make sure it is adequate. There is a range of temperature where cattle are neither too hot nor too cold and their performance is optimal. This temperature range is called the thermoneutral zone. It is the temperature range where the fewest nutrients are needed to maintain bodily functions. For cattle the lower temperatures of the thermoneutral zone are shown in Table 1. All of the critical temperatures listed are effective ambient temperatures, which basically means the wind chill temperature is used if the cattle are not sheltered. The critical temperatures also take into consideration the insulating ability of the cattle, as shown by the change between a wet and dry coat. Typical hair depths are .1 inches for summer and .3 to .5 inches for winter. As you can see from the table at the top of the next page, if we have a choice, snow is preferred to a cold rain. We lose what is called “air insulation” in cattle that get wet versus those that are out in the snow. The air pockets between hair fibers are a source of insulation. We lose this insulation when
ESTIMATED TEMPERATURES FOR BEEF CATTLE Haircoat Description
Lower Critical Temperature
Summer Coat or Wet
60º F
Dry Fall Coat
45º F
Dry Winter Coat
32º F
Dry Heavy Winter Coat
19º F
From Browsen, R. & Ames D.”Winter Stress in Beef Cattle” Cattle Producer’s Library. CL760.
hair gets matted down in a cold rain. The result is that the Dry Winter Coat goes from having a critical temperature of 32 degrees F to about 59-60 degrees F. From several studies it is estimated that for every one degree below the critical temperature a cow’s energy requirement (TDN) increases 1 percent. It is also estimated that for every ten degrees below the critical temperature the digestibility of the ration decreases by 1 percent. This means that when the temperature drops below the critical temperature the cattle
need to be fed better. It may be that more or better hay needs to be fed
increase the maintenance requirement from 7-30%.
It has been suggested that an energy supplement level that would minimally affect forage intake would be .7% of animal body weight. However, level of grain supplementation can vary with forage quality. Also, see this, https://u.osu.edu/ beef/2019/01/30/winter-feeding-beef-cows/
OSU scientists Nickles, Relling and Parker observed cows housed for the last trimester of gestation in muddy conditions had an estimated increase in energy requirements of 1.8 Mcal Net Energy/day, which is equivalent to approximately 20% of the daily energy requirements for maintenance of a 1200 lb cow. To read further on these results you can visit https://u.osu.edu/ beef/2020/12/23/the-cost-of-mud-to-thebeef-cow/
Besides cold weather effecting cattle performance producers have another thing to consider during winter, mud. Depending upon mud depth, it is estimated that it can
EXAMPLE OF EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON ENERGY NEEDS Effective Temperature
Extra TDN needed
Extra Hay Needed (lbs/cow/day)
Extra Grain Needed (lbs/cow/day)
50ºF
0
0
0
+30ºF
0
0
0
10ºF
20%
3-4 lbs
2-2.5 lbs
-10ºF
40%
7-8 lbs
4-6 lbs
February • Cow Country • 77
How We Got Here: A Brief History of Cattle and Beef Markets Derrell S. Peel Oklahoma State University, Department of Agricultural Economics John Anderson University of Arkansas, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence Courtesy of Livestock Marketing Information Center The issues facing the beef cattle industry today are not new; indeed, some have roots that extend back over a century. For the most part, though, today’s controversies related to fed cattle pricing mechanisms have their origin in the profound changes in the beef cattle industry that began in the 1960s and 1970s. These changes ultimately relate to efficiency gains along the entire beef supply chain and the pressure to capture the benefits of that efficiency through increasing size and tighter supply chain coordination. Following the peak in cattle numbers at 132 million head in 1975, increased productivity in the beef industry helped maintain the level of beef production despite falling cattle numbers. Beef production per cow increased from less than 250 pounds per cow in 1950 to over 660 pounds per cow currently. Total beef production is projected to reach a record level of 27.7 billion pounds in 2021 despite commercial cattle slaughter being only about 75 percent of its 1976 peak. Technological progress (i.e., improved genetics, hormone implants, feed additives) contributed to significant carcass weight gains, with steer carcass weights increasing from 656 pounds in 1960 to 907 pounds in 2020, an average increase of 4.2 pounds per year. Because of growth in population and increases in exports, domestic per capita consumption has declined even as production has increased. Per capita beef consumption reached peak of 95 pounds in 1975 and has generally decreased since to the current level of about 55 pounds/capita. Beef demand incorporates information not only on the quantity of beef consumed but also on the price that consumers pay. Beef demand decreased from 1980 to about 1998 then increased with another drop in 20102011 followed by general increases in the last decade. As cattle feeding developed rapidly in the post-World-War II period in the Corn Belt, interest in carcass grading increased along with consumer preferences for marbled 78 • Cow Country • February
beef. By the 1960s, large commercial feedlots were developing in the Plains, and cattle feeding began to expand rapidly. The feedlot inventory was just under 10 million head in 1965, increased to 12.5 million head in 1985 and was 14.7 million head in 2021. The packing sector was evolving rapidly along with the cow/calf and feeding sectors. Boxed beef fabrication technology was introduced in 1967 by Iowa Beef Processors (later IBP and later still Tyson) and rapidly became the dominant wholesale beef technology in the 1970s, profoundly changing wholesale and retail beef markets. Boxes utilized refrigerated shipping capacity much more efficiently than the swinging carcasses that they supplanted and also greatly reduced the inefficiency of shipping bone, fat and trim that was now removed at the point of slaughter. As consumer preferences shifted toward lean beef beginning in the 1980s, the consequent move to “close-trim” product magnified fabrication efficiencies by further reducing shipping costs and facilitating markets for tallow. As more and more fabrication has shifted to the packer, the number of specific beef items has proliferated such that the major packers now produce several thousand different beef products and by-products for customers in retail grocery, further processing, food service, and export markets. Boxed beef prices attempt to capture the wholesale value of this wide variety of beef products and convert it to a rough carcass equivalent. Boxed beef prices are calculated from a set of roughly 50 reported wholesale cut prices. The set of products included in the boxed beef price calculation changes over time to reflect changing fabrication styles and product mixes. This makes the reported boxed beef price more closely reflect the value at a point in time but more difficult to compare over time. Today’s boxed beef prices reflect products with substantially higher levels of fabrication than in the past. The cost efficiencies associated with larger operations in increasingly sophisticated
and capital-intensive beef packing and fabrication (known as economies of size) led to rapid concentration of beef packing in the 1980s. The four-firm concentration ratio increased from less than 30 percent in the late 1970s to over 80 percent in just about a decade through a series of mergers and acquisitions by the largest firms. The fourfirm concentration ratio has been relatively stable since the early 1990s, averaging 80.2 percent from 1993 – 2008 then increasing in 2009 and averaging 84.6 percent the past decade. Large firms have market power, raising the potential for anti-competitive behavior. Research shows that small but significant negative price impacts of market power is outweighed by several magnitudes in cost efficiencies that benefit producers and consumers. Prior to the 1990s, most fed cattle were priced on averages, with little quality differentiation. With most all cattle receiving the same average price, high quality cattle were undervalued and lowquality cattle were overvalued. Packers had little incentive to differentiate cattle quality: they had to process all the cattle anyway and all that was important was to get the average correct. Producers had little incentive to improve cattle, leading to poor quality grading which contributed to declining beef demand. In the 1990s, the industry began to push for “value-based marketing”, which aimed to differentiate and value cattle according to quality differences. The result was the development of grid pricing in which a matrix of quality characteristics was applied to a base price to determine fed cattle premiums and discounts. However, both buyers and sellers recognized the transactions costs of continually negotiating these grid sales, and this led quickly to the use of formulas which incorporated the grid matrix and utilized a base price from an external source, usually a publicly reported cash price. By the late 1990s, these pricing arrangements led to concerns about “captive supplies” (later referred to as Alternative
Marketing Arrangements or AMAs) and thinning cash markets. Negotiated cash trades declined in the 2000s from roughly 55 percent to a range of 20 to 25 percent and have remained at this level for the last decade. Fed cattle pricing practices vary regionally, with the lowest negotiated cash trading percent in the TX/OK/NM area and the highest in Nebraska. Concerns about thin markets and price discovery in fed cattle markets have persisted almost since the advent of the AMA era and have grown sharper recently. Industry pressure is growing to raise the proportion of cattle traded by direct negation through some kind of market intervention. Current proposals include government mandates for a fixed percentage of negotiated cash trade for fed cattle. Thinning markets raise legitimate concerns about the efficiency of price discovery, and current debates about policy interventions in the market are uniformly couched in terms of correcting price discovery problems. Research to date has largely failed to document clear evidence of a problem with price discovery in the fed cattle market. What is clear is that cattle producers have been largely dissatisfied with price outcomes in recent years and perceive that they have been at a significant disadvantage in terms of bargaining position in the market. Dissatisfaction with below-break-even prices is clearly understandable, and the perception of bargaining disadvantage is not at all inaccurate. However, both of these issues have much more to do with market fundamentals (i.e., price determination) than with deficiencies in price discovery. Most of the beef packing infrastructure in the U.S. was built in the 1980s, and the industry operated for decades with excess packing capacity as cattle numbers declined. Packing capacity has slowly declined over the past 20 years, with several permanent plant closures. The reduction in packing capacity, combined with cyclical herd expansion from 2014 to 2019 has resulted, for the first time in more than 35 years, in a shortage of packing capacity. Estimated steer plus heifer slaughter capacity has been lower than actual slaughter since 2016, which means that slaughter demand has been met by increasing Saturday slaughter and stretching normal operating schedules. This practice has been made more difficult by chronic labor shortages in the sector, made worse by the continuing impacts of COVID-19.
have evolved significantly over time. A growing set of beef products are marketed through a vast array of retail grocery, food service and export markets. An expanding set of specialized beef markets is capturing additional product value for branded programs based on grass-fed, natural (defined variably), non-hormone treated, or other attributes or consumer desired production practices. The importance and value of international beef and cattle trade continues to grow and offers the greatest potential for sustained growth in the industry. Beef exports and imports help to optimize the mix of beef products in domestic markets and increase value directly and indirectly. Value-based marketing has provided incentives for cattle producers to increase beef quality over time as indicated by sharply higher Choice and Prime grading percentages and strong beef demand in recent years. On the other hand, little has changed. The adversarial relationship between producers and packers has not improved and is arguably worse than ever. Regional and sectoral differences among cattle producers are sharper and more bitter than ever. Historically, periods of high cattle prices have significantly diminished
producer concerns only to see them revived in the course of typical industry dynamics. The beef/cattle industry has evolved over time to have the characteristics, structure and practices that make up today’s extraordinarily complex industry. Understanding how and why the industry works the way it does is critical in the face of the legislative solutions currently proposed. It is essential that producers, industry leaders and policymakers understand how difficult it is to intervene in complex market systems without producing numerous and detrimental unintended consequences. Overly simplistic, one-size-fits-all legislative solutions to complex problems are almost certain to impede and interrupt the complicated, dynamic market signals and adjustments that coordinate a vast array of cattle and beef markets. The cattle industry has historically strongly embraced market systems. Current legislative proposals represent a significant departure from that market-oriented tradition, and producers and policymakers are advised to proceed with great caution and deliberation before invoking simplistic solutions with great potential for long-term harm to the industry and to consumers.
