Cow Country News- May 2026

MAY IS BEEF MONTH

2026 Derby Burger Champion and other featured recipes inside!

DuraCor® herbicide delivers unmatched broadleaf weed control for grazing acres—packed with benefits cattle raisers and land managers need. With proven grass safety and extended control of 140+ weeds, DuraCor® tackles those already growing and keeps working on those that germinate later. Flexible application options — broadcast by ground or air, spot treatments, or mixing with liquid or dry fertilizer in select states — make DuraCor® the smart, easy choice for pasture weed control.

May Cow Sales

BG Campbellsville Friday, May 1, 2026 7:00 PM

BG South—Stanford Friday, May 15, 2026—6:30 PM

BG Lexington Wednesday, May 27, 2026 6:30 PM

Upcoming Sales

BG Lexington

Special Horse Sale—May 8, 2026

KY Certified Hereford Influence Feeder Sale May 18, 2026

Profit Thru Performance June 1, 2026

BG South—Richmond

Hog, Goat & Sheep Sale Monday, May 11, 2026

Hog, Goat & Sheep Sale Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (Note Date Due to Memorial Day)

BG South—Stanford

KY Traditions Hereford Influence Feeder Sale May 14, 2026

BG Campbellsville

Holstein Sale—May 16, 2026

BG East—Mt. Sterling

Special Horse Sale —June 13, 2026

BG Albany

Sheep & Goat Sales 1st Monday of Month 1:00 PM April May June August September October November

BEEF MONTH

What’s New in the World of Bovine Leukemia Virus?

24 Chris Teutsch Emergency Forage Options

44 Les Anderson Costs Per Pregnancy....Ever Think About It?

FEATURE STORIES

6 Meet Your 2026 KCA Board: Natalie Wesley

14 Kentucky Cattle Producers Aid Farmers Impacted by Wildfires

16 Enthusiastic Learner: Ken Blevins

20 Summer Tick Protection Reminders

KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE LIVESTOCK MARKET GUTHRIE, KENTUCKY SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026 12:00 NOON CENTRAL

All heifers are guaranteed bred to bulls with genomic enhanced EPDs and have met stringent requirements for health, quality, and pelvic measurements. For more information Contact:

Kevin Laurent, University of Kentucky (270) 625-0994

Mark Barnett, KY-TN Livestock Market (931) 624-7176

Tom Barnett, KY-TN Livestock Market (931) 624-7376

The cost of everything continues to rise. One thing that is continually referenced is the increasing cost of secondary education. In my senior year at the University of Louisville, tuition and fees totaled $9,260. In the most recent academic year, it was $13,614. When researching those numbers, I found the gap wasn’t as extreme as I thought. Part-time college employment wages have certainly outpaced tuition hikes. As an on-campus tutor, I was making a little over $10/hour. That was one of the best on-campus jobs. My work in the cart barn at a local golf course was around $9 per hour. That means it took somewhere around 950 hours of part-time work to pay for a year’s tuition. Part-time college students should be able to find employment with wages in the upper teens now. That means it would take around 700 hours to pay for a year’s tuition.

The greatest difference is probably the cost of living for college students. I lived in a house with six guys a mile from campus and drove the vehicle I had paid for at sixteen. A $20 bar tab was considered “big,” and grabbing takeout was a twice-a-week splurge. When you drive by a college campus today, you can’t throw a stick without hitting an apartment complex with a resort-style pool, brand new vehicles in the parking lot, and a retail space with dining options that are a far cry from ramen noodles and bologna sandwiches. Today’s college student definitely lives a more glamorous life than I did, but what they get for the price tag is much more. For all the talk among my parents’ generation about how you could work all summer as a student to pay for tuition, a quick run of the numbers suggests you probably still can. You might just not have a car on campus, eat out every meal, and have to live in an apartment older than 10 years old.

While state school tuition rates have continued a linear march higher over the last 14 years, the cost of education in the beef industry has gone parabolic. I learned to treat a cold-stressed calf by tubing colostrum and warming up with truck heaters on a $100 calf. Today, that is a $1,200 calf. I was in charge of calf vaccinations and post-weaning treatment on $1,000 (and at times $700) calves, and today those are $2,400. The only way to learn how to handle those things is to be given enough rope to hang yourself. You have to be given the chance to fail, and the cost of failure is high. You learn what stage of cold stress a calf needs to be treated and left or treated and pulled by making the wrong call. It will stick with you when you are wrong.

When I finished school with a master’s in agricultural eco -

nomics and a childhood of work experience on the operation, I say it still took me three years to have a good grasp on the 30,000-foot view of everything. It took me about 5 years to catch every problem and diagnose it. It took me about 7 years to fix 99% of the problems I caught on my own. You could take the sharpest graduate from the best ag school today, and it would probably take them that much time as well. If they came out of university ready to do everything I could do at year 7, I probably needed to be working for them. I don’t know of many people who want to finance that education. Blood relation is about all you can hope for to help with retention. Labor will be the sticking point in herd expansion. Cattle prices are at a level to support paying skilled labor. We can actually compete with other industries for once. However, when the only way to develop those skills is to do so on someone else’s dime. It is a tough partnership for the one footing the bill. Not only have they paid for half a decade’s worth of mistakes for someone else to garner that skill set, but they have also expanded the operation to create an income stream for an additional family unit. I am sure many of you reading this have had your business scaled to a level that supports additional employment. When situations change, and you are left with extra work, it makes you hesitant to do so again. That is the conundrum that the American cattleman is currently in. The education is expensive, and skilled labor is vital. However, the American cattleman is an aging population and will have to figure out how to fill this void with skilled labor. For once, the prices are too good not to.

PRIVATE TREATY BULLS

EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE

OFFICERS:

President

ALLAN BRYANT Eminence

President Elect

DANIEL HAYDEN Whitesville

Vice President

RYAN MILLER Campbellsville

Treasurer

KEN ADAMS Upton

Past President

RANDY WARNER Sharpsburg

KCA Program Chairman

ADAM CHUNGLO Harrodsburg

KBC Chairman

WAYNE ZOGLMANN Lewisport

KBN Manager

AMY WHITE Lexington

Beef Solutions Manager*

DANIEL HAYDEN Whitesville

*ex officio

REGIONAL DIRECTORS:

REGION 1

Chris Milam, John Mark Brown, Dale Gold, Greg Roberson, Gary Woodall, Lincoln Pyle, Susan Zoglmann, Bill Plemmons, Kenton Howard, Britny Williams, Conner Williams

REGION 2

Bryan Manion, Joe Lowe, Allison Nissley, Rayetta Boone, Sammy Boone, David Strater, Kelly Flanders, Andy Joe Moore, Adam Thomas, AJ Mitchell, Jonathan Murley, Kenneth Green, Robert Siddens, Josh Morris, Joe Mike Moore, Amy Cecil

REGION 3

Amanda Hall, Nathan Lawson, Allen Phillips, Stacey Burkhardt, John David Yount, Lincoln Clifford, Abbey Biddle, Ben Tinsley, Crystal Harrod, Phillip Douglas, Tanya Wilson, Craig Retzlaff

REGION 4

Jodi Purvis, Brad Reynolds, Chad Anglin, Phillip Stamm, Danielle Harmon, Brandy Graves, Kelsey Cooper, Bruce Witt, Ronnie Lowe, Logan Carter, Jason Crowe, Rob Amburgey

REGION 5

Phillip Reese, Cary King, John Settles, Natalie Wesley, Brandon Kelly, Freddie Harris, Brent Williams, Anne Bays, Tommy Glasscock, Josh Wethington, Arch Sebastian, Terry Mattingly

Meet Your 2026 KCA Board

Natalie Wesley Casey County

Briefly tell us about your operation.

We run cow calf pairs with custom beef sales on the side. It is a fourth generation farm and there are three generations active. I also run an active Facebook page for our farm where we share information and fun videos from our day to day life on the farm.

Why did you decide to run for state board?

I first ran at 21 years old. Being a young woman, I definitely represent a minority of farmers across the state. I farm full time, so the only way I can be involved in the industry at a level greater than my own is by joining these organizations and proving that I am an important part of agriculture. I am passionate about ag and activism in support of the industry, as well as showing young girls that they can farm too!

How many years have you served on the state board?

Two years.

What do you like the most about the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association?

It gives me a chance to work for the industry that feeds the world. I love the connections you can make and all of the opportunities for education, as well as the community feeling of the group. I have found that no matter how old or young, whether you’re in Pikeville or Paducah, whether you raise 50 or 500, you still get to be treated as a part of one big farming family.

When you aren't taking care of your cows, what are you doing?

Spending time with my husband and our families! We spend a lot of time with our church, where we both teach and play music/sing. We also play a lot of volleyball when it’s warm.

KCA PAST PRESIDENTS:

VOLUME 39 • ISSUE 5

Bradon Burks KBC Director of Education

Rachel Cain Membership and Communications Coordinator

Amelia Carter KBC Director of Industry Relations

Danny Coy Video Production Specialist

Jake Harrod KBN Program Coordinator

Dan Miller KBN Industry Coordinator

Debby Nichols National Advertising Sales, LAN Katie Pratt Communications Manager Alex Scott MS,

Kelly Tucker KCA Collections & Compliance

Nikki Whitaker Director of Operations & Policy

President's Thoughts

Allan Bryant KCA President

Beef cattle are more than a product we raise — they are the foundation of rural life and the backbone of family farms. On operations across Kentucky and beyond, cattle shape our daily routines, guide our decisions and bring families together with a shared purpose. They allow us to make a living from the land, turning grass into a high-quality protein source while keeping farms productive and sustainable.

Cattle also play a vital role in keeping rural communities strong. They support local businesses, from feed stores and veterinarians to sale barns and equipment dealers. When cattle farms succeed, those communities succeed right along with them.

Just as important, cattle give us the opportunity—and the responsibility— to care for the land. Pastures that might otherwise go unused are maintained and improved through grazing, preserving open spaces and supporting the long-term health of our soil and environment. As producers, we don’t just think about the next season—we think about the next generation.

And that may be the most important part of all. On family farms, we’re not just raising cattle—we’re raising children, passing down values and teaching a way of life built on hard work, stewardship and responsibility. The lessons learned on a cattle farm last a lifetime.

For Mary and I, these lessons are deeply meaningful and have guided our lives. We’ve been blessed to see those same values take root in our daughters, Emily and Sarah. Today, we’re proud grandparents to our 8-month-old granddaughter, Lydia— our first. I am also happy to report that she loves beef!

As we enter this wonderful new phase of life and watch Emily and Tyler begin their journey as parents, we’re reminded just how important those

farm values truly are. It’s our hope that, in time, we can help pass those same lessons along to Lydia, just as they were once passed on to us.

I can already see the beginnings of those same values taking root in my 8-year-old great-niece, Lauralyn. She lives on the same farm as Mary and I with her parents, Megan and Justin, and it’s a joy to watch her grow up on

the farm. One of her favorite things to do is check on her two baby calves and feed their mommas out in the pasture field.

One of my most memorable moments with Lauralyn came as we were moving cows to a new pasture. As usual, the Red 4 cow—who has a habit of running up to the Ranger every time she thinks there might be a little grain involved—came hustling over like clockwork.

Without missing a beat, Lauralyn looked at the cow and said, “That Red 4 sure is annoying… but she’d make good brisket.”

I had to laugh, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but think—she’s already starting to understand something that we as cattle producers sometimes take for granted. On the farm, we care for our animals every day. We watch over them, make sure they’re healthy, and do our best to give them a good life. But we also understand their purpose.

Seeing her enthusiasm reminds me that these values are not only taught— they’re gained through experience, through time spent on the farm, and through a love for the land and livestock. It gives me confidence that the next generation is already learning lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime.

And that’s why our cattle industry matters so much. It’s not just about producing a high-quality, wholesome product—it’s about raising families, teaching responsibility and preserving a way of life that strengthens our rural communities. The future of our industry depends not only on markets and management, but on moments like these—when the next generation develops a passion for agriculture and a respect for the work that goes into it every single day.

Commissioner's Corner

Jonathan Shell Agriculture Commissioner

Kentucky cattle producers, how would you like to improve the nutrition of your herd and reduce your feed cost? If you answer is yes and yes – and I don’t know why it wouldn’t be – then you need to have your forage tested.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture successfully transitioned its Forage Testing Program earlier this year to the University of Kentucky Division of Regulatory Services and Cooperative Extension Service. The transition made sense for producers because those who are already utilizing the soil lab through their local UK Cooperative Extension agent can now add a follow-up forage analysis and consultation. The result is a more complete soil and forage improvement plan.

Ray Smith, extension forage specialist in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, called the comprehensive nutritional analysis of forage testing “a tremendous benefit to livestock and hay producers in the state.”

Forage makes up more than 80% of most ruminant and equine diets, yet many livestock producers feed hay or ensiled forages without knowing their nutritional value. Most cattlemen wouldn’t buy a bag labeled "cattle feed" without nutrient guarantees.

Jeff Lehmkuhler, extension professor of beef cattle nutrition, says forage testing provides the foundational information to build a cost-effective supplement strategy to meet the nutritional needs of beef cattle and ensure performance goals are met. Without this information, he said, producers are using book values, which may lead to overspending on unnecessary supplements or lost production due to nutritional deficiencies.

For producers who sell hay, forage testing allows them to assess market value, monitor quality changes and make informed sales decisions. They can submit the results to KDA, and their lots will then be assigned a U.S. Department of Agriculture hay quality

grade and included, free of charge, on the KDA Hay for Sale website.

Untested hay may also be listed on the Hay for Sale site, but it will not show a quality grade and will not have an analysis to verify the quality. Submitting the analysis to KDA is as simple as checking the box on the UK Sample Submission Form to email results to “KDA for Marketing.”

Another new addition to the KDA hay program is the monthly hay market report, a collaboration among producers, KDA staff, and USDA. KDA gathers Kentucky hay sales data monthly and submits it to the USDA for publication. Anyone interested in participating in the monthly hay market report by providing their sales data can contact KDA’s hay program coordinator Kimberly Field at Kimberly.Field@ky.gov.

Jenny Combs, agriculture research specialist and administrator of the Forage Testing Program, said producers or extension agents should collect a representative core sample and clearly label the samples and services requested on the sample form. Combs recommends producers and agents complete a free one-hour hay-sampling course offered by the National Forage Testing Association at www. foragetesting.org.

Combs said samples should be delivered or shipped via UPS or FedEx from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT Monday through Thursday. Haylage should not be shipped on Fridays due to the risk of mold.

Samples should be shipped to: Regulatory Services Attn: Forage Testing Program 103 Regulatory Services Building Lexington, KY 40546-0275

Once testing is complete (a process that averages three business days), producers can work with their local extension agents to interpret the results and balance rations for ruminants or equines. Reports are reviewed for accuracy, and retesting is free if requested within seven days of the report date.

(5 mg/mL doramectin, 150 mg/mL levamisole hydrochloride)

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

INDICATIONS:

VALCOR® is indicated for the treatment and control of the following species of parasites in beef cattle two months of age and older and in replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age. Not for use in beef bulls intended for breeding over 1 year of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. Gastrointestinal Roundworms (adults and fourth stage larvae): Ostertagia ostertagi (including inhibited larvae), O. lyrata, Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. longispicularis*, Cooperia oncophora, C. pectinata*, C. punctata, C. surnabada, Bunostomum phlebotomum*, Strongyloides papillosus*, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Trichuris spp.*, Nematodirus helvetianus*. Lungworms (adults and fourth stage larvae): Dictyocaulus viviparus. Eyeworms (adults): Thelazia spp. Grubs (parasitic stages): Hypoderma bovis, H. lineatum.

Sucking Lice: Haematopinus eurysternus, Linognathus vituli, Solenopotes capillatus. Mange Mites: Psoroptes bovis, Sarcoptes scabiei. *Adults only

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

WITHDRAWAL PERIODS AND RESIDUE WARNINGS:

Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 15 days following last treatment with this drug product. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows; use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows or heifers. Not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves.

User Safety Warnings: Not for human use. Keep out of reach of children. If accidental eye contact occurs, flush eyes immediately with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. If wearing contact lenses, flush eyes immediately with water before removing lenses then continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes. Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling the product. Wash hands after use. Take care to avoid accidental self-injection. If accidental injection occurs, seek medical attention and provide product package insert to medical professional. To obtain a Safety Data Sheet(s), contact Zoetis Inc. at 1-888-963-8471 or www.zoetis.com.

Animal Safety Warnings and Precautions:

Use of levamisole in cattle treated in the last few days with cholinesterase inhibitors such as organophosphates or with morantel may enhance the toxic effects of levamisole. Use together with caution.

Destruction of Hypoderma larvae (cattle grubs) at the period when these grubs are in vital areas may cause undesirable host-parasite reactions including the possibility of fatalities. Killing H. lineatum when it is in the tissue surrounding the gullet may cause bloat; killing H. bovis when it is in the vertebral canal may cause staggering or paralysis. These reactions are not specific to treatment with VALCOR® and can occur with any successful treatment of grubs. Cattle should be treated either before or after these stages of grub development. Consult your veterinarian concerning the proper time for treatment. Follow recommended dosage carefully. Reproductive safety has not been evaluated in bulls intended for breeding.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

This product is likely to cause swelling at the injection site. Tissue damage at the injection site may also occur, including possible granulomas and necrosis. These reactions have resolved without treatment. Local tissue reaction may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. A single death attributed to clostridial infection associated with the injection of VALCOR® was reported in a non-pivotal effectiveness study. Observe cattle for injection site reactions. If injection site reactions are suspected, consult your veterinarian. This product is not for intravenous or intramuscular use. Hypersalivation may be observed; however, this reaction will disappear within a few hours. If this condition persists, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Contact Information:

Contact Zoetis Inc. at 1-888-963-8471 or www.zoetis.com. To report suspected adverse drug experiences, contact Zoetis Inc. at 1-888-963-8471. For additional information about reporting adverse drug experiences for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or http://www.fda.gov/reportanimalae.

TARGET ANIMAL SAFETY:

Margin of Safety: Subcutaneous administration of VALCOR® was well tolerated in calves as young as 3 months of age at 1, 2, or 3 times the recommended dose. Dose-dependent post-dose hypersalivation was seen in all treated groups compared to the controls. All cases of hypersalivation were mild, transient, and resolved without further medical intervention. Dose-related injection site reactions were observed, and those in the 1X group resolved between 21 and 28 days post injection. Injection site reactions were primarily swelling which resolved between 21 and 28 days post injection. Findings from the injection sites included swelling, edema, inflammation, muscle necrosis and fibrosis.

Female Reproductive Safety: The reproductive safety of VALCOR® was established in two studies with female cattle. First, a single dose of VALCOR® was administered subcutaneously at 3 times the recommended dose at times coinciding with folliculogenesis, implantation, or organogenesis, and had no effects on conception, calving, abortion, and stillbirth rates, and post-natal viability up to 30±2 days post-calving. There were no congenital abnormalities. The only test article-related change was an increase in incidence and duration of swelling at injection sites compared with control, but all swellings eventually resolved. In a second study, a single dose of VALCOR® administered subcutaneously at 3 times the recommended dose at either early or late gestation had no effects on calving, abortion, and stillbirth rates, and post-natal viability up to 30±2 days post-calving. One control calf and two treated calves were born with congenital abnormalities and did not survive. These were not determined to be test article-related. The only test article-related change was an increase in incidence and duration of swelling at injection sites, but all swellings eventually resolved. Not for use in bulls intended for breeding over 1 year of age, as reproductive safety has not been evaluated.

HOW SUPPLIED:

VALCOR® is available in 100 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL multi-dose, rubber-capped glass vials.

STORAGE, HANDLING, AND DISPOSAL:

Store below 25°C (77°F). Do not expose to light for extended periods of time. Do not contaminate water by direct application or by improper disposal of drug containers. Dispose of containers in an approved landfill or by incineration.

Approved by FDA under NADA # 141-553

Distributed by:

TOUGH ON TOUGH WORMS, EASY ON CATTLE PRODUCERS.

You can achieve effective parasite control in one product, where before you may have needed two. Valcor® (doramectin and levamisole injection) is the first prescription cattle dewormer with two active ingredients in one dose. It’s never been easier to be tough. Get tough at ValcorTough.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat cattle with Valcor within 15 days of slaughter. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows; not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. Safety has not been evaluated in breeding bulls. Use with caution in cattle treated with cholinesterase inhibitors. This product is likely to cause injection site swelling; tissue damage (including granulomas and necrosis) may occur. These reactions have resolved without treatment. See Brief Summary of Full Prescribing Information on the next page.

Thoughts From Dave

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

Some of KCA’s leadership team had the opportunity to host several lead researchers from U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Eden Shale Farm this past month. KCA leaders Allan Bryant, Daniel Hayden, Amanda Hall, Cary King and Dr. Gordon Jones got the opportunity to visit with Dr. Steve Moeller and Dr. Peter Vadas, both USDA research program leaders from the office of national programs and several lead scientists from Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Utah.

I am not sure of how familiar you are of the USDA ForageAnimal Production Research Unit (FAPRU) that is housed at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. This unit is an awesome opportunity for Kentucky agriculture and the state as a whole. Over the years, KCA has had a great relationship with the unit and its leaders. Currently, Dr. Michael Flythe serves as the research leader of the unit. Dr. Flythe is a rumen and gastrointestinal microbiologist, and he is also a good guy who is easy to talk to. I enjoy running into him at Tractor Supply or Lowe's where we have spent more time than we should blocking customers in the aisle while we were talking cows or about our kids.

We were also very fortunate to have a very good relationship with the former research leader Dr. Glen Aiken. Glen really helped us early on when the Kentucky Beef Network started managing Eden Shale Farm and that relationship has carried over to Dr. Flythe. Glen was always in our office, and Michael makes regular stops to talk with our team about what is happening in the Kentucky beef industry.

You may remember that Sen. Mitch McConnell was in

Lexington over two years ago for a groundbreaking for a new USDA research building on the UK campus. This was a $60 million+ announcement, and this past year, another $10 million was added to the mix for the facility. I am not sure where they are in the process, but I do know that this unit has been and can be very good for our industry. The unit has gotten a recurring $4 million dollar allocation for the past several years. Half of that $4 million goes to the FAPRU unit and the other half goes to UK to do forage-animal production research, and if my memory serves me right, there is a portion that goes to hemp research. USDA and the FAPRU go through a process of doing a five-year plan. That process is beginning this spring. With all the changes going on within USDA, it is important that we stay engaged with the process. Research is very important. You can be a part of the process by observing what is going on in your pastures and with your cows. Many breakthrough advancements were started by farmers making observations of their forages and animals.

With technology advancements in genetics, animal health and nutritional advancements, it is going to be important to see how these animals adapt to our environment. Knowing how to match the genetic-environmental interaction is going to be a big part of your management program. I would encourage you to ask questions to all of our researchers and let them know what is happening in your world so that they find answers to your questions and make the beef business better for all. These research dollars are way too valuable, and they need to be used to solve real-world problems.

BARREN COUNTY NEWS

Carol Spiegl and Ken Wininger

February

The Barren County Cattlemen's Association February meeting was sponsored by ProSolutions of Hiseville. The program featured the FFA chapters of Glasgow High School, Barren County High School and Barren County Middle School. We are pleased to announce that the 2025-26 school year initiated agricultural classes at Glasgow High School and they began the very first FFA chapter in the school's history. Mattea Wyatt, FFA advisor, discussed the chapter’s work and fundraisers. Barren County High School FFA students gave presentations of their supervised agriculture experiences. Some of those projects were beekeeping, poultry egg production, shooting preserve for quail hunting, agriculture sales and veterinary office co-op.

March

The Barren County Cattlemen’s Association met March 19. The meeting and meal were sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions. Randy Gable, Nutrien Ag Solutions representative, discussed fertilizer prices and transportation challenges affecting farm products. He noted that many shipments must move through the narrow waterways around Iran. In the photo, Josh Morris, Barren County Cattlemen’s Association president, thanks Gable for his sponsorship and presentation.

LOGAN COUNTY NEWS

John Walpole

The Logan County Cattlemen were busy in March catering meals for community partners. On March 13, they catered a meal for Champion Pet Food with 275 people in attendance. The Junior Natural Resource Board helped serve the food.

On March 25, the Logan County Cattlemen’s Association catered a meal for the Logan County Conservation District with 275 people attending.

METCALFE COUNTY NEWS

Moe Hensley

The Metcalfe County Cattlemen met on March 19 at the Old School Cafe located in the old Metcalfe County High School lunchroom. Renovations are still ongoing at the extension office. There was a really nice turnout for the meeting. Ribeyes, hotdogs and homemade desserts were on the menu for the night.

Metcalfe Farm Supply was the sponsor for the evening's activities. H.J. Hawkins, Brad Carter and members of their sales team were on hand to discuss any needs anyone had in mind. Their store carries feed, seed, mineral, supplies, and they have expanded into the fertilizer business with all new buggies.

Routine business was conducted

TODD COUNTY NEWS

Traci Johnson

FFA students stole the show at Todd County Cattlemen’s March meeting with their Bovine Birthing Simulator. Students demonstrated the proper way to assist with calving, including correct use of equipment.

BR Knuckles Insurance Agency sponsored the meeting and provided details about Livestock Risk Protection plans.

Our thanks to Todd County Central High School FFA and BR Knuckles Insurance Agency for this learning opportunity and for all they do in our community.

by President Lisa Upchurch. Lynn Hawkins reminded everyone of the scholarship application due date of May 10.