Fayette county FarM Bureau’S
39th annual
n o s r & Online e P In
Farm Equipment Consignment Auction
Saturday March 19th, 2022 @ 8:30 aM
www.fayettecofarmbureau.com
QueStionS? drop uS a line todd clark: (859) 621-6471 BoB jaMeS: (859) 229-4642 carrie McintoSh: (859) 253-0023
All sectors of the cattle and beef industry February • Cow Country • 79
Doing What Families Do: Extension Helps Local Tornado Victims Katie Pratt University of Kentucky In the midst of what most would consider utter chaos, Bremen farmer Kenny Smith sees a coordinated recovery effort and a path forward. Smith’s Muhlenberg County farm was one of many across Western Kentucky that sustained unthinkable damage from the Dec. 10 tornadoes. The EF4 long-track tornado tore through 128 miles in eight Western Kentucky counties with additional tornados impacting even more areas. Smith, a cattle producer, lost his hay barn, several other buildings, all the shade for his cattle and his garage. Miraculously, his home only sustained minor damage. His county agriculture and natural resources extension agent, Darrell Simpson, is one of the many people from across the United States helping Smith start anew. “Darrell has been super. He’s given more than 100% and stepped in and given everyone what they need,” Smith said. Smith is just one of the Muhlenberg County farmers Simpson is helping to recover. In the days following the tornado, Simpson moved grain from damaged bins, provided producers with contacts and information for the Farm Service Agency and other aid resources, helped repair fences and offered support for farmers. He is one of many University of Kentucky Cooperative extension agents and volunteers stepping up to provide needed assistance to their clients--most of whom they would consider friends or family. With a presence in all 120 counties, UK Cooperative Extension Service agents play vital roles in large and small communities across the state. They serve on local leadership boards, direct community programs and provide researchbased education from the university. They serve their communities in happy and challenging times. “We live and work here. These people are our family,” said Melissa Goodman, Hickman family and consumer sciences extension agent. Goodman sprang into action immediately after the tornado went through her 80 • Cow Country • February
Mississippi River county Friday night, working with local emergency management personnel to provide food and shelter for victims at a local church in Clinton. As the week progressed, the church housed 15 Kentucky National Guard members. Goodman continued to provide food there and to lineman in partnership with another Clinton church. While the tornado went through a rural area of the county, it still completely leveled 13 houses and damaged more than 40 structures. The next town the tornadic system would reach was Mayfield. Just south of Hickman County is Fulton County, where the tornadic system initially entered the state from Tennessee and hit the community of Cayce. Ben Rudy, the county’s agriculture and natural resources extension agent, lives just outside of the community. While his home and farm suffered some damage, he considers himself one of the lucky ones. Cayce, population 92, lost 23 homes, three businesses, the fire department and suffered one fatality. “One of our poultry producers lost six poultry barns. Thankfully, their chickens were picked up earlier in the week, and no animals were in the structures when the tornado hit,” Rudy said. “We also had a grain producer who lost a grain bin leg and has damage to three of his bins.” Rudy is using various means of communication to reach area farmers with ways they can get disaster assistance as well as information on food safety and generator safety. He’s also a member of the local emergency response team and has been relaying local information from local emergency management, the fire department and the sheriff ’s department. Further east, Todd County 4-H is finding ways to help area tornado victims. Lee Ann McCuiston, the county’s 4-H youth development agent, organized a community donation location for bedding for first responders and Kentucky National Guard members who are staying at the West Kentucky 4-H Camp in hard hit Dawson
Darrell Simpson, left, Muhlenberg County agriculture and natural resources extension agent, talks with livestock producer Kenny Smith about the tornado damage on Smith's farm in Bremen. Photo by Katie Pratt, UK agricultural communications.
Springs. “I wanted to find a unique way for our local 4-H community to contribute to meaningful recovery efforts,” McCuiston said. Members of the Todd County 4-H Teen Leadership Council helped her load the items into the trailer. “I didn’t realize the extent of the damage until I drove through Pembroke (in neighboring Christian County),” said Andrew McDonald, a Todd County 4-H’er from Trenton. “It really allowed me to put myself in the place of other people and realize how lucky I am.” McDonald is just one of many 4-H members across the state springing into action. The Pennyrile Region Teen Leadership Council raised $1,000 to support tornado victims. Crittenden County 4-H’er Maggie Blazina used a holiday gift giving program for teenagers in need she began several years ago called “Stuff the Bus” to help her local 4-H club collect donations for tornado victims. Like many 4-H’ers and the greater extension community, McDonald said he hopes to do more for the tornado victims in the future and wants to be there for victims as they begin to rebuild. “4-H is mainly about giving back and helping out where you can,” he said. “I definitely want to be a part of the 4-H group from this county that goes there to help when it is safe to do so.”
EPD: Expected Progeny Difference… More Like Enormous Pay Day Ellen Craig and Kristen Rappold University of Kentucky Beef Cattle Science Students EPDs… Enhanced Production Dealings or Expected Progeny Difference? Well, EPD stands for Expected Progeny Difference, but when you utilize EPDs you enhance the production dealings of your operation. If you are a cattle producer looking to boost the production and profitability of your operation all while lowering the costs of production, then EPDs are the tool for you. And you are in luck because over time this tool has become a more precise estimate of an animal’s potential as a parent thanks to genetic advancements. Before we discuss EPDs and how they will advance your operation, first we must examine what production, marketing, and breeding systems that are used in your operation. One of the first questions you should ask is are you a seedstock producer or a commercial producer? Commercial operations focus on raising cattle for market calves and cattle that will be harvested for consumption. Commercial operations will often times utilize crossbreeding systems to increase hybrid vigor and to utilize and combine the strengths of each breed. The seedstock industry is primarily used for genetics and supplying bulls to commercial producers. Because different breeds excel in certain traits and qualities it is important to preserve the genetics that cause these characteristics, which is why the seedstock industry is so important. If you are a commercial producer, you also need to analyze the marketing strategy in your operation. Do you sell your calves at weaning, do you retain ownership through a feedlot, or do you have a backgrounding operation? Whether it be for commercial or seedstock use, you need to determine what breeds, traits, and characteristics that will be the most profitable for your operation based on the type of marketing system you use. Now that you have assessed the goal of your operation, and what you are going to use to
reach that goal you can be more specific with your selection. Changing and improving the genetics of your herd is a valuable tool to increase revenue through increased production and decreased costs. Sire selection, replacement female selection, and cow culling are all ways to make genetic changes, but sire selection has the greatest impact on your herd. The best way to choose a sire for your herd is by assessing the bulls EPD values. Expected Progeny Differences predict how the future offspring of the bull will compare to the offspring of other bulls. The EPD values that you choose to emphasize, are determined by the goals of your operation. Over time more factors have been added into how producers select their cattle. Selection started with outward appearance of the animal (phenotype) being the only criteria, then producers started to use pedigrees, and measurable traits (performance data) to make improvements. They then began to take this performance data of the individual animal and compare it to other animals of the same breed, sex, age, environment, etc. and this eventually led to the creation of EPDs. This tool has been revolutionary in transforming the cattle industry, but a recent technology allows us to increase the accuracy of EPDs. That is where genomics comes into play. Our understanding of and ability to utilize genomics has increased dramatically in TRAIT Calving Ease (Direct)
the last few decades. We are able to take a blood, hair or tissue sample and determine animal’s genetic makeup. Genes influence the expression of different traits and the offspring get half of their genetics from the sire and half from the dam, so understanding the genotype of an animal can help predict how its offspring will perform. This can help you select your breeding stock and predict what traits will be expressed in their offspring. These are just a few of the reasons why performing DNA testing to get genomically enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs) is so important and can help you select the best bull for your operation. GE-EPDs allow us to make more accurate predictions on animals at a younger age. Traditionally, to get an EPD with good reliability the bull had to sire offspring, but with genomic enhanced EPDs we are able to predict better values at a much younger age with a higher accuracy. Below is a table from the North American Limousin Foundation. It says, “An estimated progeny equivalent is the average number of progeny records it would take to see an equivalent change in accuracy from a genomic test. For example, if a non-parent animal is genotyped, the accuracy of his/her EPD is akin to an animal that has already produced 5 offspring with a carcass weight record (see table below). Overtime, these estimates will change as statistical models are improved, the number of phenotypes 2020 ESTIMATED PROGENY EQUIVALENTS 25+
Calving Ease (Total Maternal)
4
Birth Weight
22
Weaning Weight
25+
Yearling Weight
25+
Milk
19
Stayability
15
Docility
25+
UK Beef Cattle Science Student Article
Each year the University of Kentucky beef group partners with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association to have a competition of the students in the UK Beef Cattle Science class. The students are assigned to write a popular press article on a specific genetics topic and the winner’s article is printed in Cow Country News. This year the topic was on Genomics and there were two outstanding articles, so the students coauthored a combined article. 82 • Cow Country • February
increases, and the information from genomic data improves” (2020 Estimated Progeny Equivalents, https://nalf.org/wp-content/ uploads/2020/05/2020-Progeny-Equivalents-.pdf)A great example to look at within this table specifically is the Milk EPD. By simply computing the information, it is the equivalent to waiting for a bull to have 19 heifer calves that grew up to wean their own calves. To see a maternal trait EPD you must have a heifer get pregnant, and successfully calve which takes approximately 9 months. Then allow this heifer to mature to be of breeding age, which is typically around 15 months, breed and have her calf, which is now almost 3 years. Now the new calf must reach weaning age that adds another 9 months. If you think about it more specifically in maternal traits, you can save yourself a minimum of 3.5 years, and a minimum of 1 to 1.5 years on direct traits. In contrast, a genomically enhanced EPD can be done as soon as the bull is born, and comes with much less variability and chance. The results of using these selection tools in your operation take time to develop, you will not always see the exact results you are looking for after one generation of breeding or one bull selection. However, GEEPDs are a proven mechanism in changing the genetics of your herd and when used properly can reduce the cost of production, increase revenue, and make us better producers. As technologies continue to advance we will continue to improve GE-EPDs and the overall production of the beef industry will benefit.
PEN HEIFER SHOW & SALE
Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo March 4-5, 2022 • 2 PM Show: 2 PM, Friday March 4 Sale: 2 PM, Saturday March 5 Kentucky Exposition Center
Selling More Than 80 Head! Registered & Commercial Females
Opens — Breds — Pairs Selling in groups of 2 or 3
Kristen Rappold is a Senior at the University of Kentucky studying Agricultural Education. She is from a small town in Ohio, Pleasant Hill, where she raised and showed pigs most of her life. She has had the chance over the past 3 years to combine her two passions in education and show pigs to mentor kids in Ohio. When she’s not in the barn or teaching, she is usually hanging out with friends or family.
Jessica Ellen Craig, from Frankfort, Kentucky, is a senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Animal Sciences. Ellen is a member of Block and Bridle and Phi Mu Fraternity. She is passionate about educating others on agriculture and working with livestock. Ellen will graduate in December and has accepted a managing position at a farm in Shelbyville, Ky.