Brandon Bell spoke briefly about soil testing. Soil testing optimizes plant growth and can save farmers money by identifying precise nutrient needs and preventing over-fertilization. Work with your county agent or a reputable fertilizer company to find out what best suits your soils’ needs.

Brad Carter discussed several topics including Agolin Ruminant, Altosid IGR Horn Fly Control and anaplasmosis in Beef Cattle. Agolin Ruminant is a plant-based, essential oil-based feed additive designed for dairy and beef cattle to reduce methane

emissions and improve feed efficiency. For more information on any of these items, contact a member of the sales team.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, do more and become more. You're a leader." -John Quincy Adams

Kentucky Cattle Producers Aid Farmers Impacted by Wildfires

Sara Roberson Breckinridge County

The Breckinridge County Cattlemen’s Association once again led a relief effort to bring hay and supplies to farmers and ranchers who had been impacted by recent wildfires in Kansas and Oklahoma. Our members worked together to gather hay, supplies and transportation from Breckinridge, LaRue and Meade counties.

Breckinridge County was overwhelmed with the willingness of the agriculture community to support this effort. Early Saturday March 14, the convoy of seven semis and five flatbed trailers, carrying 213 round hay bales, 500 square bales, vet supplies and fencing material left from GreenPoint Ag in Hardinsburg and traveled the 800 miles to Knowles, Oklahoma.

We hope that by providing supplies to other herdsmen during their time of need we have allowed them to continue to care for their livestock. We wish them well as their rebuilding efforts continue.

One of our current members actually benefitted from our relief efforts during the 2017 wildfires. He was instrumental

in initiating contact with Collin Domer and the Beaver County Stockyards to coordinate the delivery of supplies. They insisted that there were not adequate words to express their gratitude for our donations. During an interview with Collin, he agreed that they were in a low spot right now, but with the continuous theme of Farmers helping Farmers, they would make it back out of the valley.

Association leaders want to express their appreciation for each person, business or organization that donated supplies, money or time to this effort. This includes Hodges Trucking, French Logging, Ballman Farms, Compton Farms, Barger Farms, Richard French Trucking, The Mast Family, LaRue County Cattlemen’s Association, Meade County Cattlemen’s Association, Bobby Keith Kennedy, Gary Board, Mark Newman, Rick Highbaugh, Arthur Lee Turner, Eddie McAfee, Melinda Norton, Terry Wilson, Bill and Susan Plemmons, Sam Burden, John Hobbs, William Mays, Kevin Compton, Thomas Compton, Scott Jarboe, David O’Donohue, Bobby Bell, Jeremy Armstrong, and Greg and Sara Roberson.

Complete Cattle Saver

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Singles

Scratcher assembly available without stand, or on a stand with 1, 2 or 3 scratcher assemblies. The Easy Way Scratcher also comes with or without 3’ Walk-Way Oiler.

3’ Walkway With A Mop Curtain

A durable, low maintenance oiler that fits directly into your cattle’s path for automatic, consistent fly & parasite control.  Built tough for pasture or lot use, it keeps your herd protected with minimal effort.

ENTHUSIASTIC learner

MOREHEAD, KY – Rowan County producer Ken Blevins is a longtime student of the cattle industry. Over the years, he’s used the knowledge he gained from educators and fellow producers to make his operation better.

“His management is top-notch,” said Dr. Philip Prater, professor emeritus at Morehead State University. “He has the most teachable spirit of any beef cattle producer I’ve ever met. He is always willing to listen and learn.”

Heifer Development Beginnings

Prater met Blevins when both men were working cattle enrolled in the Eastern Kentucky Heifer Development Program.

The program, led by Larry Clay and located at D&D Ranch in Perry County, helped many of the region’s cattle producers improve their herds during its 18 years of existence. Beginning in 1997, producers brought their heifers to Clay, who would vaccinate, artificially inseminate and raise them until they and their offspring were either sold or returned to the producer’s herd. Blevins began participating in the program during its second year and stayed in it

Pratt Kentucky Cattlemen's Association

until it ended. In addition to enrolling heifers in the program, he also bought heifers from the program’s sale to grow his herd. He still has one cow from that program.

“The Eastern Kentucky Heifer Development Program was the greatest thing that helped the beef cattle industry in the region,” he said.

Learning the Hard Way

However, cattle were not always a part of the equation for Blevins.

“I did not come from a cattle background and have had to learn a lot of things the hard way,” he said.

Originally from Elliott County, Blevins came to Rowan County to attend Morehead State University. After earning a business degree, Blevins became a union pipefitter.

He and his wife Kay, a school teacher, purchased their farm on the eastern side of Morehead at an absolute auction in 1993 with the goal of growing tobacco. Knowing the farm’s rolling topography, Blevins soon purchased two cows – one from his uncle and the other from his pastor.

Room for Improvement

From the time first cows stepped on the farm, Blevins worked to give them the best care he could. To do that he started learning all he could about cattle.

“I’ve been blessed to have met people who can and will help me,” he said.

Today, he attends cattlemen’s meetings and gets advice from University of Kentucky specialists, Dan Miller with the Kentucky Beef Network and KBN facilitators Ron Shrout and Samantha Stamm and former facilitator Jeff Stephens.

Shrout originally met Blevins through their work with the heifer development program.

“He raises good cattle and uses good bulls,” Shrout said. “He has a good facility to work cattle and loves what he’s doing – that’s a really big piece of his success.”

Cattle Caregiver

Blevins is a firm believer in the relationship between cattle body scores and improved fertility. To help cattle maintain their body condition, he gives his pregnant cows a three-way mixture

of supplemental feed 35-40 days before and after calving.

At the height of his calving season in March, Blevins can be found all hours of the day or night at his calving barn. Like many producers, Blevins farms mostly alone and keeps a close eye on his pregnant heifers and cows and newborn calves in the barn.

He will feed hay, grain and minerals to his herd until after he gets a first cutting of hay. Then he puts them out to pasture.

“I give the best care to my cattle that I possibly can and that includes providing them with clean water, grain, minerals and attention,” he said.

Educating Others

Blevins’ relationship with Dr. Prater strengthened over the years. For nearly a decade, Ken and Kay Blevins allowed Prater and Morehead State vet tech students to come to their farm and use their facilities for hands-on education. At the farm, the students performed pregnancy checks on the cattle.

“I had to be super picky about the farms we took students to because of the safety issue,” Prater said. “I chose farmers that had safe, good

working facilities. Kenny and Kay love learning, and they loved seeing the kids learning.”

Dr. Prater was impressed with Blevin’s tight calving window.

“When we would pregnancy check and ultrasound the cattle, about 90% of all his pregnancies would be within 45 days,” Dr. Prater said.

Vet Access

Along with Dr. Prater, Blevins said he is fortune to have access to many wonderful area large-animal veterinarians who help him care for his herd.

Bath County producer Randy Warner was introduced to Blevins through his wife Tammy. Tammy Warner knew Blevins through her job at the Bath Veterinary Clinic in Owingsville. Over the years, Warner has purchased several animals from him.

“He raises his cattle the right way, and he is knowledgeable about his herd,” Warner said. “He is good to his word. He doesn’t want you to buy something that is not going to make you some money.”

Blevins sells most of his cattle at the

stockyards but also does freezer beef. Today, the majority of his herd is spring calving but he also has 10 that are fall calving.

“I started the fall-calving herd to help spread out my money,” he said.

Needed Help

While nearly all of the farming obligations fall on Blevins since he retired five years ago, Kay and his brother were substantial help with his farms during the years Blevins traveled the country as a pipefitter. At his farming height, Blevins had 102 head of cattle on two farms in Rowan County. But the need to slow down and consolidate led him to selling one of his farms and half of his herd several years ago.

Today, Blevins occasionally gets help from his neighbors. A subdivision was built next to his farm decades ago, and many of the residents have helped with various farming tasks over the years.

Even though he has consolidated and slowed down some. His enthusiasm for cattle and learning has not.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Blevins said. “People watch out for you here and check on me and my cattle.”

no one knows livestock insurance like

Summer Tick Protection Reminders

As cattle producers spend more time outdoors, it’s important for them to remember to protect themselves from ticks.

Kentucky can provide an ideal environment for ticks with its warm, humid weather, abundant pastures and forests, and large deer population.

Ticks are associated with multiple diseases and conditions affecting both animals and people. A tick-borne condition of increasing concern to humans is alpha-gal syndrome, “the red meat allergy.” It is primarily transmitted by the lone star tick, which is one of the most common ticks found in the state. The American dog tick, another tick commonly found in the state, can transmit bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. While not as common as other ticks in Kentucky, the blacklegged tick, which is also known as a deer tick, is associated with Lyme disease.

Hannah Tiffin, University of Kentucky assistant extension professor of veterinary entomology, offers these tips to help producers protect themselves from ticks.

• Wear long pants.

• Wear tall socks with pants tucked in and taped or wear tall boots with pants tucked into boots.

• Wear long sleeves when walking through thick brush or tall grasses.

• Buy pre-treated clothing or treat clothes with permethrin.When applying permethrin, follow all label instructions and keep cats away from wet clothing. Permethrin is toxic to cats when wet but safe when dry!

• Re-treat clothing after the number of washes shown on the label.

• Use DEET or other repellents before going into a risky habitat. Find the right repellent by using the Environmental Protection Agency tool: epa.gov/insectrepellents/find-repellent-right-you. Remember to spray your socks and non-rubber boots.

• Do a tick check periodically while outdoors and soon after returning home. It is easiest to do a full tick check in the shower; this will help dislodge any ticks that may not have fully attached yet.

• Focus on areas of the body where ticks could find an easy blood meal — “hidden” locations and spots with increased blood flow are ticks’ favorites, such as behind the ears, within the hairline, armpits, belly button, groin, behind the knees and in between toes (especially on pets).

• Check pets for ticks too, especially if they are indoor/ outdoor animals. They can bring ticks indoors with them and expose you and your family and indoor pets to ticks.

• Dry clothes on HIGH heat. Heating clothes on high for 10 to 15 minutes will kill ticks.

Tiffin encourages producers to make a “tick kit.” Items in the kit should include a magnifying glass, tweezers, hand sanitizer or cleaning towelettes to clean the tick bite after the tick has been removed. For producers who want to send ticks for identification or testing, she suggests they include small pill bottle with identifying information

removed or a Ziplock bag in their kit.

Kentucky residents have two options for submitting ticks they find on themselves or their animals. They can submit ticks for human pathogen testing through the UK Human Tick Surveillance Program or for identification through the UK Extension BITE Lab (Tiffin’s program). If producers suspect they have found Asian longhorned ticks, it is important to submit these for identification so that the invasive tick can be tracked in the state. They are not tested for pathogens in Kentucky, and should be submitted through the Extension BITE Lab for identification and reporting. More information on both programs can be found here: bitelabky.mgcafe.uky.edu/pestvector-management/ticks.

Producers can also visit the following site for chemical control options they can use at animal facilities: veterinaryentomology.org/vetpestx. As always, be sure to follow label instructions and ensure the product is registered for use in Kentucky.

What’s New in the World of Bovine Leukemia Virus?

Michelle Arnold DVM-Ruminant Extension Veterinarian (UKVDL)

What is BLV? Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) is an “oncogenic retrovirus” that infects the white blood cells, particularly the B-lymphocytes, in cattle and causes the disease known as “Enzootic Bovine Leukosis” or EBL. The majority of infected cattle, approximately 70%, are asymptomatic and simply act as carriers of the virus. Approximately 30–40 % of infected cattle can develop “persistent lymphocytosis” which is defined as an increase in total lymphocyte count three times above normal (>8000 white cells per ml of blood) and persists for at least three months but with no type of cancerous development. Less than 5% of BLV-infected cattle progress to lymphosarcoma, the fatal form of infection. Lymphosarcoma accounts for 13.5% of beef cattle carcass condemnation in the U.S. slaughter facilities. BLV infection is extremely common and widespread in the U.S. cattle population although at least 20 European countries have successfully eradicated this virus. In dairy cattle, BLV negatively impacts fertility and longevity and is associated with immunosuppression and increased disease risk. Little is known about the impact of BLV in beef cattle, but publications released in 2026 have shed new insights into the effects and diagnosis of this complex virus in beef cattle.

If I test my beef cattle herd for BLV, will I find any positive cattle? Very likely. It is important to understand that Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) is an extremely common viral infection in U.S. cattle, with prevalence substantially increasing over the last 15 years. The NAHMS study published in 2010 cited approximately 38% of beef herds had at least one infected animal while 10% of individual beef cattle tested were infected. In contrast, two Midwestern studies published in 2022-2023 reported that 78-95% of beef herds had at least one infected cow and 30-55% of individual beef cows were positive while a 2026 published study of cow/calf operations in Virginia reported over 75% of individual cattle tested positive. These numbers are becoming much closer to reported levels of BLV infection in dairy cattle, currently thought to be nearly

Diagnostic Testing Options

• ELISA = Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbant Assay

• Measuring cow's immune response to BLV (positive, negative, or suspect)

• MEasured in blood (serum or plasma) or milk

• Relatively Cheap

• PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction

• DNA test: measures copies of virus (proviral load or PVL) (high, moderate, low, undetected)

• Measured in whole blood

• More sample processing; more expensive

Figure 1: BLV Testing options. Photo retrieved from “What’s the Right Plan for Your Herd?” accessed 4/7/2026 at https://www.canr.msu.edu/blv/management/monitor

94% of U.S. dairy herds contain BLV-infected cattle. Economic losses stem from the inability to sell BLV positive cattle for export or as bull studs, condemnation of carcass at slaughter if tumors are present, and clinical disease/ death loss. Dairy research has shown lost milk production and immune system dysfunction (less response to vaccines and more prone to diseases like mastitis) should also be included. Because the virus is so common, simply testing and culling positive cattle is not an economically feasible approach to combat this challenge in the U.S.

How does this virus spread? Transmission of bovine leukemia virus is mainly horizontal from cow to cow.

Routine cattle working procedures are an important route as they transfer contaminated blood between individuals on surgical equipment, needles and gloves. Rectal palpation without changing sleeves, the re-use of a single needle on multiple cows, dehorning, tattooing, castration and ear tagging without proper sanitation between animals are all are implicated in virus transmission. Biting flies and other blood-feeding insects are also modes of transmission. Vertical transmission can occur from dam to fetus during pregnancy or when nursing since the virus can pass via the placenta, during delivery and in colostrum. One study found approximately 10% of calves

born to BLV-infected dams are already infected at birth. Although semen is a potential source for vertical BLV transmission, the risk and association of BLV with semen remains unresolved. Direct transmission during natural breeding is known to occur when there is blood or smegma exchange due to minor penile or vaginal trauma.

How is testing for BLV performed?

The diagnostic assays used to detect BLV are probably the most dynamic and promising advancements in current BLV research. Until recently, a simple, inexpensive serum ELISA test was the only assay used to determine if an individual was BLV positive by detecting antibodies to the virus. Once an animal is infected and tests positive, she will test positive for her lifetime. However, there are limitations to testing serum. It takes approximately 60 days after infection with the virus before the serologic response can be detected. In addition, it is recommended to wait until calves reach 8 months of age before serologic testing due to maternal antibody interference from colostrum. Lastly, testing biological fluids such as semen is not possible with an ELISA test. Recently, determination of proviral load (PVL) by PCR has gained attention as a key indicator of infection and disease progression. BLV is an RNA virus. In order to survive, it makes a DNA copy of its own RNA (this copy is known as a “provirus”) and inserts it into the DNA of the host cell, usually a B lymphocyte in cattle. Once it is integrated, this “proviral DNA” gets replicated at the same time as the host’s DNA during normal cellular division. Proviral load (PVL) refers to the amount of proviral DNA integrated into the host’s cells in an animal infected with a retrovirus. It is measured in whole blood (purple top tube), certain tissue types, semen and embryo wash fluid. With this new test, it was discovered that a minority of BLV + cattle have very high concentrations of provirus and are responsible for the majority of BLV transmission within a herd. By combining the two tests, the initial ELISA screening of cattle in serum with follow-up testing by PCR for proviral load in whole blood, the most infectious cattle can be identified for segregation and culling (Figure 1). Proviral load testing is available at several veterinary diagnostic laboratories including Texas A & M, Kansas State,

Wisconsin, and North Dakota State as well as one private laboratory, Central Star. This combination of testing and selective culling can result in dramatic declines in new infections without the need to cull all positive cattle. In future, breeding cattle for resistance to BLV progression holds promise. The identification of the BoLA-DRB3 gene has been linked to variation in the animal’s ability to regulate BLV replication. In other words, depending on the specific genotype, cattle may differ in their ability to limit the virus’ ability to reproduce and spread.

What were the conclusions of the latest research on BLV in beef cattle? As mentioned, several 2026 publications have shed additional light on BLV’s effect on beef cattle. Of note, the Virginia Tech study of cow/calf pairs found that cows with high PVL had reduced pregnancy rates but no statistical effect on calf weaning weights or herd longevity. Another study conducted in Japan between 2019 and 2024, found that BLV prevalence could be effectively reduced in a Japanese Black (Waygu) breeding farm by combining regular PCR testing with certain management interventions that decreased the risk of BLV transmission. The main measures included whole-herd testing of BLV PVLs, physical separation of BLV-positive and BLV-negative cattle, prioritized culling of BLV-positive cattle with high PVLs, BLV screening of purchased cattle and a policy of selecting only BLV-negative animals as replacement cattle. In particular, identifying and culling cattle with high PVLs has been reported to be a highly effective strategy for reducing BLV prevalence over several years.

Are there any clinical signs of BLV infection in cattle? Only if the infected animal reaches the final stage of Enzootic Bovine Leukosis, which is malignant lymphosarcoma. Only a small fraction of BLV-infected cattle, approximately 1-5 %, develop lymphosarcoma after an average incubation period of 7 years after infection with the virus. The sites most commonly affected by tumors are the heart, abomasum (true stomach), uterus, kidney, spinal cord and retrobulbar (the area behind the eyeball). Early signs may include loss of appetite, weight loss, decreased milk production, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. Some affected cattle will show no sign of the disease as approximately 5-20% of cases present as sudden death. Other clinical signs of disease are linked to the organ system affected by the tumor (Figure 2). Often the earliest indicator of cancer is the presence of enlarged lymph nodes which look like fist-size swellings in front of the shoulder, in the flank and other locations. What should a producer do with a BLV ( +) animal? The decision on what to do with a positive animal is best determined through consultation with the herd veterinarian, based on the specific goals of the individual farm. Seed stock producers and especially those who export internationally are more likely to aggressively pursue BLVfree herd status. Segregating or culling BLV + positive cattle with high proviral loads, adding only BLV-negative cattle to the herd, making management changes to reduce transmission such as single-use needles/sleeves and disinfecting equipment between animals, and implementing an integrated pest management program will substantially reduce the BLV prevalence in the herd.

Emergency Forage Options

Chris Teutsch UK Research and Education Center, Princeton KY

Hopefully by the time you read this article, the rain will have come, and we will be swimming in a sea of forage. Unfortunately, at this time we are dry! It has been an exceptionally dry winter and spring, nice for winter feeding but not good for spring grass. Currently, about 90% of the state is abnormally dry or in a moderate to severe drought (Figure 1).

I observed my first tall fescue seed head this week and there was not a lot of biomass accompanying it. If dry conditions continue, first harvest hay yields could be significantly reduced. The issue is that approximately 50% of the total seasonal yield in cool-season grasses come from the first harvest. As we move into late spring and early summer, coolseason grass growth becomes temperature limited. So even with adequate water, coolseason grass growth is reduced during the summer months.

Options for Emergency Pasture and Hay

Since we are quickly transitioning from spring to summer, our options for emergency forage should focus on warm-season species. Unlike cool-season species, warm-season grasses and legumes have evolved to efficiently carry out photosynthesis at higher temperatures. In fact, warm-season grasses do not reach optimum photosynthesis until a leaf blade temperature of approximately 90 F. In addition, warm-season grasses are much more efficient at utilizing limited water resources during the summer months. They will produce about twice as much dry matter per unit of water used as a cool-season grass. In the remainder of this article, I will outline some of the options for Kentucky and other transition zone states.

Sudangrass. Sudangrass is a rapidly growing annual grass of the sorghum

Figure 1. As of April 7, approximately 90% of Kentucky is experiencing abnormally dry conditions or moderate and severe drought (National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln). The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. For more information on the Drought Monitor, go to droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ About.aspx

family. It is medium yielding and well suited for grazing (Figure 2). Sudangrass regrows quickly after harvest and can be grazed several times during summer and early fall. This grass has finer stems than most other summer annuals, making it well suited for hay production. For more information, see AGR-234: Sudangrass and Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids.

Sorghum-sudangrass. Sorghumsudangrass hybrids are developed by crossing sorghum with true sudangrass (Figure 3). The result is a tall growing annual grass that resembles sudangrass, but has coarser stems, taller growth habit and higher yields. Like sudangrass, hybrids will regrow after grazing if growth is not limited by environmental factors. The coarse stems are difficult to cure as dry hay; therefore, these grasses are best utilized for grazing, chopped silage and baleage. For more information, see AGR-234: Sudangrass and SorghumSudangrass Hybrids.

Forage Sorghum. Forage sorghum can reach 6 to 15 feet and is best harvested as silage (Figure 4). Taller varieties produce high forage yield but can lodge, making them difficult to harvest mechanically. Some varieties have been developed that

are shorter with increased resistance to lodging. Like corn, forage sorghums are harvested once per season by direct chopping. While forage sorghum yields are similar to corn, they are lower in energy. The primary advantage of utilizing sorghum for silage production is its greater drought tolerance. For more information, see AGR-230: Forage Sorghum. Foxtail millet. Foxtail millet (German millet) is fine stemmed, has no prussic acid potential and is well suited for haymaking (Figure 5). Susceptibility to sugarcane aphid is not known. It is the lowest yielding of the summer annual grasses since it will not regrow after cutting. It is a good smother crop to be

Featured Video

Warm-Season Forage Options for Kentucky This video can be viewed by visiting the KYForages YouTube Channel. This presentation was given as part of the 2026 Master Haymaker program held on Feb. 7 in Elizabethtown.

Featured Publication

Drought Proofing Your Grazing Systems You can access it at https:// tinyurl.com/5x2jfcdy or by visiting your local extension office.

Forage Management Tips for March

• Seed warm-season annual grasses once soil temperature reaches 60 F.

• Clip, graze or make hay to prevent seedhead formation in cool-season pastures.

• Rotate cool-season pastures when residual is 3-4 inches.

• Consider temporary electric fencing to sub-divide larger pastures and exclude areas for mechanical harvesting.

• Scout pastures for summer annual weeds and control when small.

• Make plans to attend electric fencing school in Frankfort.

used before no-till seeding another crop such as fescue or alfalfa. Foxtail millet is also used as a wildlife planting to produce food and cover for doves, quail and other birds. For more information, see AGR233: Foxtail Millet.

Pearl millet. Pearl millet is not related to foxtail millet and is higher yielding. It will regrow after harvest, does not have prussic acid potential and is not a host of the sugarcane aphid (Figure 6). Dwarf varieties are available which are leafier and better suited for grazing. Pearl millet is better adapted to more acid soils and soils with a lower water holding capacity than sorghum, sudangrass or sorghumsudangrass hybrids. For more information, see AGR-231: Pearl Millet.

Crabgrass. Crabgrass is sometimes considered a weed, but possesses significant potential for supplying high quality summer forage (Figure 7). Crabgrass does not have prussic acid potential and is a poor host for the sugarcane aphid. Crabgrass is the general term for many Digitaria species. Commercial seed usually contains

Upcoming Events

Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers: Installation and Troubleshooting

June 11 • Kentucky State University Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, Frankfort forages.ca.uky.edu/Events

Fencing Tip

Properly build fence brace assemblies. Regardless of the type of fence that you are putting up, the brace assembly is the heart of the fencing system. The most recommended brace assembly for our region is the H-brace. The brace post and corner post should be a CCA-treated post that is 6-8 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length and should be driven small end down. The brace rail should be a CCA-treated post that is 5 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length. The brace rail should be pinned with 0.5-inch Class III galvanized pins that are 4 and 10 inches in length. The brace wire should be two wraps of a 170,000 psi Class III galvanized high tensile wire that is tightened with a heavy duty in-line ratcheting strainer. After tensioning, the brace wires should be pulled together by loosely wrapping piece of high tensile wire on each side of the strainer and pushing the wraps toward the post. To learn how to properly build a brace, make plans to attend the Kentucky Fencing Schools that will be held in October.

Digitaria sanguinalis (large or hairy crabgrass) or D. ciliaris (southern crabgrass). A primary advantage of crabgrass is that it is well adapted to Kentucky and occurs naturally in most summer pastures, especially those that have been overgrazed. It is also highly palatable and a prolific reseeder. Planting an improved variety of crabgrass is recommended because the production of naturally occurring ecotypes varies greatly. Crabgrass is best utilized by grazing. For more information, see AGR-232: Crabgrass.

Sunn Hemp. Sunn hemp is a quick growing summer annual legume with an upright growth habit that matches well with taller growing summer annual grasses such as the sorghum species and pearl millet (Figure 8). It is most often used in cover crop mixes, but can be growth as a summer forage, usually as a component in mixtures. For more information on this species can be found in NRCS Plant Guide: Sunn Hemp.