Sale Managed By JWC Marketing (859) 229-1767 john@jwcmarketing.com February • Cow Country • 83
Kentucky Farm Bureau BEEF EXPO Kentucky Fair & Expo Center • Louisville, KY • March 4-6, 2022 ANGUS Show: 10 AM, Friday Sale: 12 PM, Saturday Kris Lynn, 573-721-6663
HEREFORD Show: 1 PM, Friday Sale: 1 PM, Saturday Earlene Thomas, 859-623-5734
RED POLL Show: 2:30 PM, Friday Sale: 9:30 AM, Saturday Kyle Young, 502-321-9892 (Cell)
OTHER EVENTS:
BLACK HEREFORD Show: 12 PM, Saturday Sale: 4 PM, Saturday Tim Tarter 606-305-2289
LIMOUSIN Show: 10 AM, Saturday Sale: 2:30 PM, Saturday Greg Blaydes - 859-338-9402
SHORTHORN Show: 10 AM, Saturday Sale: 1 PM, Saturday Cindy Cagwin Johnston - 217-370-6034
Junior Steer Show Saturday, Check In: 2PM-5PM Sunday, Show: 8:00 AM
CHAROLAIS Show: 12 PM, Saturday Sale: 4 PM, Saturday KY Charolais Assn. Jeff Harrod - 502-330-6745
PEN HEIFER Show: 2 PM, Friday Sale: 2 PM, Saturday JWC Marketing LLC 859-229-1767
SIMMENTAL Show: 4 PM, Friday Sale: 11 AM, Saturday Doug Parke, 859-987-5758 859-421-6100 (Cell)
GELBVIEH Show: 1 PM, Friday Sale: 11:30 AM, Saturday David Slaughter, 270-556-4259
RED ANGUS Show: 10 AM, Friday Sale: 10 AM, Saturday Johnnie Cundiff, 606-305-6443
Major Co-Sponsors: Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Kentucky Junior Heifer Show Saturday, Check In: 10AM-12PM Saturday Show: 4:30 PM
Open Junior Heifer Show Saturday, Check In:12PM - 2PM Sunday, Show: 8:00 AM *Kentucky heifer exhibitors will show separately Saturday, March 5 at 4:30 PM and may choose to show in the Open Junior Heifer Show, Sunday, March 6 at 8:00 AM.
DON’T MISS THESE OTHER EXPO EVENTS!! Junior Heifer, Steer, and Market Heifer Jackpot Shows, Judging Contest More information available at www.kybeefexpo.com
308D
600H
325J
319J
34J
J01
MarCH 5, 2022 11:00 AM Kentucky Fair & Expo Center New Market Hall, Louisville, KY
Friday, March 4th I 4:00 pm Call for more information or sale book! Doug & Debbie Parke 859.421.6100 Drew & Holli Hatmaker 423.506.8844 office@dpsalesllc.com
84 • Cow Country • February
www.dpsalesllc.com
Kentucky National Shorthorn Show & Sale
KENTUCKY CHAROLAIS
SATURDAY • MARCH 5 • SHOW AT 10AM • SALE AT 1PM (EST) KENTUCKY FAIR AND EXPOSITION CENTER • LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY Sponsored by the Kentucky Shorthorn Association • www.kybeefexpo.org
SHOW & SALE At the KFB Beef Expo
Kentucky Fair & Expo Center • Louisville, KY
March 5 12 PM ET
The 2022 Shorthorn Junior Nationals are in Kansas City, MO, a Junior’s Opportunity!
If you can’t be there in person, watch and bid online!
March 5 4 PM ET D&D Kennedy 1430, 2015 Res. National Champion Embryo’s by M&M OUTSIDER and CCC WC Redemption From Longhall and Harrod
Request a catalog to be mailed, contact Cindy. Catalog available online at cagwincattle.com, shorthorncountry.net
Sale Managed by: Cagwin Cattle Services Don Cagwin Cindy Cagwin-Johnston: 217-370-6034 PO Box 77 • Virginia, IL 62691
SATURDAY SALE
SHOW
SATURDAY
cagwincattle@casscomm.com Co-Managed with: Brent Elam - 615-573-5881
Daughter of CAG GARW Strongside, 4-27-21 From Druin Charolais
Herd sire prospects
We hope to see you at the Kentucky Beef Expo
March 4-6
at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. EDDIE BURKS, AUCTIONEER
Visit www.kybeefexpo.com for more information!
For More Info: Jeff Harrod: 502-330-6745 Chuck Druin: 502-321-5919 Jacob Miller: 502-507-4987
February • Cow Country • 85
64th Kentucky National Hereford Show & Sale 36th Annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo
March 4-6, 2022 • Kentucky Fair & Expo Center • West Wing Louisville, Kentucky
SHOW: Friday,64th March 4th - 1:00 PM Selling 70 Lots Selling 73Hereford Lots: Kentucky National Show & SELLING Sale SHOW PROSPECTS SALE: Saturday, March 5th - 1:00PM 15 15 bulls Annual BREDExpo & OPEN HEIFERS JR SHOW: Sunday,36th March 6th - 8:00 AM Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef SERVICE AGE BULLS females March 4-6,regardless 2022of residence. • Kentucky Fair &55 Expo Center • West Wing Louisville, Kentucky This is a Jackpot Show open to all 4-H/FFA members 58 females SHOW: Friday, March 4th - 1:00 PM SALE: Saturday, March 5th - 1:00PM JR SHOW: Sunday, March 6th - 8:00 AM
This is a Jackpot Show open to all 4-H/FFA members regardless of residence.
Selling 73 Lots: 15 bulls 58 females
For Catalogs:
Show & Sale Co-Sponsored by the Kentucky Hereford Association, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Commissioner Quarles, andMae 2103 ET Lot 1 Ryan - GCC Roll On the Kentucky Farm Bureau
EARLENE THOMAS, KHA SECRETARY 2396 Union City Road • Richmond, KY 40475 859.623.5734 • 2105 ET Lot 2 - GCC 8130 Msphone/fax Jewell 410B thomasep@roadrunner.com
Show & Sale Co-Sponsored by the Kentucky Hereford Association, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Commissioner Ryan Quarles, and the Kentucky Farm Bureau
EARLENE THOMAS, KHA SECRETARY 2396 Union City Road • Richmond, KY 40475 859.623.5734 phone/fax • thomasep@roadrunner.com
86 • Cow Country • February
For Catalogs:
SELLING SHOW PROSPECTS BRED & OPEN HEIFERS SERVICE AGE BULLS
Auctioneer: Dale Stith Lot 5 - Diamond C Mariah 1124 918.760.1550 Auctioneer: Dale Stith 918.760.1550
The Kentucky Black Hereford Association is proud to be sponsoring the
Third Annual Black Hereford Sale MARCH 5th • 4:00pm est at the KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU BEEF EXPO in louisville APPROXIMATELY 25 LOTS OPEN AND BRED PRODUCTION HEIFERS BRED PRODUCTION COWS HALTERED SHOW PROSPECTS JUNIORS THAT PURCHASE A HEIFER WILL RECEIVE A $100 DISCOUNT! Premiums will be paid for Junior Show and ABHA Junior National Champions for animals purchased at this sale.
For more information or catalog contact sales manager Tim Tarter at 606-305-2289 or email tripletblackherefords@gmail.com Digital catalog can be viewed www.tripletblackcattle.com
KentucKy FARm BuReAu BeeF expo KentucKy FARm BuReAu BeeF expo
R ed A ngus s Ale Red Angus sAle RRed sAle Ale edA Angus ngus s KentucKy FARm BuReAu BeeF expo Kentucky FairK&entucKy Exposition Center Louisville, Kentucky FARm B uReAu BeeF expo Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center Louisville, Kentucky
Saturday, March 5 • 10am EST
Selling Open Heifers, Bred Heifers, Embryos, & Semen Kentucky Fair && Exposition Center Louisville, Kentucky Kentucky Fair Exposition CenterBulls, Louisville, Kentucky Selling Open Heifers, Bred Heifers, Bulls, Embryos, & Semen Sale Contacts Catalog may be viewed at Selling Open Heifers, Bred Heifers, Bulls, Embryos, & Semen Johnnie Cundiff 606-305-6443 Sale Contacts Selling Open Heifers, Bred Heifers, Bulls,www.kytnredangus.com Embryos, &beSemen may viewed at Red Angus Show - Friday, March 4Catalog • 10am EST John Ethington www.thecattlelots.com Johnnie Cundiff 859-533-1301 606-305-6443 www.kytnredangus.com John Ethington 859-533-1301 www.thecattlelots.com Sale Contacts Catalog may be viewed at This sale listed on SaleCundiff Contacts Catalog may be viewed at Johnnie 606-305-6443 www.kytnredangus.com This sale listed on Johnnie Cundiff 606-305-6443 John Ethington 859-533-1301 www.kytnredangus.com www.thecattlelots.com John Ethington 859-533-1301 www.thecattlelots.com This sale listed on This sale listed on
February • Cow Country • 87
2021-22 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION * MEMBERSHIP YEAR 10/1/21– 9/30/22
NAME
SPOUSE NAME
FARM NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
COUNTY
RECRUITED BY
PHONE
FAX
ZIP
*Payments of KCA membership dues are tax deductible for most members as an ordinary and necessary business expense. However, charitable contributions of gifts to KCA are not tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. Due to new IRS regulations, $2.24 of your dues would not be deductible. Approximately $12 of your dues will go towards the monthly publication Cow Country News. PLEASE CHECK THE MEMBERSHIP(S) YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN: KCA MEMBERSHIP ($30/YR) Membership dues are $30 unless otherwise listed below
NEW
RENEWAL
NEW
RENEWAL
KCA COUPLE MEMBERSHIP To add your spouse, please add $15 to your KCA Membership KENTUCKY JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION ($10/YR)
I WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE YOUNG PRODUCER’S COUNCIL
COUNTY DUES Dues are $30 except for the counties listed below. Allen................................$40 Anderson........................$25 Bourbon..........................$20 Boyle ..............................$35 Bullitt ...............................$20 Butler ..............................$25 Franklin ...........................$25 Highlands .......................$20 (Boyd, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, & Martin)
Hopkins ..........................$35 Laurel..............................$35 Lincoln ............................$25 Louisville Area ................$20 (Jefferson, & Spencer) Magoffin ..........................$20 Menifee ...........................$25
Mountain........................$25 (Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Morgan, Owsley, Perry & Wolfe) Oldham ...........................$35 Taylor ..............................$20 Twin Lakes ......................$25 Warren ............................$40 Wayne ............................$25 Whitley ............................$25 Woodford ........................$25
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: KCA
KJCA
$
$
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION DONATION (voluntary)
$
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: ALL DONATIONS TO KCF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
88 • Cow Country • January
$
IF YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JOIN THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION The NCBA is now a State Marketing Partner with the KCA. You can pay your dues to both organizations with one check, at the same time. # HEAD 1-100
DUES $150
# HEAD 1,001-1,250
DUES $1,150
101-250
$300
1,251-1,500
$1,400
251-500
$450
1,501-1,750
$1,650
501-750
$650
1,751-2,000
$1,900
751-1000
$650
> 2,000
$1,900 + .38/HD
Complete and return to: Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association 176 Pasadena Drive • Suite 4 • Lexington, KY 40503 Join online at www.kycattle.org or call (859) 278-0899
MEMBERSHIP
DIVISION 3
2022
2021
Calloway
67
32
35
Purchase Area
64
77
-13
Clinton-Cumberland
59
67
-8
Fayette
59
75
-16
Robertson
58
56
2
Grant
52
65
-13
Campbell
50
66
-16
Mason
50
58
-8
Out of State
50
67
-17
Rockcastle
46
54
-8
Woodford
46
63
-17
Oldham
45
55
-10
Webster
45
75
-30
Taylor
44
60
-16
Montgomery
40
44
-4
Congratulations, Warren County Cattlemen’s Association!
Todd
39
48
-9
You are the lucky winners of the Priefert Squeeze Chute and Headgate for your County Chapter!
Ohio
36
53
-17
Nelson
35
60
-25
Lewis
34
52
-18
DIVISION 1
(151+ MEMBERS)
2022
2021
Diff
DIVISION 2
(76-150 MEMBERS)
2022
2021
Diff
(UP TO 75 MEMBERS)
Diff
Adair
279
306
-27
Edmonson
137
138
-1
Estill
33
33
0
Barren
250
472
-222
Warren
126
148
-22
Hancock
33
46
-13
Marion
221
283
-62
Jessamine
118
136
-18
Pendleton
33
66
-33
Madison
213
262
-49
Allen
115
106
9
-122
-32
-11
335
141
42
213
109
31
Shelby
Laurel
Highlands
Christian
197
258
-61
Larue
104
138
-34
McCreary
28
29
-1
Bath
196
271
-75
Monroe
103
134
-31
Wayne
28
45
-17
Grayson
188
248
-60
Metcalfe
102
143
-41
Union
27
37
-10
Breckinridge
171
279
-108
Pulaski
102
128
-26
Simpson
26
35
-9
Lincoln
170
257
-87
Franklin
101
117
-16
Nicholas
25
38
-13
Washington
162
179
-17
Henry
101
150
-49
Bullitt
24
32
-8
-11
Northeast Area
98
104
-6
Carroll
21
36
-15
-35
Daviess
78
124
-46
Butler
20
28
-8
-49
Scott
78
99
-21
Clay
20
28
-8
77
92
-15
Crittenden
18
23
-5
Livingston
16
22
-6
McLean
16
27
-11
Whitley
15
52
-37
Hopkins
14
25
-11
Casey
143
Mercer
136
Bracken
128
154 171 177
Clark
125
187
-62
Boyle
Green
119
159
-40
Caldwell/Lyon
77
110
-33
Hardin
118
174
-56
Fleming
75
122
-47
Logan
113
209
-96
Trimble
74
102
-28
73
89
-16
Northern Kentucky
111
153
-42
Bourbon
Hart
98
197
-99
Jackson
70
97
-27
Harrison
92
162
-70
Mountain
70
84
-14
Knox
14
35
-21
Meade
44
178
-134
Trigg
68
90
-22
Henderson
10
11
-1
Owen
67
77
-10
Menifee
10
17
-7
Totals as of: Jan. 1, 2022
2022
2021
Difference
7,363
10,115
-2,752
Garrard
66
91
-25
Magoffin
6
10
-4
Louisville Area
63
86
-23
Powell
6
8
-2
Anderson
61
81
-20
River Hills
6
6
0
Muhlenberg
54
79
-25
Russell
50
76
-26
Eastern Foothills
4
7
-3
Twin Lakes
40
80
-40
Gallatin
4
7
-3
Pike
4
7
-3
Bell
1
1
0
Harlan
1
2
-1
If you need anything for membership, please contact Nikki Whitaker at (859) 278-0899 or nwhitaker@kycattle.org
Alison Smith Retail & Foodservice
E-COMMERCE & SHOPPABLE RECIPES As with many things, COVID 19 changed how consumers shop for their groceries. Prior to the outbreak, brick and mortar grocery stores were focused on updating stores while beefing up their online shopping efforts. However, 2020 rolled in with most of the country facing quarantines and awaiting vaccines, which pushed consumers to cook more at home and order their groceries online. In a Beef Behavior and COVID report completed in April 2020, 83% of meals were cooked at home. In a State of Consumer Survey in July 2021, 89% of respondents agreed they would continue to cook meals at home. Additionally, the survey found that over a half of consumers were ordering groceries online, with a third of those being at least monthly. Of course, the Beef Checkoff saw this as an opportunity to meet shoppers where they were – online. Partnering with retailers like Kroger, Sam’s Club, Target, and Wal-Mart, the Checkoff has not only spurred beef culinary creations, but also made sure beef was in the “basket”. Kicking off the grilling season, The Beef Checkoff along with KBC and several other beef councils teamed up with Kroger and Target to encourage shoppers to purchase beef during the summer by showcasing relevant shoppable media (Kroger.com and its app and Target.com and its app) and recipes at the right moments that enabled shoppers to feel confident in their buying decisions and create grilling moments together. The online promotion ran from July 1 through Labor Day and targeted in-market shoppers for beef, competitive proteins and complimentary products. The results
90 • Cow Country • February
were amazing! According to Kroger, for the targeted-on site media, the attributable sales were over $5.7 million and the return on ads spend (ROAS) was $59.78, which is well above their benchmark ROAS. KBC was ecstatic to be able to partner with the Federal Beef Checkoff as it is cost-prohibitive as an individual state beef council. With such success during summer grilling, the Beef Checkoff as well as KBC and other state beef councils partnered with retailer, Sam’s Club, for a holiday beef sales campaign. The national campaign included Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner creative for on-site display on Sam’s Club.com and the Sam’s Club app and ran on a holiday entertaining page. KBC “plus up” the national investment to achieve additional reach in KY. Initial results showed that KY had 595,244 impressions with an .11% CTR. More results to come! Lastly, if you have been on the BIWFD website lately, you may have noticed a little red bar with a shopping cart indicating that you can purchase the ingredients to the recipe. This is a fairly new partnership with Chicory, a shoppable recipe company which links recipes with retailers allowing for a seamless purchase of the recipe’s ingredients. With the increased interest in cooking at home, this has been an additional way the Beef Checkoff can engage with shoppers and encourage beef purchases. Additionally, this allows us to work with multiple retailers on one specific promotion. Although marketing beef has changed in the last two years bringing about new e-commerce opportunities and shoppable recipes, one thing remains the same – Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner!.
SWEET ONION & PEPPER BEEF SANDWICHES WITH AU JUS INGREDIENTS: 3 to 3-1/2 pounds beef Stew Meat, cut into 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces 2 medium sweet onions, cut into 1/2-inch wedges 2 red bell pepper, cut lengthwise into 1-inch wide strips 1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 1/2 cup no-salt added tomato paste 2 tablespoons minced garlic 8 to 10 French bread rolls, split, warmed Toppings: Reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese pepperoncini pepper rings assorted olives
COOKING: Place onions in 5-1/2 quart slow cooker; top with beef, then pepper slices. Combine beef broth, tomato paste, soy sauce and garlic; add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 6 to 7 hours or LOW 8 to 9 hours or until beef is fork-tender. (No stirring is necessary during cooking.) Skim fat from cooking liquid, if necessary. Serve beef and vegetables in rolls with toppings, as desired. Serve au jus for dipping, if desired Alternate Cooking Method: This recipe can be made in a 6-quart electric pressure cooker. In small bowl add 1/2 cup broth, soy sauce and tomato paste; mix well. Place onions in pressure cooker; top with beef Stew Meat, onions, peppers, broth mixture and garlic. Close and lock pressure cooker lid. Use beef, stew or high-pressure setting on pressure cooker; program 25 minutes on pressure cooker timer. Use quick-release feature to release pressure; carefully remove lid. Continue as directed in step 2. (This recipe variation was tested in an electric pressure cooker at high altitude. Cooking at an altitude of less than 3000 feet may require slightly less cooking time. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.)
more recipes at www.kybeef.com
February • Cow Country • 91
University of Kentucky Extension and Kentucky Beef Network Extend Free Kentucky BQCA Certifications Becky Thompson Director, Kentucky Beef Network The Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky Extension are pleased to announce that they will be extending the free Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) certifications through February 28, 2022.
After February 28, 2022 the cost of BQCA enrollment will be $5 for in person training through local county extension offices with online training increasing to $10. The National BQA online training program at www.bqa.org also offers free enrollment.
The Kentucky BQCA program takes national BQA practices one step further to provide a holistic program for Kentucky producers, by adding cattle handling and animal care component to the training models. Educational modules provide the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being, in addition to training on the core principles of BQA.
Producers interested in taking advantage of this opportunity can visit www. kybeefnetwork.com before February 28, 2022 and access the online training platform or contact their county extension office for training opportunities. “We are very excited for this partnership for our Kentucky cattlemen to continue to tell their story to consumers through sound management practices,” says Kevin Laurent University of Kentucky Co-BQCA
Coordinator. The Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky merged their Cattle Handling and Care Program with the National BQA program to create a new program, aptly named the Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) program. This program was implemented to raise awareness of practices that ensure the proper handling and welfare of cattle while keeping farmers safe and continuing to supply healthy beef to consumers. In turn, this program enables beef and dairy producers to enhance their product, maximize marketability and strengthen consumer confidence.
Mid-South Stocker Conference Online in 2022 Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler Extension Professor, University of Kentucky Due to continued high infection rates of COVID, the 2022 Mid-South Stocker Conference will once again be offered free of charge as an online program. Last year the conference was held online with good attendance and the decision was made due to uncertainties in meeting restrictions to hold the program online again this year.
baleage production, grazing management, new research on respiratory disease, and a 2022 market outlook. The Mid-South Stocker Conference is a joint effort between University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, and industry to offer an educational program for the stocker and backgrounding sector of the industry.
The conference will be held on February 23, 2022 beginning at 12:00 pm EST. Topics to be covered this year include
To register for the conference, the following online link will be available during the week of January 11th. The
92 • Cow Country • February
link is https://tiny.utk.edu/22MSSC for registering. Once registered, an email will be sent to participants to join the Zoom program prior to the event. For additional information go to https:// midsouthstockerconference.utk.edu/ or contact your local county Extension office or email jeff.lehmkuhler@uky.edu . We hope you will join us on February 23 to hear from a great line-up of speakers.