Soybeans. Although soybeans are commonly grown as a grain crop, they can be grazed or harvested as either a hay or silage crop (Figure 9). This most commonly occurs when the grain potential of the soybean crop has been reduced by drought, hail damage or early frost. A realistic forage yield expectation for drought-stressed soybeans would be 1.5 to 2 tons of dry matter per acre. Consideration for utilizing droughtstressed soybeans for forage can be found in AGR-262: Utilizing Drought-stressed Soybeans for Forage.

Strong Cattle Prices to Begin Spring

Josh Maples Mississippi State University Extension

Cattle markets have shown continued strength through the first three months of 2026. Spring began with the strongest calf and feeder cattle prices of any March on record. Average prices during the last week of March 2026 were up 21-38% above year-ago levels across the Southeast, depending on weight range and were more than double what they were just three years ago in March 2023.

The chart above shows average weekly prices for 500-600 lb. steers in Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky from January 2023 through March 2026. The chart below shows prices for 700-800 lb. steers in these states. There has been a clear uptrend in prices over these 3+ years including so far in 2026.

Feeder cattle supplies are at extremely tight levels. Beef demand has been exceptional in recent years. Both factors are supportive of cattle prices. The higher prices should eventually incentivize expansion, however there are few signs of that expansion occurring yet. When widespread expansion begins and producers begin retaining more heifers, there will be even fewer feeder cattle available in the short run until the larger calf crops show up.

Drought conditions have spread in recent weeks which could put a damper on expansion plans for some producers. Most of the southern U.S. is now in at least Abnormally Dry conditions as shown on the drought map. There are many areas in D3 and some in D4. The length and severity of these conditions will impact production decisions for some producers. The FSA Livestock Forage Disaster Program will provide support for eligible producers depending on county-level drought designation. The strong expectations for cattle prices are leading to attractive risk management opportunities for producers, including those who have calves born in recent months. Whether it be using futures, options or USDA Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), now is a great time to analyze price risk management tools.

⃣ Abnormally Dry

⃣ Moderate Drought

⃣ Severe Drought

⃣ Extreme Drought

⃣ Exceptional Drought

BEEF CHECKOFF COLLECTION

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REMITTING THE CHECKOFF ASSESSMENT?

BUYER

Generally the Buyer is responsible for collecting the Beef Checkoff assessment from the Seller

SELLER

50¢

QUALIFIED STATE BEEF COUNCIL

However, both the Buyer and the Seller are responsible for seeing that the Checkoff is collected and paid. or pays $2 to $1.50

Cattlemen’s Beef Board invests in national Checkoff programs, while Kentucky Beef Council invests in state programs.

If you are a producer from one of these seven states - Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island - you will remit directly to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. If you have any questions regarding who is responsible for remitting the Checkoff assessment or how to remit payment, please contact your State Beef Council or the Cattlemen’s Beef Board at (303) 867-6304.

3 Exceptions to Beef Checkoff Collection: 1. Non-producer status: If a person (or company) owns cattle for 10 days or less, purchases the cattle to facilitate the transfer of ownership to a third party, and certifies that any Checkoff dollars due from the previous owner have been collected, then that person qualifies as a “Non-Producer” and the Checkoff assessment is not due when qualified cattle are resold. 2. Organic Exemption: In the 2002 Farm Bill, Congress created a process exemptiing organic producers from paying Checkoff program assessments. 3. Pre-Payment: Producers can also choose to “prepay” the Checkoff assessment when shipping cattle out of state for feeding and still retain ownership on the cattle. This allows the producer to direct half of the $1-per-head national Checkoff assessment to the beef council in the state where the cattle were raised, rather than the state where the cattle will be fed. Note: To claim any of these exemptions, the person selling the cattle must provide the proper ‘document’ to show that the Checkoff assessment is not due at the time of sale. Thus, the rule of thumb for all cattle sales is that the person paying the producer should collect either a “Dollar or a Document.”

LIVESTOCK MARKET - When cattle are sold through a livestock market or video market, the Market collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

CATTLE DEALER/ORDER BUYER - When cattle are sold to a Cattle Dealer or Order Buyer, the Dealer/Order Buyer collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

ANOTHER PRODUCER - Both the Buyer and the Seller are responsible for making sure that the Beef Checkoff assessment is collected and remitted. For clarity and consistency, we encourage the Seller to take on this compliance responsibility.

VEAL GROWER - When dairy calves are sold to a Veal Grower, both the Buyer and the Seller are responsible for making sure that the Beef Checkoff assessment is collected and remitted. For clarity and consistency, we encourage the Seller to take on this compliance responsibility.

CATTLE SHOWS AND FAIRS - When producers sell their animals at fairs or cattle shows (4H/FFA shows, Purebred cattle shows, etc.), the Organization that runs the sale collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

FEEDLOT - When cattle are sold directy to a feedlot, the Feedlot collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

PACKING PLANT - When cattle are sold to a packing plant, the Packing Plant collects and remits the Beef Checkoff assessment.

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER BEEF SALES - When producers market their cattle as beef, the Producer is responsible for remitting the Beef Checkoff assessment.

The

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)

MEMBERSHIP

REGIONAL MEETING DATES (TENTATIVE)

⃣ Region 1: October 19 (Daviess Co.)

2025-26 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

* MEMBERSHIP YEAR 10/1/25– 9/30/26

NAME SPOUSE NAME FARM NAME

*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.

PLEASE CHECK THE MEMBERSHIP(S) YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN:

KCA MEMBERSHIP ($30/YR) NEW RENEWAL

Membership dues are $30 unless otherwise listed below

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To add your spouse, please add $15 to your KCA Membership

KENTUCKY JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION ($10/YR) NEW RENEWAL

I WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE YOUNG PRODUCER’S COUNCIL

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP:

$ KCA

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TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

$ CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION DONATION (voluntary)

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED:

$ ALL DONATIONS TO KCF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

COUNTY DUES

Dues are $30 except for the counties listed below.

Allen...............................$40

Anderson........................$25

Boyle ..............................$35

Bullitt..............................$20

Butler..............................$25

Franklin ..........................$25

Louisville Area ................$20 (Jefferson, & Spencer) Magoffin .........................$20 Menifee ..........................$25

Mountain........................$25

(Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Morgan, Owsley, Perry & Wolfe)

Highlands .......................$20 (Boyd, Johnson, Lawrence, & Martin) Hopkins ..........................$35 Laurel.............................$35

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.

May is Beef Month in Kentucky –Let’s Celebrate Our 32,000 Beef Producers!

Kelly Baird KBC Director of Communications

May is officially Beef Month in Kentucky, and there’s no better time to honor the 32,000 hardworking beef producers who power our agriculture industry across all 120 counties. These dedicated farmers and ranchers are the backbone of Kentucky’s rural communities, ensuring that high-quality beef continues to feed families here and across the nation.

This May, we’re not only recognizing your efforts, but we’re also firing up the grill and putting beef front and center with a mouthwatering lineup of recipes that showcase the bold, satisfying flavor only beef can deliver. Whether you're planning a backyard BBQ or just looking to try something new in the kitchen, these featured recipes are sure to inspire:

Featured Beef Recipes:

Using value-conscious cuts like skirt, flank and flat iron steak, along with ground beef, is a smart way to stretch your food dollars without sacrificing flavor. These cuts are not only budget-friendly, but they also soak up marinades beautifully, making them perfect for bold, globally inspired dishes. Whether you're grilling skirt steak for tacos, using ground beef in a

creative pasta dish or pan-searing flat iron for a fresh salad, these versatile options prove that innovation in the kitchen doesn’t have to break the bank.

This Beef Month, we have four highlighted recipes on pages 33-34 that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds, shake up the usual menu and kick-off grilling season with serious flavor!

Join Us at These Beef Month Events:

We’re celebrating Kentucky’s beef industry all month long, and so are our counties! Below are just events we know of. Feel free to let us know how best we can support your Beef Month events this May!

• April 30th and May 1st – Derby Burger Samplings at Kroger

• May 4th – Proclamation Signing with Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell

• May 5th – Hinton Mills Beef Day

• May 7th – Proclamation Signing with Governor Andy Beshear

• May 8th – Henry County Cattlemen’s Beef Month Cookout

• May 12th – Full Beef Month Takeover Show on Wave Listens Live

• May 12th – Madison County Beef Day

• May 18th – Shelby County Beef Day

• May 20th – Boyle County Beef Day Event

• May 26th – Show on Live from Chevy Chase, WDKY/Fox56

These events are a great way to connect with local farmers, sample delicious beef recipes and learn more about the impact of Kentucky’s cattle industry.

Got a Beef Month Event to Share?

We’d love to help spread the word! If your county or organization is planning a Beef Month celebration, let us know. Together, we can continue to support and spotlight Kentucky’s beef community.

Whether you’re grilling at home, cooking something new in the kitchen or celebrating at a local event, remember to give a big THANK YOU to our beef producers this May. Let’s raise our forks (and burgers) to Kentucky beef! 2026 Official Derby Burger

The 2026 Derby Burger Champion was crowned on March 12 during the live cook-off event held at a Louisville

Kroger store. More than 50 burger recipes were submitted from across the commonwealth and narrowed to eight finalists for the 14th annual competition. Following a public voting period, the top four finalists advanced to compete in the live cooking event. Each contestant prepared and presented their burger to a panel of judges, who evaluated entries based on ease of preparation, creativity, taste and overall consumer appeal.

Greg Yopp of La Grange, Kentucky, was named the 2026 Derby Burger Champion with his winning creation, “The Jerk.” This bold and flavorful burger features a Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef patty seasoned with DanO’s Sweet Caribbean seasoning, topped with pepper jack cheese, fresh mango,

The Jerk

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef

• Dan-O’s Sweet Caribbean Seasoning

• 4 slices Pepper Jack Cheese, habanero jack for more heat

• Jerk Paste

• Mayonnaise

• 1 Red Onion, thinly sliced

• 1 Mango, thinly sliced

• 1 Avocado, sliced

• Plantain Chips

• 4 Dave’s Killer Bread Burger Buns

avocado, crispy plantain chips and sliced red onion− all served on a Dave’s Killer White bun. The tropical-inspired flavor profile and unique ingredient combination set it apart, earning its designation as the Official 2026 Derby Burger.

As the official Derby Burger, “The Jerk” will be showcased throughout the Derby Festival season. Yopp will join the Kentucky Beef Council for media appearances and promotional events, helping highlight Kentucky beef to consumers across the state. The winning burger will be featured at Derby Festival favorites, including BourbonVille and Taste of Derby Festival, and will be available for purchase at Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

In the weeks leading up to the Derby, consumers can also sample the burger at Kroger locations, with ingredients and recipe inspiration highlighted in Kroger endcap displays across Central Kentucky stores. This retail activation is expected to drive significant visibility and increase beef sales, while giving shoppers an easy way to recreate the award-winning burger at home.

The Derby Burger Challenge continues to celebrate the creativity of Kentucky cooks while showcasing the quality and versatility of ground beef, making it a staple tradition of Derby season. What better way to celebrate beef month and kick-off grilling season?

PREPARATION

1. Divide the ground beef into equal patties.

2. Season both sides with Dan-O’s Sweet Caribbean seasoning.

3. Grill patties over medium-high heat until fully cooked (USDA recommends 160oF for Ground Beef).

4. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with pepper jack cheese and allow it to melt.

5. Toast Bun on Grill

6. In a small bowl, blend mayonnaise and jerk seasoning until smooth.

7. Assemble. Spread jerk mayo on the bottom bun, add the grilled patty with melted cheese, top with thinly sliced red onion, mango, and avocado. Add a handful of plantain chips, then place the top bun.

8. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Classic Beef Cheeseburgers

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)

• 1-1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning blend

• 4 hamburger buns, split

• 4 slices cheese (such as Cheddar, American, Swiss, etc.)

• 4 lettuce leaves

• 4 tomato slices

TOPPINGS

• Ketchup, mustard, onion slices, pickle slices (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Combine Ground Beef and steak seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties.

2. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally. About 2 minutes before burgers are done, place buns, cut sides down, on grid. Grill until lightly toasted. During last minute of grilling, top each burger with cheese slice. Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

3. Line bottom of each bun with lettuce; top with tomato, burger and toppings, as desired. Close sandwiches.

Grilled Beef, Summer Squash and Onion Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 2 steaks beef Strip Steak Boneless

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 large clove garlic, minced

• Salt and pepper

• 2 teaspoons garlicpepper seasoning, divided

• 1 medium red onion, cut into 12 wedges

• 1 medium yellow squash, cut lengthwise in half

• 1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise in half

• 8 cups mixed salad greens

PREPARATION

1. Bring vinegar to a boil in small saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes or until reduced by half. Whisk vinegar, oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in small bowl until blended. Set aside.