Eden Shale Update Dan Miller Industry Coordinator, Kentucky Beef Network
K E N T U C K Y B E E F N E T W O R K FA C I L I TAT O R S
Ben Lloyd
Whitesville, KY (270) 993-1074 strridge@aol.com
Ron Shrout
Winchester, KY (606) 205-6143 ronshrout@bellsouth.net
Charles Embry
Cave City, KY (270) 646-5939 dale.embry@yahoo.com
Jeff Stephens
Ewing, KY (606) 782-7640 stephensbeef@gmail.com
Jacob Settles
Springfield, KY (859) 805-0724 jacob.settles4@yahoo.com February • Cow Country • 93
ANGUS
President: Jason Crowe Vice President: Henry B Smith Secretary/Treasurer: Anne DeMott
THE BUSINESS BREED
BLEVINS BLACK CATTLE Gary, Nicole, & Ethan Blevins 59 Fieldstone Court Greenup, KY 4114 606.465.4040 blevinsblackcattle@gmail.com
HERITAGE FARM Tom McGinnis 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell
RAGS ANGUS FARM Richard and Glenda Stallons 1240 Dogwood Kelly Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240 Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 rstallons@bellsouth.net
BOYD BEEF CATTLE 6077 Helena Road Mayslick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5194 • Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718 www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net
HILL VIEW FARMS Jimmy Gilles 5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 686-8876 (270) 929-537
SHAW FAMILY ANGUS Jim & Cathy Shaw 935 Miller Road • Hodgenville, KY 42748 (270) 769-8260 www.shawfamilyangus.com Quality Registered Angus Cattle since 1975
BRANCH VIEW ANGUS 927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, KY 40437 (859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April
JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS Angus Bulls & Females Slaughters, KY Keith: (270) 635-0723 Reese: (270) 635-1137
SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM 5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Springs, KY 42642 Charles “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898 Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311
BURKS CATTLE CO. 531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 www.burkscattle.com
LYNN CREEK FARMS Kris and Sara Lynn 2184 Bardstown Rd Springfield KY 40069 573-721-6663
ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS Eric & Sherry St. Clair 13433 Falls of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, KY 40119 Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale April 2020
BURTON & SONS ANGUS
MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS Bob, Kathy, and Rob Clark (859) 748-5558 1446 Kennedy Bridge Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Bob: (859)339-2610 • Rob: (859)612-1594 mtmoriahfarms1@gmail.com www.mtmoriahangus.com
TAMME VALLEY FARM Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator (859) 583-7134 jacob.tamme@gmail.com www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook!
COFFEY ANGUS FARMS 661 Hopewell Road Liberty, KY 42539 Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288 Dewey Coffey: (606) 787-2620 Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984
FOUR KINGS ANGUS 250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Cary & Kim King Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager
TRIPLE D ANGUS Nathaniel & Darla Denham Nathaniel(Bub), Sarah, Ashley Denham (606) 423-2457 • (606) 875-0780 tripledangus.com
JASON & KATIE CROWE ELI HASKELL 10825 Red Lick Road Irvine, KY 40336 (859) 582-0761
OLD BARK FARM 370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716 Kenley Conner 270/358-8057 Registered Angus Cattle
TWIN CREEK FARM Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson (270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304 Dennis & Emily 270/337-2128 or 270/402-4338 Watch for us in Branch View Production Sale in April
DAVIS BEND FARMS 2315 Davis Bend Road Canmer, KY 42722 timmothyljeffries@gmail.com www.davisbendfarms.com Tim: (270) 528-6605 • Leslie: (270) 528-6435
PLEASANT HILL FARMS Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 500 Rockfield Richpond Road Rockfield, KY 42274 (270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005 Located 7 miles west of Bowling Green, 1/2 mile off Hwy 68/80
WHITE FARM Tim and Amy White 3664 Military Pike • Lexington, KY 40513 Home: (859)223-0326 Tim: (859) 509-5401 • Amy (859)227-2552 whitefarm4@twc.com
Joe D. or Karen Burton Bryan Carman, Partner, Ridgeview Angus 480 Hominy Hill Rd. Nancy, KY 42544 Joe: (606) 305-3081 • Bryan: (606) 875-3453 Located 15 miles West of Somerset • klburton01@windstream.net Bulls & females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy.
FALL CREEK ANGUS 448 Corder Farm Road Monticello, KY 42633 Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588 GREAT MEADOWS ANGUS ASSOCIATION Spring Sale: 4th Saturday in April Fall Sale: 3rd Saturday in October www.greatmeadowsangus.com Paul Bradshaw (502) 817-7502 HAINES ANGUS FARMS 5294 Park City- Glasgow Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Kenneth Haines, Jr.: (270) 749-8862 HAMILTON ANGUS FARMS Eddie Hamilton 2142 Stilesville Road Science Hill, KY 42553 edjohami@aol.com (606) 271-1286 Bulls and Females for Sale
KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NAME
FARM NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
PHONE 1
PHONE 2
ZIP
Return to: Anne DeMott 1220 Angus Trail • Lexington, Kentucky 40509 • Annaul Dues $35
Friday
March 4 Kentucky Exposition Center 937 Phillips Lane • Louisville, KY 40209 At the Intersection of I-264 Watterson Expressway and I-65
Saturday
March 5 Co-Sponsors
Show Heifer Prospects Bred Heifers • Cow/Calf Pairs Bulls For sale book contact: Kris Lynn
danielklynn@gmail.com • 573-721-6663
www.kybeefexpo.com February • Cow Country • 95
KENTUCKY
GELBVIEH GELBVIEH KENTUCKY
AA LAND & CATTLE
A S S O C I AT I O N
LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC
Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers William McIntosh, President...........................................................................(502) Registered Gelbvieh Cattle Cynthiana, KY 106 Clark Houk Road • Greensburg, KY 42743 Luke Arthur (859) 298-8323 Luke Arthur, Vice President.............................................................................(859) Larry Clark, Owner & Operator luke.arthur93@gmail.com (270) 299-5167 • (270) 405-6848 Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos Pat Tilghman, Secretary/Treasurer.....................................................................(270) Lpclarkandsons@msn.com Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects
BAR IVAALIVESTOCK LAND & CATTLE
Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad&Racke Registered Gelbvieh Balancers 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Cynthiana, KY Spring, KY 41076 Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 Arthur (859) Brad cellLuke (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell298-8323 (859) 393-3730 Fax (859)luke.arthur93@gmail.com 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com
Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects
BEE LICK GELBVIEHS
Eddie Reynolds IV Rd. LIVESTOCK 277 OldBAR Bee Lick Barry, KY Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke Crab Orchard, 40419 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076 606-379-2281(H) 606-305-1972(C) (859) • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 Bulls &Phone Females for 635-3832 sale Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com
David Slaughter, President.......................(270) 556-4259 JoeA Piles, President...........................(502) 507-3845 S SVice OC I AT I O N PatTilghman,Secretary/Treasurer..............(270) 670-8449
867-3132 298-8323 670-8449
CLIFFORD BRIANFARMS W. DYER, DVM
3459Owner/Manager KY HWY 1284E GELBVIEH/BALANCERS Cynthiana, KY 41031 2050 Glasgow Road Since 1937 Cattle for sale Burkesville, at all times. (859) 234-6956 KY 42717 Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia (270) 864-5909
BRIAN W. DYER, DVM
Owner/Manager FULL CIRCLE FARMS GELBVIEH/BALANCERS 2050Registered Glasgow Road Gelbvieh Cattle Burkesville, KY 42717 Brad Burke Brian,989 Lauren, Kristen & Julia Metcalf MillBarry, RoadEmily • Ewing KY 41039 (270)(H) 864-5909 606-267-5609 • (C) 606-782-1367
gbb789@windstream.net
FULL CIRCLE FARMS
BEE LICK GELBVIEHS
Eddie Reynolds 277 Old Bee Lick Rd. Crab Orchard, KY 40419 606-379-2281(H) 606-305-1972(C) Bulls & Females for sale CD FARMS Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road BRAY’S GELBVIEH CATTLE Brodhead, KY 40409 Niles & Betty K Bray (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994
1568 Bray Ridge Road Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale Bedford, by Private Treaty KY 40006
Registered Gelbvieh Cattle BradKILBOURNE Burke GELBVIEH 989 Metcalf Mill Road KY • Ewing KY 41039 East Bernstadt, (H) 606-267-5609 • (C) 606-782-1367 606-843-6583 gbb789@windstream.net
cell 606-309-4662 Black Replacement Heifers & Bulls Available Embryo transplant & AI sired calves
KILBOURNE GELBVIEH
East Bernstadt, KY 606-843-6583 MOCKINGBIRD HILL FARMS cell 606-309-4662 BlackRegistered Replacement Heifers &Cattle Bulls Available Gelbvieh Embryo transplant AI sired calvesRd. Shane Wells & 10172 Provo
Rochester, KY H: 270-934-2198 C: 270-791-8196 swells@logantele.com MOCKINGBIRD HILL FARMS
(502) 255-3584
UPCOMING EVENTS
CD FARMS
Saturday Clayton & Debbie Cash May 15 1214 Ottawa Road Kentucky JuniorSchool Gelbvieh Show & Learning Clinic Brodhead, KY 40409 McIntosh Brothers Farm • 3348 Frankfort Road • Georgetown (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994
Registered Gelbvieh Cattle Shane Wells 10172 Provo Rd. Rochester, KY H: 270-934-2198 C: 270-791-8196 swells@logantele.com
AGJA 3459 Eastern Junior Show “Run for the Roses” KYRegional HWY 1284E
information at 270-670-8449 JOIN KENTUCKY GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION Mail to: 690 Lick Branch Road, Glasgow, Kentucky 42141 FARM NAME
JOIN KENTUCKY GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION Mail to: 690 Lick Branch Road, Glasgow, Kentucky 42141 FARM NAME
ADRESS
YOUR NAME
PLEASANT MEADOWS FARM
Gary & Pat Tilghman Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family BurleyCynthiana, Fields Livestock Center • 709 Oil Fields Road • Horse Cave KY 41031 Lindsey & Garland Gilliam Family CallSince Carrie Derossett 1937 for more information. (270) 404-0828 PLEASANT MEADOWS FARM 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141 Cattle for sale & Pat Tilghman (859) 234-6956 Entry and room information available at www.gelbvieh.org at all times. Gary 270.646.7024 • pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.com (Juniors/Regional Shows/AGJA Eastern Regional)
American Gelbvieh Association Advertise today! 303-465-2333 | www.gelbvieh.org Contact Pat Tilghman for more
YOUR NAME
10AM Learning • 12:30PM Show Gelbvieh-Balancer BullsClinic & Heifers Sale McIntosh by Privatefor Treaty CallFor William more information. (502) 867-3132
May 28 - May 30 CLIFFORDFriday FARMS
Meeting modern industry demands: • Added Fertility • Increased Efficiency • More pounds of calf weaned
Lindsey Tilghman Jones Family Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141 270.646.7024 • pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.com
KENTUCKY GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, January 29, 2022 11:00am EST Lunch will be provided Nelson County Extension Office 317 S. Third Street • Bardstown, KY 40004
2022 KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU BEEF EXPO
State Fairgrounds-Louisville, Kentucky Gelbvieh Show-Friday, March 4, 2022 @ 1:00 P.m. (Eastern) Sale-Saturday, March 5, 2022 @ 11:30 A.m. (Eastern)
CITY, STATE
ZIP
ADRESS EMAIL
PHONE
CITY, STATE
ZIP
Dues are $25/year, payable to Kentucky Gelbvieh Association
PHONE
Dues are $25/year, payable to Kentucky Gelbvieh Association
SI KE SI MM N M E T M N U EN TA C TA L K L SH Y SA O B LE W: E : M M EF AR ARC E CH H XP 5• 4• O 11 4PM AM
NO LIGHTWEIGHTS
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STAND STRONG
SIMMENTAL 406-587-4531 • simmental.org
KEVIN AND RACHEL BARRON Crestwood, Ky (502) 905-5851 rkbarron812@gmail.com
SWAIN SELECT SIMMENTAL 12113 Green Valley Dr. Louisville, KY 40243 frederickswain@bellsouth.net facebook.com/swainselectsimmental Fred & Phyllis: 502-245-3866 502-599-4560 Chi & Angie: 502-287-2116
JUDY AND RONDAL DAWSON 1156 Buzzard Roost Road Shelbyville, KY 40065 502-593-5136 • jrdawson22@outlook.com
ROCKING P LIVESTOCK 8308 Orangeburg Road Maysville, KY 41056 Chan: 606-584-7581 Keith: 606-584-5626 rockingplivestock@maysvilleky.net
JOIN KENTUCKY SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION Mail to: Laura Jackson 1254 Cynthiana Road Paris, KY 40361 FARM NAME
YOUR NAME
BRIAN & HEATHER SWAIN 3906 Pottertown Road Murray, KY 42071 • 270-293-4440 wksbswain@murray-ky.net SIMMENTAL AND SIMANGUS BULLS FOR SALE
ADRESS
CITY, STATE
1939 Huntertown Road Versailles, KY 40383 BULLS FOR SALE Chris Allen 859-351-4486 callenuky@hotmail.com Dr. Henry Allen 859-229-0755
ZIP
WORK PHONE
HOME PHONE
Call or visit one of these Simmental breeders for cattle that work!
BILL KAISER • Shelbyville, KY • 502.639.4337
BRET AND LAURA JACKSON 859.533.3718 or 859.707.7200
www.kysimmental.com Membership Fee is $25.00
PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM State and National Beef Promotion and Research Programs Information is required by 7 CRF 1260.201. Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential per 7 CRF 1260.203.
TODAY’S DATE
ID NUMBER (IF KNOWN)
SELLER’S NAME
BUYER’S NAME
ADDRESS
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP
CITY
SELLER’S SIGNATURE
STATE
ZIP
BUYER’S SIGNATURE
Both the seller and the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Kentucky Beef Council. DATE OF SALE
TOTAL NUMBER OF CATTLE SOLD
STATE OF ORIGIN*
X X
$1.OO per Head Federal Checkoff $1.OO per Head State Checkoff
Total Checkoff Payment for Federal and State
$
PERSON REMITTING FORM
+
BUYER
SELLER
PHONE
$
=
*If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.
$
Send Report and Remittance to: Kentucky Beef Council 176 Pasadena Drive Lexington, KY 40503 For additional information: call 859-278-0899 or email beef@kycattle.org
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 05810093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. February • Cow Country • 99
Kentucky Hereford Association Kentucky Beef Expo March 4-6 Show March 4 at 1 • Sale March 5 at 1 Ky Junior Heifer Show-Sat 4:00 Junior Heifer Show Sunday 8:00 Toby & Debby Dulworth 2492 S. Kirkman Road LaCenter, KY 42056 (270) 224-2993 dogwood@brtc.net
The Dogwood Difference? Total Performance Polled Herefords that trive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com
WELLS FARM Polled Herefords
439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701 Bobby & Brenda Wells (606) 523-0569 or (606) 344-0417 wells_farm@yahoo.com Kevin, Angela, Kenlea & Kyler Murray (606) 528-1691 or (606) 682-8413
KHA OFFICERS President: Chris Schalk Secretary/ Treasurer: Earlene Thomas 859-623-5734 thomasep@roadrunner.com
NJB Limited Dale Stith
5239 Old Sardis Pike Mays Lick, KY 41055 dalestith@yahoo.com (918) 760-1550 Home of Select Sires’ Boyd Fort Knox 17yxz54040
TK4 Herefords
K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS 6077 Helena Road Mayslick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II 606-584-5194
Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls
MPH Farms
Registered Polled Herefords PAUL L. HANCOCK 8559 KY 56 Owensboro, KY 42301 270-771-4194
Chambliss Hereford Farms Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss
1101 Driftwood Lane Elizabethtown, KY 42701 Home (270) 982-3905 Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922 www.chamblissherefordfarms.com
KYLE BUSH K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM 859-588-4531 198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031
THOMAS FARM
Jackson Farms
Registered Polled Herefords 8103 Bill Moss Road White House, TN 37188 Home/Fax: 615-672-4483 Cell: 615-478-4483 billymjackson@aol.com “Farming the Same Land Since 1834”
Eric & Ronnie Thomas 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 623-5734 Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256
“Cattle for sale at all times”
HEREFORDS
Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355 rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com
Polled Hereford and Gelbvieh Cattle 3459 KY Hwy. 1284 E. Cythiana, KY 41031
Tony & Kathy Staples 992 Knotts Road
(859) 234-6956
Brandenburg, KY 40108 (270) 422-4220 tstaples@bbtel.com
Windy Hills Farm
Registered Polled Herefords
Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln
Jackie D. Perkins II 367 Mt. Pisgah Rd. Bremen, KY 42325 (270) 543-3586
Breeding to produce good cows since 1981
PILE STOCK FARM HANSELL PILE, JR.
12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724 270-735-5192 270-862-4462 12 miles West of Elizabethtown
WOLF FARM
WCN Polled Herefords Since 1961 Bill & Libby Norris 2220 Celina Road Burkesville, KY 42717
Phone (270) 433-7256 Cell (270) 433-1525 “Every calf needs a white face”
Registered Polled Herefords
Bulls & Females for sale
Tim & Peggy Wolf 12939 Peach Grove Road Alexandria, KY 41001 Home: 859-635-0899 Cell: 859-991-3484
BECKLEY HEREFORDS L. Wayne Beckley • 1420 Fitchburg Rd. Ravenna, KY 40472 • 606-723-3021 Cell: 859-779-0962 L.W. Beckley D.V.M 284 Pyrse Lane • Irvine, KY 40336 Cell: 859-779-1419 • Clinic: 606-726-0000
www.beckleyherefords.com
“Breeding Polled Herefords for over 58 Years” Breeding cattle for sale at all times.
1999 Walnut Hill Rd. Lexington, KY 40515 (859) 271-9086 cell (859)533-3790
WATSON LAND & CATTLE Peyton’s Well Polled Herefords The Lowell Atwood Family
133 Edgewood Drive • Stanford, KY (606) 365-2520 home/fax (606) 669-1455 cell
Victor- influenced cattle bred for performance on grass.
“Black cows need a good Hereford Bull”
Old Fall Creek Farms
AHA & KHA member • Proven bloodlines Private treaty sales • Visitors welcome 1874 Old Fall Creek Road Monticello, KY 42633 Reed Bertram (606) 348-7486 David Bertram (606) 278-3630 www.ofcfarms.com
Danny Miller jmspolledherefords.com 270-465-6984 270-566-2694
Matt, Melinda, Harlee, & Wyatt Watson 6196 Mount Sterling Rd Flemingsburg, Kentucky melindawatson8660@gmail.com Matt - 606-748-1600 Melinda - 859-625-8660
CATTLE FOR SALE AT ALL TIMES
Tucker Stock Farms “Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”
John Tucker II 1790 Hidden Valley Lane Hudson, KY 40145 270-617-0301 “Bulls always for Sale”
LIMOUSIN
B.F. Evans Cattle Company Byron Evans
CUMMINS POLLED LIMOUSIN
David & Donald P. Cummins 4312 Willow-Lenoxburg Rd. Foster, KY 41043 David: 606-747-5886 (C) 606.782.7003 cumminsd@windstream.net
G
IN ET T
GS LAND & C AT T
Buck’s Limousin Farm
“The Best Kept Secret in Eastern Kentucky” John Buck: (606) 474-7451 • (606) 922-8174 2494 South St. Hwy. 7, Grayson, KY. 41143 johnbuck474@windstream.net “cattle for sale - private treaty”
P.O. Box 1509 599 Ray Allen Lane Versailles, KY 40383 Byron 859-509-8046 bfevanscattlecompany@gmail.com byron.evans59@yahoo.com byron.evans59@yahoo.co m
Fullblood & Purebred Embryos & Semen Stephen: 270-799-8685 760 Emily Court Bowling Green, KY 42101 achhlimousin@twc.com Facebook: ACHH Limousin
Breeders of the Bluegrass
LE
Tom & Chris Daniel
Daniel Gettings
Elbow Bend & Center Point Rd. Tompkinsville, KY 42167
(270) 487-9454 or (270) 202-7755
“Registered Limousin - LimFlex - Angus Genetics”
5171 Camargo-Levee Rd. • Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 859-498-0030 859-585-1785 859-585-8388 “Your source of purebred homopolled/homoblack.”
Ri c c i R o l a nD Ricci & Brenda Roland 423 Lebus Lane Cynthiana, KY 41031 859-234-3986 • 859-234-7344 rolandlimousin@earthlink.net
Allen & Jon Anderson 260 Henderson Rd. Eubank, KY 42567 Allen: 606-872-8072 Jon: 606-305-8859 “Quality Limousin + LimFlex Cattle!”
WHITE LIMOUSIN & WHITE ANGUS
Donald & Mary Ann Wenzel
994 Airport Road • Falmouth, KY 41040
(859) 654-3612 • (859) 322-0752 maryawenz@aol.com
TOMORROW’S REGISTERED WHITE ANGUS TODAY!