2. Press 1 teaspoon garlic-pepper seasoning evenly onto beef Strip Steaks Boneless.

3. Soak two 10-inch bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes; drain. Thread onion wedges onto skewers. Brush onions and cut sides of squash with oil; sprinkle with remaining teaspoon garlic-pepper seasoning.

4. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange vegetables around steaks. Grill steaks, covered, 11 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 11 to 15 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium doneness (160°F), turning occasionally. Grill squash 8 to 12 minutes (7 to 11 minutes for gas) and onions 12 to 15 minutes (13 to 16 minutes for gas) or until tender, turning occasionally.

5. Cut squash into 3/4-inch pieces. Arrange squash and onions over greens. Carve steaks into slices; season with salt and pepper, as desired. Arrange over salad. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad; toss.

Foil

Packet Beef and Vegetable Meal

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces refrigerated fully cooked beef Pot Roast, shredded or fully cooked steak, cubed

• 6 ounces prepared smoked Beef Sausage

• 1 cup butternut squash, diced

• 1 cup zucchini or yellow squash, sliced into 3/4 inch pieces and halved

• 2 ears sweet corn, cut in half

• 4 teaspoons vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoons all-purpose seasoning blend, such as Old Bay

PREPARATION

1. Combine beef and vegetables in large bowl. Add oil and seasoning; toss to coat.

2. Preheat grill to medium heat (approximately 350°F).

3. Place a 12” x 12” square of heavy-duty aluminum foil down on work surface. Add 1/4 of beef and vegetable mixture to center of foil. Fold right and left edges in and roll together to close. Fold top and bottom edges in and roll to close package. Repeat with remaining mixture for a total of 4 packets.

4. Grill for 10 to 12 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Cook’s Tip: Packets can also be prepared in a 350°F oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Spicy Korean Beef & Cucumber Appetizers

INGREDIENTS

• 2 beef Strip Steaks Boneless, 1 inch thick (about 1 pound)

• 1/2 cup reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

• 1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce

• 1 seedless cucumber, sliced 1/8 inch thick (18 to 24 slices)

• 1/4 cup Korean red chili sauce (Gochujang)

• 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• Micro greens, chopped kimchi, chopped roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, shredded carrots, chopped cilantro, sliced scallions

PREPARATION

1. Combine cream cheese, green onion, cilantro and soy sauce in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

2. Combine gochujang, vinegar, honey and garlic powder in medium bowl; set aside.

3. Place steak on grid over medium, ashcovered coals. Grill, covered 11 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Remove steaks; keep warm.

4. To assemble, top each cucumber slice with 1 teaspoon cream cheese mixture. Dice steak into bite-size pieces; toss in gochujang mixture. Top cream cheese mixture with steak. Garnish with micro greens, kimchi, peanuts, sesame seeds, cilantro and scallions, if desired.

Putting More Value in Your Calves Before Sale Day

Jake Harrod Program Coordinator, Kentucky Beef Network

As I write this, I am in the midst of preparing for our spring value-added sales that we help support, which will be held in May and June. It is always very encouraging to hear from those who consign cattle to these sales and to listen to their excitement about another opportunity to get the most value out of their calves. These sales include the Kentucky Certified Hereford Influence Sale, the Profit Thru Performance Feeder Calf Sale, and the CPH-45 Sales (Certified Pre-Conditioned for Health). Everyone I know who raises cattle is always looking for more ways to maximize the value of their calves, and these value-added sales are one of those opportunities.

Reading this, you may wonder what “value-added” means. Value-added refers to how a producer markets their cattle by taking steps to increase the value of the animals they are selling. There are numerous ways to add value

to calves intended for sale. These can include basic practices such as weaning calves, castration and testing for BVD. In regard to the sales mentioned above, that is exactly what many producers are doing. These programs have created outlines of basic management practices that consignors must follow in order for their cattle to qualify for the sale. By implementing these practices, producers add value to their animals and, in turn, create the opportunity for greater returns on their investment.

The sales mentioned above utilize a combination of practices designed to increase returns. A good place to start is implementing a vaccination and deworming protocol, which may include vaccinating for IBR, BVD and blackleg. Additional management practices include castrating bull calves and weaning prior to sale. Castrating bull calves can immediately add value and is a practice that can be easily

incorporated into your operation— whether done when calves are young or during routine working. Weaning calves ahead of sale allows them time to adjust to separation from their mothers, helping maintain better health and reducing the risk of illness after sale. Additionally, being able to guarantee that heifers are open can be another effective way to increase value. Overall, implementing these “valueadded” practices can create a stronger marketing path for your cattle. When you take these extra steps, it is important to ensure that potential buyers are aware so you can capture the added value you have created. This can be done in several ways, such as including details in online listings, making note of it for announcements at the stockyards, or consigning calves to value-added sales alongside other producers who follow similar management practices.

Ben Lloyd Whitesville, KY (270) 993-1074

benlloyd0223@gmail.com

Charles Embry Cave City, KY (270) 646-5939 dale.embry@yahoo.com

Cody Burke Frankfort, KY (606) 748-4641

cody.burke2019@gmail.com

Jacob Settles Springfield, KY (859) 805-0724

jacob.settles4@yahoo.com

Samantha Stamm Wallingford, KY (606) 748-7772 sastamm14@outlook.com

Ron Shrout Winchester, KY (859) 397-5151 shroutron@aol.com

Eden Shale Update

Dan Miller Industry Coordinator, Kentucky Beef Network

Along with the normal workload at the farm, we have found time to host several groups for tours and specialized events.

On March 6, we hosted producers from the Buffalo Trace area. There were 25 people in attendance from Mason, Fleming, Bracken and Rowan counties. We toured the farm and highlighted the winter feeding infrastructure and tire water systems.

On March 20, we hosted the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association’s Cattle Working Contest. That day we had 10 teams come to the farm and compete for a chance to advance to the state contest. It was a fun day. I want to thank all the coaches who prepared and brought teams to Eden Shale to compete.

On April 1, we conducted an ag agent training. We had 30 agents from all over the state attend. The day started with a session on forestry management/ controlling invasive species with aerial application of herbicides using a drone. Sky Farm Drones was on-site demonstrating the technology. Steve Higgins with the University of Kentucky then did a session on winter feeding and tire waterers. The afternoon was spent with Chris Teutsch, UK extension forage specialist, and Katie VanValin, UK extension beef specialist, focusing on forage and grazing management.

Since the first of the year, we have hosted 107 people from 30 counties at the farm. Thank you to all of you who have come out to support Eden Shale Farm and learned about what we do for the cattle industry in Kentucky.

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Kentucky Hereford Association

Kentucky Hereford Association

Toby & Debby Dulworth 2492 S. Kirkman Road LaCenter, KY 42056 (270) 224-2993 • dogwood@brtc.net Herefords that thrive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com

HEREFORDS

Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355 rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com

TK4 Herefords

Tony & Kathy Staples 992 Knotts Road

Brandenburg, KY 40108 (270) 945-9277

(270) 422-4220

tstaples@bbtel.com

PILE STOCK FARM

Registered Polled Herefords

HANSELL PILE, JR.

12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724

270-735-5192

12 miles West of Elizabethtown

Shannon, Kerry, Emily, Will & Ellie Morgan

13095 Scottsville Rd, Alvaton, Kentucky 42122

www.morganandmorganpolledherefords.com

Shannon: (270) 320-2389

KHA Certified Hereford Influenced Feeder Calf Sale: May 18

Kentucky Beef Expo Schedule

For more information contact Dustin Ogburn 502-686-0522, LW Beckley 859-779-1419 or Andrew Matheny 606-584-5361

Friday March 1st - Hereford Show - 1pm

Saturday March 2nd - Hereford Sale - 1pm

Sunday March 3rd - Open Junior Show - 8am

WELLS FARM

Polled Herefords

439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701

Bobby & Brenda Wells (606) 344-0417 wells_farm@yahoo.com

WELLS FARM Polled Herefords

NJB Limited

439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701

KHA OFFICERS

President: Chris Hopper 606-584-7842

Toby & Debby Dulworth 2492 S. Kirkman Road LaCenter, KY 42056 (270) 224-2993 dogwood@brtc.net

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

Herefords that thrive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com

6077 Helena Road Mayslick, KY 41055

6077 Helena Road Mayslick, KY 41055

Charlie Boyd II • 606-584-5194 cboyd2@maysvilleky.net www.boydbeef.com

Charlie Boyd II 606-584-5194

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls

Chambliss

Chambliss

Hereford Farms

Hereford Farms

Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss 1101 Driftwood Lane Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss 1101 Driftwood Lane

Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Home (270) 982-3905

Home (270) 982-3905

Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922

Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922

www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

WOLF FARM

Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Females for sale

WCN Polled Herefords

Since 1961

Tim & Peggy Wolf 12939 Peach Grove Road Alexandria, KY 41001

Bill Norris 2220 Celina Road

Burkesville, KY 42717

Home: 859-635-0899

Phone (270) 433-7256

Cell: 859-991-3484

Cell (270) 433-1525

“Every calf needs a white face”

Peyton’s Well Polled Herefords

The Lowell Atwood Family 133 Edgewood Drive • Stanford, KY Luke: (606) 669-8121 Beth: (606) 669-2178

Victor-

Dale Stith 5239 Old Sardis Pike Mays Lick, KY 41055 dalestith@yahoo.com (918) 760-1550

Kevin, Angela, Kenlea & Kyler Murray (606) 528-1691 or (606) 682-8413

MPH Farms

Registered Polled Herefords

Secretary/ Treasurer: Melinda Watson 859-625-8660 melindawatson8660@gmail.com

Ogburn • 502-686-0522 Secretary/

Melinda Watson • 859-625-8660 melindawatson8660@gmail.com

MPH Farms

Registered Polled Herefords

PAUL L. HANCOCK 8559 KY 56 Owensboro, KY 42301 270-771-4194 270-314-9758

PAUL L. HANCOCK 8559 KY 56 Owensboro, KY 42301 270-771-4194

Jackson Farms

Jackson Farms

Registered Polled Herefords PO Box 215 Cross Plains, TN 37049 615-478-4483

Registered Polled Herefords PO Box 215 Cross Plains, TN 37049 615-478-4483

billymjackson@aol.com

billymjackson@aol.com

“Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

“Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

WOLF FARM

Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Females for sale

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

Tim & Peggy Wolf 12939 Peach Grove Road

L. Wayne Beckley • 1420 Fitchburg Rd. Ravenna, KY 40472 • 606-723-3021 Cell: 859-779-0962

Alexandria, KY 41001

Home: 859-635-0899

Cell: 859-991-3484

L.W. Beckley D.V.M 284 Pyrse Lane • Irvine, KY 40336 Cell: 859-779-1419 • Clinic: 606-726-0000 www.beckleyherefords.com

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS

KYLE BUSH

K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM 859-588-4531

198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS KYLE BUSH K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM 859-588-4531 198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

THOMAS FARM

THOMAS FARM

Eric & Ronnie Thomas 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 623-5734

Eric & Ronnie Thomas 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475

Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256

Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256

“Cattle for sale at all times”

“Cattle for sale at all times”

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

Polled Hereford and Gelbvieh Cattle 3459 KY Hwy. 1284 E. Cythiana, KY 41031 (859) 234-6956

Polled Hereford 3459 KY Hwy. 1284 E. Cythiana, KY 41031

Ben (859) 421-7902

Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln

Lincoln (859) 954-0102

Noah (859) 462-2428

Windy Hills Farm

Windy Hills Farm

Jackie D. Perkins II 367 Mt. Pisgah Rd. Bremen, KY 42325 (270) 543-3586

Jackie D. Perkins II 367 Mt. Pisgah Rd. Bremen, KY 42325 (270) 543-3586

Breeding to produce good cows since 1981

Breeding to produce good cows since 1981

Tony Brandenburg, tstaples@bbtel.com

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

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”

“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

“Bulls always for Sale”

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

BURTON & SONS ANGUS

Joe D. or Karen Burton

ANGUS

BUSINESS BREED

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

480 Hominy Hill Rd. Nancy, KY 42544

Joe: (606) 305-3081

Located 15 miles West of Somerset • klburton01@windstream.net

Bulls & females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy. Data driven since 1981.

FALL CREEK ANGUS

448 Corder Farm Road

Monticello, KY 42633

Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588

HILL VIEW FARMS

Jimmy Gilles 5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 929-5370 jcgilles86@gmail.com

APS ANGUS

4040 Taylorsville Rd

Taylorsville, KY 40071

Gordon Schubert

502-477-2637 • 502-548-8440

Anne Patton Schubert 502-477-2663 • 502-548-2359

TWIN CREEK ANGUS

HILL VIEW FARMS

(606) 375-3718

President: Tom McGinnis

Vice

Secretary/Treasurer:

BURKS CATTLE CO.