Joey & Donnie Massey 80 Sublimity School Rd. • London, KY 40744 606-682-2126 • 606-682-2125
Decker Family Limousin & LimFlex Kenny & Tiffany Decker Leitchfield, KY • (270) 589-7999
R
ING OAKS FAR O LL M
Terry W. McPhetridge • 606-843-6903 Cell: 606-524-9241 1645 Winding Blade Rd. East Bernstadt, KY 40729
Bob Minerich, 859-582-6888 2003 Barnes Mill Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 minegwen@aol.com “Cattle for sale private treaty”
Greg Blaydes 859-338-9402 James Hicks 859-227-0490 1225 E. Leestown Rd. Midway, KY 40347
BULLS - HEIFERS PROCESSED BEEF
Brad Kidd (606) 495-6396 (606) 738-9493 Paul Kidd (606) 743-7349 8254 Hwy 711 West Liberty KY 41472
Performance you can count on! Russ Crum • 2423 KY Hwy 3003 Cynthiana, KY 41031 • 859-298-8713
FOUNDATION SALE VIII
September 17, 2022 • 1PM CST United Producers Facility • Bowling Green, KY Selling FULLBLOOD & PUREBRED LIMOUSIN Genetics • To consign or for catalog call ACH Holdings, LLC, Steven Haynes 270-799-8685
CALENDAR OF EVENTS DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
FEB 1-3
NCBA Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show
AD
Houston, TX
FEB 14-MAR 4
Mayhaven Farm Seed Days
Waynesburg, KY
FEB 16-19
National Farm Machinery Show
Louisville, KY
FEB 18
White Hawk Ranch
Buchanan, GA
FEB 19
Yon Family Farms Spring Sale
Ridge Spring, SC
FEB 24
2021 Virtual Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference
Bowling Green, KY
FEB 26
Pleasant Hill Farms March Madness Bull & Heifer Sale
Bowling Green, KY
3
FEB 26
North Missouri Bull Sale
Kingsville, MO
33
FEB 28
Woodall Angus 27th Annual Buyer’s Choice Bull Sale
Quality, KY
15
FEB 28
Robert Elliott & Sons 87th Anniversary Production Sale
Adams, TN
24
MARCH 4-6
Kentucky Beef Expo
Louisville, KY
33
MARCH 5
Arkansas Bull Sale
Hope, AR
33
36
37
MARCH 5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Black Hereford Sale
Louisville, KY
87
MARCH 5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Red Angus Sale
Louisville, KY
87
MARCH 5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Kentucky Angus Sweepstakes
Louisville, KY
95
MARCH 7
Stone Gate Farm Annual Sale
Flemingsburg, KY
7
MARCH 11
26th Annual Smithland Angus Bull & Female Sale
Russell Springs, KY
11
MARCH 12
Boyd Beef Cattle Angus & Hereford Bull Sale
Mays Lick, KY
43
MARCH 12
Red Reward Bul & Female Sale
Osceola, MO
33
MARCH 19
Red Hill Farms More Than a Bull Sale
Lafayette, TN
17
MARCH 19
Black is the Color 2022 Production Sale
Nancy, KY
55
MARCH 19
White Farm Bull & Commercial Female Sale
Lexington, KY
9
MARCH 19
Fayette County Farm Bureau’s 39th Annual In Person & Online Farm Equipment Consignment Auction
Lexington, KY
79
MARCH 5
27th Annual Bulls & More Sale (BoPat Farms)
Bradford, TN
36
MARCH 5
C-Cross Cattle Company Bull & Female Sale
Snow Camp, NC
45
MARCH 26
South Missouri Bull & Female Sale
Carthage, MO
33
MARCH 5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Pen Heifer Show & Sale
Louisville, KY
83
MARCH 26
Bluegrass Gelbvieh Alliance Joint Production Sale
Lexington, KY
31
MARCH 5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Kentucky National Shorthorn Show & Sale
Louisville, KY
84
MARCH 26
Genetic Advantage Bull Sale
Paris, KY
41
MARCH 28
Smiths Grove, KY
4-5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Simmental Sale
Oak Hollow First Choice Bull Sale
Louisville, KY
12
Louisville, KY
85
Laurel County Cattlemen’s Association 9th Annual Commercial Open Heifer Sale
London, KY
MARCH 5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Charolais Show & Sale
APR 2
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Hereford Sale
APR 2
Belles & Bulls of the Bluegrass
Lexington, KY
16
MARCH 5
Louisville, KY
86
APR 9
Branch View Angus
Hustonville, KY
108
MARCH 5
KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo Gelbvieh/Balancer Sale
APR 9
Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale
Red House, VA
13
MARCH 5
Louisville, KY
85
86
DIAMOND J SALERS
SALERS T H E
B A L A N C E D
B R E E D
Donald Johnson • 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-379-1558
WILLIS FARMS
Danny Willis • 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 • 502-803-5011 drwc21@aol.com
DEL-SU FARM
Howard & Sue Edwards • 420 Rose Rd • Somerset, KY 42501 606-679-1675 • Jeriah Privett • 606-416-1154
KNOB LICK FARM - BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE Larry Cox • Tina Cox-Lynch • Amanda Cox Gibson • 1315 Knob Lick Road • Irvine, KY 40336 • 606-723-3077 • 606-975-1716
102 • Cow Country • February
AD INDEX
REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE * FREE DELIVERY * FOUR WINDS FARM
New Castle, Kentucky
(502) 296-1044
PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE Call 270-202-7186 for more info or check out www.oakhollowangus.com for current availability. FOR SALE 19-20 month old Polled Hereford bulls. Good selection. Low birthweight, medium frame. Free Delivery Available.JMS Polled Herefords, Knifley, KY Danny 270-566-2694 Trent 270-566-2000 FOUNDATION SALE VIII September 17, 2022 Selling FULLBLOOD & PUREBRED LIMOUSIN Genetics For info call: A C H Holdings, LLC Stephen Haynes 270-799-8685 RED ANGUS FOR SALE Bulls: Yearlings and 2-year-olds. Open Heifers. Show Heifer Prospects. Contact: Johnnie Cundiff 606-305-6443 or 606-871-7438
SORTING POLES – PADDLES – FLAGS Poles with your 8” decal, $6.70 each for 50 or $7.25 each per 25. Sorting flag, $12.00, Sorting paddles, $9. Ear tag cutters with print, quantities at $3.25 each. Kerndt Livestock Products, 800-207-3115 BUSH SIMMENTALS Black Simmental and Simangus Bulls Genomic Enhanced EPDS Homozygous Black 502-750-4190 I'm building a pole barn and LOOKING FOR A WOODEN/OAK BARN TO TAKE DOWN AND HAUL OFF for this purpose. Please call 859-797-0106 if you have an old barn you want taken down." within a 60 miile radius of cynthiana preferred
John Deere 5055 - 4wd-Ldr-192 hrs-$37,500 Stoltzfus -LIME -LITTER- FERTILIZER Spreader 12 Silage wagons to select from John Deere 4020 -3 to choose from REGISTERED BLACK SIMMENTAL BULLS Silage Carts- 5 to select from @$3500 Many blaze faced. Excellent EPD’s. Semen Tested. Manure spreaders- 8 instock Delivery Available. Maximize your profit with John Deere 5325 - 2 wd drive with loader John proven performance. All bulls qualify for new CAIP Deere 7200- cab -16 speed Esch High speed Grain cost-share. Adam Wheatley 502-349-2665 Drills- 7/10/12 ft in stocl Horning Headers - ready to ship! BREEDING AGE HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE John Deere 3975 - base unit- $32,500 AT ALL TIMES Over 60 years of Line 1 Hereford Artex SB 600 Spreader -in stock Genetics. Groups of open and bred heifers John Deere 468 - net $14,500 available for sale at all times. John Deere 566- twine $12,000 Chambliss Hereford Farms. 270-668-7126 Meyer 510 TMR mixers - In STOCK Cloverdale 420-500 T -TMR mixers - in Stock COMPREHENSIVE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT Stoltzfus 10 ton Litter spreader $35,000 New PLANS (CNMPS) Holland 790 choppers-$8500 Gehl 8335 feeder Livestock manure management planning, manure wagon $7500 Artex SB 200- vertical beater- for storage facility planning, and water quality BMPs rental JD 6400- loader-4wd- open-$25,000 Farmco implementation. Ben Koostra - Professional feeder wagons-5 in stock-call John Deere 6300Engineer and NRCS Technical Service Provider 4 wd- cab-12 speed-$35,000 Lexington - 859-559-4662 WWW.REDBARNANDASSOCIATES.COM Charlie B. Edgington 859-608-9745
Allison Charolais.......................................10 American Angus Association.......................25 Arrow Farm Equipment..............................21 Belles/Bulls of the Bluegrass.......................16 BioZyme, Inc...........................................42 Blevins Black Cattle................................... 6 Bluegrass Gelbiveh Alliance.......................31 Blue Grass Stockyards................................53 BoPat Farms...........................................36 Boyd Beef Cattle......................................43 Branch View Angus ................................ 108 Bridgeview Angus Farm.............................81 Burkmann Nutrition...................................30 C-Cross Cattle Company............................45 Cargill.......................................................23 Central Farm Supply.................................39 Dura Cast...............................................38 Fayette Co. Farm Bureau Equipment Auction......79 Genetic Advantage Bull Sale.......................41 Green River Fence....................................27 Hayes Trailer Sales.................................... 6 John Deere.............................................. 2 Kentucky Angus Association...................94-95 Kentucky Beef Expo..................................84 Kentucky Beef Expo - Black Hereford.............87 Kentucky Beef Expo - Charolais...................85 Kentucky Beef Expo - Gelbvieh/Balancer.......86 Kentucky Beef Expo - Hereford.....................86 Kentucky Beef Expo - Pen Heifer ..................83 Kentucky Beef Expo - Red Angus..................87 Kentucky Beef Expo - Shorthorn...................85 Kentucky Beef Expo - Simmental..................84 Kentucky Gelbvieh Association...................97 Kentucky Hereford Association....................100 Kentucky Salers Association.......................102 Kentucky Simmental Association..................98 Knoll Crest Farms.....................................13 Kuhn..........................................................29 Laurel County Cattlemen’s Open Heifer Sale...12 Limousin Breeders of the Bluegrass..............101 Mayhaven Farm.......................................36 McBurney’s Livestock Equipment.................14 Mid South Ag LLC.....................................52 Multimin ............................................. 107 Oak Hollow............................................4-5 Pleasant Hill Farms................................... 3 Red Barn & Associates............................ 106 Red Hill Farms.........................................17 Robert Elliott & Sons Angus........................24 Seedstock Plus........................................33 Smithland Angus......................................11 St. Clair Farms........................................52 Stone Gate Farms.......................................7 Triple T Cattle Company.............................55 United Producers, Inc.................................57 White Farm.............................................. 9 Woodall Angus........................................15 Yon Family Farms.....................................37 Zoetis...................................................56 February • Cow Country • 103
After the Storm: Considerations for Managing Cattle In the Aftermath of Severe Weather Dr. Katie VanValin Extension Professor, University of Kentucky December is one of the busiest times for many of us. It’s breeding season for fall calving herds, and many are starting winter feeding programs. In addition to everyday farm life, December also brings the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. However, this year for many people throughout western Kentucky and beyond, December brought unimaginable destruction and devastation in the form of a devastating tornado outbreak on December 10th and 11th, 2021. The University of Kentucky Research and Education Center in Princeton, KY, suffered catastrophic damages from an EF-4 tornado on the evening of December 10th. Although the destruction the tornado left behind is devastating, the University of Kentucky community is fortunate that there was no loss of life amongst our colleagues, and the injuries were minor. Unfortunately, the beef herd at the UKREC lost cattle in the storm and in the days that followed. However, when standing in the rubble of our buildings or in our debrisridden pastures, I often think that it is truly a miracle that our people and our cattle were not more severely impacted by the storm. There is no doubt that severe weather can cause significant disruptions to cattle operations. While some of the impacts are noticeable and will be felt immediately, others may not be so obvious and maybe felt for many years to come. Human Life. In the immediate aftermath of severe weather, priority should be placed on ensuring that everyone is accounted for and safe. Once family members, friends, and neighbors are accounted for, and severe weather is no longer a threat, it is time to focus on agricultural damages and losses. Securing Animals. Every effort should be made to safely secure livestock in areas where fencing may have been impacted. Cattle getting out onto roadways can cause a secondary emergency. Securing cattle may involve: •
Moving them to a location where
104 • Cow Country • February
perimeter fencing has less damage. •
Combining multiple groups of cattle into one area.
•
Installing temporary fencing.
•
Making repairs to damaged fences.