S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April JOHNSON

CATTLE

531 Rick Rd.

COFFEY ANGUS FARMS

City, KY 42160

661 Hopewell Road Liberty, KY 42539

Burks • (270) 991-6398 www.burkscattle.com

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288

Dewey Coffey: (606) 706-2699

Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

GREAT MEADOWS ANGUS ASSOCIATION

females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy. Data driven since 1981.

COFFEY ANGUS FARMS

661 Hopewell Road

Dale Brown, President 292 Pea Ridge Road Stamping Ground, KY 40439 859-940-8437 www.greatmeadowsangus.com

Liberty, KY 42539

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288

SALES: 3rd Saturday in October • 4th Saturday in April

Dewey Coffey: (606) 706-2699

Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

DAVIS BEND FARMS

LYNN CREEK FARMS

2315 Davis Bend Road Canmer, KY 42722

Kris and Sara Lynn 2184 Bardstown Rd Springfield KY 40069 573-721-6663

timmothyljeffries@gmail.com www.davisbendfarms.com

Tim: (270) 528-6605 • Leslie: (270) 528-6435

FALL CREEK ANGUS

SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM

448 Corder Farm Road Monticello, KY 42633

Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588

4437 East Hwy 80 Russell Springs, KY 42642

Henry Bryan, Melissa, Bryanna and Blane Smith 606-271-7520 bmsmith@duo-county.com

HAMILTON ANGUS FARMS

Eddie Hamilton 2142 Stilesville Road Science Hill, KY 42553 edjohami@aol.com (606) 271-1286 Bulls and Females for Sale

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160

& Females Slaughters, KY

(270) 635-0723

Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 www.burkscattle.com

(270) 635-1137

LYNN CREEK FARMS

Kris and Sara Lynn 2184 Bardstown Rd Springfield KY 40069 573-721-6663

DUTCH CREEK ANGUS

Doug and Susan Schlosnagle (502) 706-0008 DutchCreekAngus.om

MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS

Bob, Kathy, Rob, and Janna 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

HERITAGE FARM

Tom McGinnis 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell

FOUR KINGS ANGUS

250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330

Cary & Kim King Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com

www.stclairangus.com

jacob.tamme@gmail.com www.tammevalley.com

Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager

OLD BARK FARM

Nathaniel(Bub), Sarah, (606) 423-2457 • (606) tripledangus.com

370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716

905-7825

Cattle

Kenley Conner (270) 735-5324 Registered Angus Cattle

TRIPLE D ANGUS

Nathaniel & Darla Denham

Nathaniel(Bub), Sarah, Ashley Denham (606) 423-2457 • (606) 875-0780 tripledangus.com

CANNON ANGUS

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

Jimmy Gilles 5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 929-5370 jcgilles86@gmail.com

Dennis & Emily Gibson (270) 337-2128 or (270) 402-4338 Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson (270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304

RANDOLPH FARM

JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS

6550 Highway 330 Owenton, KY 40359

Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 500 Rockfield Richpond Road Rockfield, KY 42274 (270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005

HERITAGE FARM

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

Tom McGinnis 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell

Located 7 miles west of Bowling Green, 1/2 mile off Hwy 68/80

Mary Jayne and Victoria Cannon 4619 Cherry Grove Rd Flemingsburg, KY 41041 606-748-5420 www.cannonangusfarm.com

WHITE FARM

TAMME VALLEY FARM

Angus Bulls & Females Slaughters, KY

Carter Randolph: (513) 543-4343

Nick Sarky: (513) 262-9846

patty@randolphfarmoperations.com

Keith: (270) 635-0723 Reese: (270) 635-1137

Registered Black Angus Bulls & Females Available Sold Private Treaty. Inquiries Welcome.

SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM 5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Springs, KY 42642 Charles “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898 Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311

Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator (859) 583-7134 jacob.tamme@gmail.com www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook!

Return to: Shayna Gibson 1535 Fallen Timber Road New Castle, KY 40050 • Annual Dues $35

Tim amd Amy White 3664 Military Pike Lexington, KY 40513 P:(859) 223-0326 • (859) 509-5041 (859) 227-2552 F:(859) 223-0326 whitefarm4@twc.com

KENTUCKY ANGUS NEWS

SIMMENTAL

KEVIN AND RACHEL BARRON

Crestwood, Ky

(502) 905-5851

rkbarron812@gmail.com

SWAIN SELECT SIMMENTAL 12113 Green Valley Dr. Louisville, KY 40243 swainselect.com swainselect@gmail.com facebook.com/swainselectsimmental

Fred & Phyllis: 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

JEROD METZGER • 270-779-6260

ROCKING P LIVESTOCK 8308 Orangeburg Road Maysville, KY 41056

Chan: 606-584-7581

Keith: 606-584-5626 rockingplivestock@maysvilleky.net

BRIAN & HEATHER SWAIN 3906 Pottertown Road Murray, KY 42071 • 270-293-4440

wksbswain@murray-ky.net

SIMMENTAL AND SIMANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

1939 Huntertown Road

Versailles, KY 40383

BULLS FOR SALE

Chris Allen 859-351-4486

callenuky@hotmail.com

Dr. Henry Allen 859-229-0755

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They add pounds without sacrificing marbling, and they come with the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator, which factors genetics, health and management into true value.

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406-587-4531 • simmental.org

BRET AND LAURA JACKSON 859.533.3718 or 859.707.7200

BRET & LAURA JACKSON Paris, Kentucky (859) 533-3718 (859) 707-7200

KENTUCKY GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION

AA LAND & CATTLE

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers

KENTUCKY GELBVIEH

Daryl Derossett, President..................................................................................................................(270) 670-6232

Cynthiana, KY

LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

Johnnie Moore, Vice President...........................................................................................................(270) 670-7814

Luke Arthur (859) 298-8323

106 Clark Houk Road • Greensburg, KY 42743

Pat Tilghman, Secretary/Treasurer.......................................................................................................(270) 670-8449

luke.arthur93@gmail.com

Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

Larry Clark, Owner & Operator (270) 299-5167 • (270) 405-6848

Lpclarkandsons@msn.com

BAR IV LIVESTOCK Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke • 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076 Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 • Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke

7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076

Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992

Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

CLIFFORD FARMS

3459 KY HWY 1284E

Cynthiana, KY 41031

Since 1937 (859) 234-6956

CD FARMS Clayton & Debbie Cash • 1214 Ottawa School Road • Brodhead, KY 40409 (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994 • Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale by Private Treaty

BRIAN W. DYER, DVM

BEE LICK GELBVIEHS

Eddie Reynolds 277 Old Bee Lick Rd. Crab Orchard, KY 40419

606-379-2281(H) 606-305-1972(C)

Owner/Manager

GELBVIEH/BALANCERS

BRIAN W. DYER, DVM Owner/Manager GELBVIEH/BALANCERS 2050 Glasgow Road • Burkesville, KY 42717

Bulls & Females for sale

2050 Glasgow Road Burkesville, KY 42717

Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia • (270) 864-5909

Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia (270) 864-5909

FULL CIRCLE FARMS

PLEASANT MEADOWS FARM

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

Gary & Pat Tilghman • Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family Lindsey & Garland Gilliam Family • 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141 • 270.646.7024 pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.com • Registered Gelbvieh & Angus cattle for sale

Brad Burke 989 Metcalf Mill Road • Ewing KY 41039 (H) 606-267-5609 • (C) 606-782-1367 gbb789@windstream.net

CD FARMS

R&D OWEN FARMS GELBVIEH & BALANCERS • PO Box 781 • Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 601-6830 • rdowenfarms.com • sales@rdowenfarms.com

KILBOURNE GELBVIEH

AA LAND & CATTLE

Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road Brodhead, KY 40409 (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994

Johnnie Moore

Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers

Pat

For Sale by Private Treaty

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers Cynthiana, KY Luke Arthur (859) 298-8323 luke.arthur93@gmail.com

Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos

Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects

ASHWOOD SPRING GENETICS

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

East Bernstadt, KY 606-843-6583 cell 606-309-4662

LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

Black Replacement Heifers & Bulls Available Embryo transplant & AI sired calves

106 Clark Houk Road • Greensburg, KY 42743

DONE WRIGHT CATTLE FARMS Casey Wright, Owner • 2665 Poplar Corner Road Lebanon, Kentucky 40033 • 270-692-7496 * donewrightcattle@hotmail.com

Larry Clark, Owner & Operator (270) 299-5167 • (270) 405-6848 Lpclarkandsons@msn.com

BRIAN W. DYER, DVM

MOCKINGBIRD HILL FARMS

Owner/Manager

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

UPCOMING EVENTS

Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076

Luke & Lindsay Arthur Cynthiana, KY 859-298-8323

Saturday May 15

Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992

GELBVIEH/BALANCERS 2050 Glasgow Road Burkesville, KY 42717

S&S GELBVIEH BREEDING RED & BLACK POLLED GELBVIEH SINCE 1982

David, Jerri & Jon David: 162 Hastings Ln • Fredonia, KY 42411 (270) 556-4259 Arthur & Joyce Slaughter 19068 Marion Rd • Fredonia, KY 42411 (270)545-3455

Kentucky Junior Gelbvieh Show & Learning Clinic

Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

McIntosh Brothers Farm • 3348 Frankfort Road • Georgetown 10AM Learning Clinic • 12:30PM Show

Shane Wells 10172 Provo Rd. Rochester, KY H: 270-934-2198 C: 270-791-8196 swells@logantele.com

CLIFFORD FARMS 3459 KY HWY 1284E Cynthiana, KY 41031

Since 1937 (859) 234-6956

Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia (270) 864-5909

FULL CIRCLE FARMS REGISTERED GELBVIEH CATTLE

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

Call William McIntosh for more information. (502) 867-3132

BEE LICK GELBVIEHS

Eddie Reynolds

FULL CIRCLE FARMS

Brad Burke: 989 Metcalfe Mill Rd, Ewing, KY 41039 (H) 606-267-5609 (C) 606-782-1367 gbb789@windstream.net

277 Old Bee Lick Rd. Crab Orchard, KY 40419

Friday May 28 - May 30

BRIAN W. DYER, DVM

Owner/Manager

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

GELBVIEH/BALANCERS

606-379-2281(H) 606-305-1972(C)

Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076 Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

AGJA Eastern Regional Junior Show “Run for the Roses” Burley Fields Livestock Center • 709 Oil Fields Road • Horse Cave

Cattle for sale at all times.

2050 Glasgow Road Burkesville, KY 42717

Brad Burke 989 Metcalf Mill Road • Ewing KY 41039 (H) 606-267-5609 • (C) 606-782-1367 gbb789@windstream.net

Bulls & Females for sale

Call Carrie Derossett for more information. (270) 404-0828

HEDGESPETH LIVESTOCK GELBVIEH/BALANCER CATTLE-COMMERCIAL HEIFERS 543 Pleasant Run Church Road • Campbellsville, KY 42718 sam.hedgespeth@gmail.com • Sam-270.299.5449 Seth-270.932.1615 Dan-606.686.1679 Andrew-270.405.1990

BEE LICK GELBVIEHS

Entry and room information available at www.gelbvieh.org (Juniors/Regional Shows/AGJA Eastern Regional)

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

BRAY’S GELBVIEH CATTLE

Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road Brodhead, KY 40409 (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994

Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia (270) 864-5909

PLEASANT MEADOWS FARM

FULL CIRCLE FARMS

RICH HILL GELBVIEH

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle

PADON FARMS GELBVIEH BULLS & FEMALES FOR SALE 1012 Shelby Road • Salem, KY 42078 • Thad Padon (270) 836-5518

Gary & Pat Tilghman Lindsey Tilghman Jones Family Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141 270.646.7024 • pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.

Frank McAninch 1341 Iven Godby Road Liberty, KY 42539 606-787-0120 richhillfarm@windstream.net

Brad Burke 989 Metcalf Mill Road • Ewing KY 41039 (H) 606-267-5609 • (C) 606-782-1367 gbb789@windstream.net

GELBVIEH East Bernstadt, KY

ROBINSON GELBVIEH Tim & Lisa Robinson • 2311 Hillspring Road Pleasureville, KY 40057 • Timrobinson0204@gmail.com • 502-643-0581

Niles & Betty K Bray 1568 Bray Ridge Road Bedford, KY 40006 (502) 255-3584

606-843-6583 cell 606-309-4662

Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale by Private Treaty

Black Replacement Heifers & Bulls Available Embryo

For information on joining the

CD FARMS Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road Brodhead, KY 40409

SALERS THE BALANCED BREED

REGISTERED

ANGUS

PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE Call 270-202-7186 for more info or check out www.oakhollowangus.com for current availability.

POLLED HERFORD BULLS 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 270-5662000

THE FOUNDATION SALE XII Sat. Sept. 19, 2026 1 Pm Ct. United Producers, Bowling Green, Ky Limousin Fullblood,Purebreed,Limflex. For Info. Call Stephen Haynes 270-799-8685 Or 270799-8684

BREEDING AGE HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE AT ALL TIMES Over 60 years of Line 1 Hereford Genetics. Groups of open and bred heifers available for sale at all times. Chambliss Hereford Farms. 270-668-7126

DIAMOND J SALERS

Donald Johnson • 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-379-1558

DIAMOND J SALERS

WILLIS FARMS

Donald Johnson • 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-305-8747

Danny Willis • 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 • 502-803-5011 drwc21@aol.com • Purebred + Optimizer Breeding bulls & Heifers for sale.

DEL-SU FARM

WILLIS FARMS

Howard & Sue Edwards • 420 Rose Rd • Somerset, KY 42501 606-679-1675 • Jeriah Privett • 606-416-1154

Danny Willis • 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 502-803-5011 • drwc21@aol.com

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

Registered Angus Bulls • January and February Yearlings • CAIP Elibigle • Semen Checked • Birth Weights and DNA Enhanced EPDs • Calving Ease and Growth • Heifers and Pairs Available Freezer Beef Halves and Quarters Metropolis, IL, 618-638-7693 www.bremerbrothers.com

RED ANGUS, SIMANGUS, CHAROLAIS, ANGUS FOR SALE Red Hill Farms, Lafayette, TN, 615666-3098 Bart, Sarah and Ty Jones Gordon and Susan Jones, 270-991-2663 Visit us online - www.RedHillFarms.net Contact us for cattle and semen availability. Annual Production Sales: More Than a Bull Sale – 3rd Saturday in March • Maternal Monday – 3rd Monday in May Bulls & Females of Fall Sale – Last Saturday in October

BULLS FOR SALE Angus and Lim-Flex Bulls Yearlings to 2-years-old. Delivery available Call or text 270-589-7999

REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE EPDs Available Randolph Farm, Owenton, KY (513) 262-9846 www. randolphfarmky.com

2 REGISTERED SIMMENTAL HEIFERS. DOBs 8-17-2005 and 9-19-2025. Very Gentle. $2,500 each OBO. Wayne Works, 859-750-3967 Independence, KY

HOT MAY DEALS: Stoltzfus spreaders-Fertlime- litter. American Harrow Chain Drags. Notill seeders. Manure spreaders- 35 in stock. Artex SB 200- used 100 loads. Artex 350-600-800 all in stock. John Deere 4230- nice-$25,000. Patz 420 tmr mixer $21,000. Meyer 510 F mixer-2021- nice $40,000. Farmco feeder wagons- tmr side bar wagon. Lancaster hammer mills. Silage wagons-12 in stock Rear and front unload combo. John Deere 5085 M- 4wd canopy, $26,500. John Deere 550 M Silage Baler$26,500. Call Charlie 859-608-9745

Do you know an outstanding cattleman?

Nominate them for the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Hall of Fame.

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Hall of Fame is designed to honor a member of the organization that has given time, service and talent to the betterment of the Cattlemen’s Association at the county and/or state levels.

2026 applications must be received by June 19th.

Call us at (859) 278-0899 with questions. Application available at www.kycattle. org/hall-of-fame

Costs Per Pregnancy....Ever Think About It?

Les Anderson Assistant Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

I had a producer call last week and ask me if he could afford to run two bulls with his 20 cows. He had done this for years with great success but was

concerned about investing $15,000 into two bulls. First, I indicated that he needs only one bull for his 20 cows if he routinely obtains a breeding soundness

exam. This made me wonder how many cattle producers have stopped to figure out how much each pregnancy costs? To help producers understand the costs associated with producing a pregnant female, we have modernized a paper from Beef Reproductive Extension Specialist Sandy Johnson and co-workers at Kansas State University. Tables 1 and 2 illustrate the costs per pregnancy for bulls that range in price from $4,000 to $9,000 and bull-to-cow ratios from 1:15 to 1:50. These purchase prices seem relevant to today’s market where bulls are averaging $6,000-9,000 in advertised sales. Assumptions of the model included use of the bull for three seasons with a salvage value of $2,880 in three years (1,800-pound bull sold at $1.60 per pound). We also assumed a 10% death loss, a 7% interest rate, and an 8090% pregnancy rate. Bulls were pastured in a 2.5-acre lot for 8 months and fed hay and supplement that amounted to $476. Add in a few dollars for repairs, veterinarian service and the resulting out-of-pocket cost for bull maintenance is $625.

Of course, the investment must be accounted. As the purchase price rises, the depreciation and the interest rise. Death becomes more costly as well. Once the cost of the financial investment is calculated, these costs range from $667 per year to as high as $2,558 for a bull that costs $9,000. Adding the fixed and variable costs together the cost to own a bull each year ranges from $1,292 to $3,184 for bulls purchased at $4,000 and $9,000, respectively.

How does this translate into cost per pregnancy? Cost per pregnancy is impacted by the number of cows exposed to the bull each year and by the overall pregnancy rate at the end of the season. Costs per pregnancy for herds ranging from 15-50 cows with an 80-90% pregnancy rate are shown in Table 2.

For a 20-cow herd, costs per pregnancy ranged from $87-$199 if pregnancy rate was 80%. This cost gets cheaper by adding cows and by increasing pregnancy rate. Even for a 30-cow herd with a pregnancy rate of 90%, the cost per pregnancy for bulls ranging in purchase price from $7,000-$9,000 is $90-$118.

For the first time in the beef industry, the use of estrus synchronization and AI (ESAI) can lower the cost per pregnancy. Producers can use a partial budget (Table 3) for enterprise analysis of ESAI. Implementation of ESAI can increase returns by:

• increasing the weaning weight of the calves (both age and genetic effects)

• increasing market price by increasing the uniformity of the calf crop

• improving cow productivity by enhancing the number of high-quality replacement heifers.

ESAI can reduce costs by:

• lowering the number of bulls needed for natural service

• reducing the labor hours at calving due to a more concentrated and predictable calving season

Alternatively, ESAI can reduce potential income because:

• fewer bulls are available to sell as cull bulls

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

• Continue supplying a high magnesium mineral until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees F.

• Improve or maintain body condition (BCS 5) of cows before breeding season starts. If necessary, increase energy intake even on pasture.

• Bulls should have a breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) well before the breeding season (at least 30 days). Contact your local veterinarian to schedule a BSE for your herd sires. They should also receive their annual booster vaccinations and be dewormed. I often get questions regarding deworming and reduced fertility in bulls. Phil Prater at Morehead State University and I examined this and found no effect of deworming on bull fertility.

• Schedule spring “turn-out” working in lateApril or early-May, i.e. at the end of calving season and before the start of breeding season. Consult with your veterinarian about vaccines and health products for your herd.

“Turn-out” working for the cow herd may include:

• Prebreeding vaccinations

• Deworming

• Replacing lost identification tags

• Sort cows into breeding groups, if using more than one bull

• Insecticide eartags (best to wait until fly population builds up)

“Turn-out” working of calves may include:

• Vaccinate for IBR-PI3, Clostridial diseases and pink eye

• Dehorn, if needed (can be done with electric dehorner and fly repellent during fly season)

• Castrate and implant male feeder calves (if not done at birth)

• Deworm

Budget Effect Source Budget Effect Source

Increased Return

• Heavier calves (earlier average birth date)

• Improved genetics (calves and replacement females)

• Uniformity of calf crop (fewer sires could be used, total breeding season could be shorter)

Decreased Cost

• Fewer bulls to purchase and maintain

• Less labor for more concentrated calving season

• More predictable calving ease

Decreased Return

• Fewer cull bulls to sell

• Insecticide eartags

• Consider breeding yearling replacement heifers one heat cycle (about 21 days) earlier than cows for “head-start” calving. Mate to known calving-ease bulls.

• Record identification of all cows and bulls in each breeding group.

• Begin breeding cows no later than mid-May, especially if they are on high endophyte fescue. Cows should be in good condition so that conception occurs prior to periods of extreme heat.

• Consider synchronizing estrus in all cows. Exposing late-calving cows and first-calf heifers to a progestin (MGA feed or CIDR device) for seven days before bull turn out increases pregnancy rates and shortens the next calving season.

• Choose best pastures for grazing during the breeding season. Select those with the best stand of clover and the lowest level of the fescue endophyte, if known. Keep these pastures vegetative by grazing or clipping. High quality pastures are important for a successful breeding season.

If using artificial insemination:

• Use an experienced inseminator.

• Make positive identification of cows and semen used. This will permit accurate records on date bred, return to heat, calving date and sire.

• Good handling facilities and gentle working of the cows are essential.

• Choose AI sires that will meet your goals and resist the temptation to get your cows bigger. Many breeds have an EPD for mature cow weight which can be used to keep cows’ weights manageable. Using sires with higher accuracy EPDs will reduce risk.

• Observe breeding pastures often to see if bulls

Increased Cost

• Planning and management for synchronization of estreus and AI

• Synchronization products and supplies

• Labor

• Improved Facilities?

are working. Records cows’ heat dates and then check 18-21 days later, for return to heat.

Fall Calving Herd

• Contact your veterinarian and pregnancy diagnose the cow herd. If a large animal veterinarian is not available in your area, consider taking blood samples for pregnancy diagnosis. Remove open cows at weaning time.

• Plan marketing program for calves. Consider various options, such as maintaining ownership and backgrounding in a grazing program, or precondition and sell in a CPH-45 feeder calf sale.

• Initiate fly control for the cows when fly population builds up.

• Calves may be weaned anytime now but you can take advantage of the spring grass by leaving them on the cow a while or weaning and grazing.

Stockers

• Keep calves on good pasture and rotate pastures rapidly during periods of lush growth. Manage to keep pastures vegetative for best performance.

• Provide mineral mix with an ionophore.

• Implant as needed.

• Control internal and external parasites.

General

• Harvest hay. Work around the weather and cut early before plants become too mature. Harvesting forage early is the key to nutritional quality. Replenish your hay supply!

• Rotate pastures as needed to keep them vegetative.

• Clip pastures to prevent seedhead formation on fescue and to control weeds.

• Seed warm-season grasses this month.

• fewer open/cull cows to sell

Also, to perform ESAI, we need to consider the costs for synchronization products and supplies, labor, technician and perhaps facilities. How much does it cost to incorporate ESAI into your cow herd? Several factors affect the cost per pregnancy of ESAI. Conception rate to the AI influences the cost per pregnancy. The pharmaceuticals cost about $30 per cow (CIDR, PG, GnRH, patch), the semen costs $20 per cow, the technician will cost $10 per cow. This totals to $60 out-of-pocket costs for the producer not counting labor. Labor costs for two workers adds $10 per cow (2 workers, 6 hours, $20/hour) adding up to $70 total per cow. If conception rate is 70%, then the cost per pregnancy is $100. This cost rises as conception rate decreases so if conception rate is only 60% then the cost per pregnancy is $116. Thus, it appears that ESAI could be cheaper, but is it?

In most systems, a bull is turned out after ESAI to service the cows that do not conceive to AI. Unfortunately, this management system does not reduce the cost per pregnancy. For example, if we have 25 cows and they are synchronized

and inseminated once and then turned out with the bull. Our cost per pregnancy on the AI is $100 for 17 cows and $306 for the eight bred by the bull. In cow herds that only need one bull, combining ESAI and natural service is even more expensive. The only viable option for reducing the cost per pregnancy for small herds is to shift to a total AI program. Two systems are available now that enable producers to easily adopt total AI programs, but it takes commitment.

However, if producers own over 50 cows and typically run multiple bulls in a single season, the use of ESAI can reduce costs per pregnancy. Producers with more than 35 cows can use ESAI and sell half of their bulls because at least half will be bred via AI. Thus, herds large enough to use multiple bulls can not only take advantage of proven bulls with high accuracy EPDs but they can also potentially save significant costs. But saving money is not the whole story.

Use of ESAI can also improve productivity and revenue. Recent research from Cliff Lamb at Texas A&M examined the short-term economic impact of a breeding system that included fixed-time insemination + natural service or just natural service in about 1,200 females

on eight different farms. The breeding seasons began and ended on the same day in both groups on all farms. A partial budget was used to compare the positive economic impact (added revenue, reduced costs) with the negative economic impact (added costs, reduced revenue). Use of ESAI improved short-term returns by about $50. One of the more interesting aspects of this work is that a positive economic impact was observed in seven of the eight farms and ranged from +$123 to $10 per cow. The lone farm that saw reduced revenue did not observe an increase in overall pregnancy rate or a shift in days to calving. These results indicate that the short-term impact (profit/loss) is dictated by the improved reproductive performance normally observed when ESAI is used. Estrus synchronization and AI are a profitable enterprise for commercial beef cow-calf operations and for the first time in history, may be cheaper than natural service, especially in larger herds. Several options exist for smaller herds to move to total AI with minimal additional labor inputs. If you have ever considered AI, now is the time to try it. It is a sound investment that can pay dividends in the years to come.