Electricity may be out; solar-powered fence chargers are especially useful when installing temporary fences. When securing animals on a stormdamaged operation, evaluating feed and water resources is also essential. It is possible that even if your operation only sustained minor damages, that impacts to surrounding areas could impact municipalities. It may be necessary to haul water to cattle. The storm may have affected feed resources, including hay, grain, and feeding equipment. People in the agricultural community are quick to jump in and help, so taking a few moments to determine your needs will allow others to assist you more efficiently. At the UKREC, we lost water and needed to have water trucked in for several days. Thankfully, local farmers and the fire department were more than happy to help us haul water to our cattle in the days following the storm. To account for cattle and determine if any may be missing, it is helpful to have an upto-date list of animal numbers and pasture locations. As animals may be in larger groups and possibly confined to smaller areas, it can be difficult to accurately count cattle; especially calves. Have an individual animal I.D. system and an accurate list of tag numbers so numbers can be checked off as cattle are accounted for. Animal injuries. Cattle will likely suffer injuries during violent storms, including lacerations and broken bones. When possible, work with a veterinarian to evaluate the injuries sustained during the storm and develop treatment protocols for those animals that can be treated or humanely euthanize severely injured animals. One thing that should be considered during this time is your ability to treat and care for injured animals. Cattle handling facilities and barns may have also
been damaged in the storm, making the safe treatment of some injuries difficult or impossible. The goal here is to do no harm. There may be injuries that could otherwise be treated in a typical scenario that may require euthanasia in a disaster scenario. Again, when possible, work with a veterinarian to evaluate cattle on the operation. Animal death. Unfortunately, some cattle die from injuries sustained during weather events. While the hope is that this number is low, the herd mentality of cattle means they often congregate together, leading to the devastating loss of life during natural disasters. Be sure to keep an accurate count of animals that are lost during the storms. The United States Department of Agriculture’s livestock indemnity program will help financially compensate producers that lose livestock. Other programs may also be available to help, so contact your local extension office, USDA-FSA office, and emergency management office. Ensure you know the programs available to you and the documentation and deadlines associated with these programs. Proper carcass disposal is also critical. Again, every effort must be made to not create secondary issues during the aftermath of a weather emergency. In Kentucky, acceptable methods of animal disposal include burial and composting. If you are unsure of how to or cannot properly dispose of animals on your operation, reach out to your local county extension office or emergency management offices for assistance. Hardware disease. Hardware disease occurs when ruminants consume metal debris, including screws, nails, and metal wire. This debris becomes logged in the reticulum, the first compartment in a ruminant animal’s stomach. These metal fragments can cause damage to or puncture the wall of the reticulum, diaphragm, or the pericardium (protective sac around the heart). Hardware disease can be challenging to diagnose because its symptoms, including depression, poor appetite, and reluctance to move, can often
One of the barns collapsed at the UKREC beef unit, other barns, silos, handling facilities and fences also sustained damage in the storm.
mimic other conditions. Placing a magnet in the reticulum can help attract metal debris away from the walls of the reticulum, which can treat or prevent hardware disease. Every effort should be made to prevent the ingestion of metal objects by carefully clearing affected pastures of storm debris. The use of commercial-grade magnets can help clear pastures. Additionally, metal detectors can be used to identify metal debris. However, these tools will not detect or collect all potentially harmful debris in pastures. It is also important to ensure that feeds such as hay or grains were not contaminated with metal debris that cattle could ingest. Reproductive complications. Stress has a negative impact on reproductive outcomes, and undoubtedly severe weather events cause stress on livestock. Stress can significantly decrease conception rates of cattle. Although, we would typically expect tornadic activity to impact the breeding season of spring calving herds, this outbreak
happened to occur during the breeding season for fall calving herds. At the UKREC, we utilize A.I., and the entire herd happened to be bred the morning of December 10th. We expect conception rates to A.I. to be extremely low, especially in the animals most affected by the tornado. Additionally, cattle may also abort due to the stress of weather events. Pregnancy is a luxury; it is not necessary for survival. Thus, when cows experience stress, such as extreme weather events, biological processes kick in to help them survive (think fight or flight response). These processes affect every part of the body with the end goal of helping the cow survive. Thus, luxury processes such as pregnancy or even lactation can be negatively affected by stress. Keep a close eye on nursing calves in the days and weeks following storms, especially those whose dam may have been injured or killed due to the storms. These reproductive complications will likely go unnoticed at first but can have
devastating impacts on the herd’s future. Work with your county extension agent and local veterinarians to help assess the potential reproductive impacts on the cow herd. The impact of these tornadoes will be felt for many years to come in the impacted regions. If you or someone you know has been affected by the storms, continue to seek assistance as the recovery process is long and challenging. These storms were so powerful and brought so much destruction in just a matter of seconds. Still, the strength, resilience, kindness, and generosity of friends, neighbors, colleagues, and complete strangers from all over the United States has been stronger. The debris will be cleaned up in time, and the physical structures that make up the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center will be rebuilt. In the meantime, the people of the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center will strive to continue our work serving the agricultural community of Kentucky and beyond. February • Cow Country • 105
T I M E L Y
T I P S
F O R
F E B R U A R Y
Spring Calving Herds
Fall-Calving Herds
•
Have calving equipment, supplies and labor ready for the spring calving season. Some supplies which may be needed are: eartags and applicator (put numbers on eartags now), tattoo pliers and ink, record book, scales for calf weights, iodine for calves' navels and colostrum supplement. Calving equipment (puller and chains, etc.) and facilities should be ready and clean. Keep your veterinarians phone number handy!
• Breeding season should end this month – maybe Valentine’s Day. Remove bulls and confine them so that they regain condition.
Overall condition of the cow herd should be evaluated. Cows losing weight now are more likely to have weak or dead calves. These cows will likely be a poor source of colostrum milk for the newborn calf. Feed cows, if necessary to keep them in good body condition. Cows need to calve in a BCS of 5, minimum, to expect them to rebreed in a timely fashion. Calve you heifers a little heavier, BCS of 6.
• Provide windbreaks or clean shelter for calves.
•
•
Heifers may begin head-start calving in early February. Move them to a clean, accessible pasture, away from cow herd and near facilities so that calving assistance can be given. Cows may start calving later this month. Signs of calving are relaxation of pelvic ligaments, enlargement and swelling of the vulva, and enlargement of the udder. Expect calving difficulty if (1) calf's head and two feet are not visible, (2) only the calf's tail is visible, and (3) the cow has been in labor for 11⁄2 hours. Be sure calf is being presented normally before using calf puller. Recognize situations that are beyond your capability and seek professional help as early as possible. Calves that aren’t breathing should receive assistance. Try sticking a straw in nostril to stimulate a reflex or try alternate pressure and release on rib cage. Commercial respirators are also available. Calves should consume colostrum within 30 minutes of birth to achieve good immunity.
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Record birthdate, cow I.D., and birthweight immediately (use your Beef IRM calendar). Identify calf with eartag and/or tattoo. Registered calves should be weighed in the first 24 hours. Male calves in commercial herds should be castrated and implanted as soon as possible.
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Separate cows that calve away from dry cows and increase their feed. Increase feed after calving to 25-27 pounds of high quality hay. Concentrate (3-4 lb. for mature cows and about 8 lb. for first-calf heifers) may be needed if you are feeding lower quality hay. Supplementation may have a beneficial effect on date and rate of conception. It’s important time to feed a beef cow after calving. Thin cows don't come into heat very soon after calving. We must have cows in good condition, if we plan to breed them early in the season for best pregnancy rates, especially on high-endophyte fescue pastures.
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Sub-zero weather can mean death for newborn calves. During extremely cold spells, bring the cow(s) into a sheltered area as calving approaches to protect the calf. Be prepared to warm-up and feed newborn, chilled calves. Calving in mud can also cause problems.
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Watch for scours in newborn calves. Consult your veterinarian for diagnosis, cause, and treatment. Avoid muddy feeding areas so that cows' udders won't become contaminated and spread scours. Don't confine cows to muddy lots.
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Replacement heifers should be gaining adequately to reach target breeding weights by April 1st. Be sure that their feeding program is adequate for early breeding.
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Start looking for herd sire replacements, if needed.
106 • Cow Country • February
• Consider creep feed or creep grazing (wheat, etc.) to supply extra nutrition to fall-born calves which may have to depend solely on their dam’s milk supply for growth. They are not getting much except their dam’s milk now (i.e. there is nothing to graze). February/March is the worst time of the year for fall-born calves.
General Reminders • Increase feed as temperature drops. When temperature falls below 15 degrees, cattle need access to windbreaks. For each 10 degree drop below 15 degrees, add three pounds of hay, two pounds of corn, or six pounds of silage to their rations. • Provide water at all times. Watch for frozen pond hazards. If cattle are watering in a pond, be sure to keep ice “chopped” to keep cattle from walking on the ice and, possibly, breaking through. Keep automatic waterers working. • You should be feeding a mineral supplement with adequate magnesium to prevent grass tetany (~ 15% Mg) now. The Hi-mag UK Beef IRM mineral can be used now. • Control lice. Watch for signs such as rubbing. • Begin pasture renovation. You can overseed clover on frozen or snow-covered pastures.
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Add pounds and dollars to your calf crop! BV Inertia 0599 | Reg# 20027094 • Calving ease, high growth son of the highly popular ABS sire, GAR Inertia. • 0599 shows top 3% WW, YW summarized with a top 15% $F, $B, and $C. • Dam recently became a donor for us. She maintains a calving interval of 3/367 with progeny ratios of WW 2/119, YW 2/117, IMF 2/114, RE 2/109.
EPD % Rank
CED
9
BW
1.6
WW
84 3
YW
148 3
$W
84 10
$B
166 15
$C
277 15
BV Inertia 0618 | Reg# 20027228 • High growth son of the highly popular ABS sire, GAR Inertia. • 0618 shows top 10% WW, YW summarized with a top 15% $F. • Dam maintains a calving interval of 5/370.
EPD % Rank
CED
6
BW
3.1
WW
76 10
BV Exclusive 0514 | Reg# 20030184 • Calving ease son of the ST Genetics semen sales leader, Musgrave Exclusive 1175. • 0514 shows five $ indexes in the to 15%, highlighted by a $296 $C.
EPD % Rank
CED
9
BW
-0.4
WW
67 30
YW
121 25
$W
79 15
$B
167 15
$C
296 10
YW
142 10
$W
68 35
$B
164 15
$C
269 20
BV Raindance 0532 | Reg# 20030200 • High growth son sired by the popular ST Genetics sire, SAV Raindance 6848 out of the best cow we’ve owned, Basin Lucy 262S. • 0532 shows top 4% YW and 10% WW summarized by a top 1% $F. • Dam shows progeny ratios of BW 6/99, WW 6/102, YW 6/101, IMF 118/99 and RE 120/102.
EPD % Rank
Largest Angus Sale in Kentucky
CED
-2
BW
4.5
WW
80 10
YW
145 4
$F
131 1
$B
170 10
$C
265 25
branchviewangus.com 859-533-1301 • 606-706-0355 • 859-619-0342 james@branchviewangus.com James S. Coffey Donald Coffey Tim Dietrich
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