September 2019
(Volume 7 Issue 9)
The official newsletter of Kentucky's Beef Industry.
IMPACTS OF THE PACKING PLANT FIRE IN KANSAS
The fire, at a plant in Holcomb, Kansas, owned by Tyson Fresh Meats, stressed an already sensitive balance between processing capacity and a growing fed cattle supply. Immediately after the fire, the Holcomb facility’s cattle were sent to other facilities in an industry already facing a relatively strained capacity. Among the many questions surrounding the fire are how is it impacting stakeholders who both sell to and buy from this increasingly concentrated industry, and when we can expect everything to get back to normal?
BEEF YOU'RE INVITED TO BEEF BASH 2019
You’ve got to see this one! The University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association are busy planning a fall educational event with something for everyone. Circle Thursday, September 26th on your calendar and join us at the UK C. Oran Little Research Center in Versailles for an afternoon with the cows, grass, and fellowship.
BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEY
For Cow/Calf operators educational programs to be effective they need to be designed for PRODUCERS by PRODUCERS.    That’s why we are calling for your help! With your input we can improve current production educational programs and continue to support the strength of the beef industry for the years to come. When you fill out the survey, you will automatically be entered to win hundreds of prizes, including Yeti Coolers, Yeti cups, hats, gift cards and more! All of your answers will be completely anonymous. Please fill out survey by September 30 th , 2019.  Prizes will be sent out in October of 2019.
KCA SUMMER APPAREL NOW AVAILABLE
Get your KCA gear today! We are offering a windbreaker, a 1/4 zip pullover, and polo. Download the form below to place your order. You can send your completed form to the KCA office by mail or fax. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. Orders may also be placed by calling the office at 859-278-0899 or by emailing mmiller@kycattle.org
Checkin' on the Checkoff
WHAT IS THE KENTUCKY CHECKOFF DOING ABOUT MEAT SUBSTITUTES?
What is the Checkoff doing about meat substitutes? Conducting Intensive Consumer and Market Research. Here are some highlights!

In Kentucky, Beef Is Still What’s For Dinner! A Kentucky consumer research study finding’s reveals that 63% of Kentucky consumers polled enjoy beef weekly, which is 12% higher than the national average. By comparison, less than 8% of Kentucky consumers polled report consuming meat substitutes on a weekly basis.

Additionally, meat substitutes represent just a tiny fraction of pounds sold; barely registering at 0.1% share in 2018. Looking specifically at beef alternatives, the share is only 0.5%, with beef owning the other 99.5% of market share. (Source: There is No Alternative to Beef, NCBA)
KENTUCKY STATE FAIR RECAP
The Kentucky State Fair is a place where agriculture still shines. The work and products provided by Kentucky’s beef cattle families is highlighted in many ways across the fair. Walking through the West Wing you can easily see the hard work many families have put into raising show cattle to exhibit and be on display so non-farming families can experience these fantastic animals. The epicenter to educate non-farming families is Ag Land. This was the second year of Ag Land, and again was wildly successful. Kentucky Beef Council brought the beef story to life in our pasture to plate graphics. Visitors wear eager to take home beef recipes and get cooking. Visitors also had the opportunity to enjoy a great beef sandwich at any of the KY Cattlemen’s Association cooking booths across the grounds. The state fair had over 580,000 visitors this year, meaning this was the Kentucky Beef Council’s largest consumer facing event for the year! 

Happening at Eden Shale Farm
FALL OPEN HOUSE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH
Eden Shale Farm will have their Open House Field Day on Saturday, October 12th at 10am (EST). Registration will begin at 9:30am with the tour starting promptly at 10:00am. Lunch will be provided at the end of the tour so please RSVP if you plan to come.

You can RSVP by calling the KCA Office at 859-278-0899, or email kbn@kycattle.org
CALF PENS AND PASTURES
Over the past two years, producers have seen more mud and production losses than they ever want to see in their entire life. One possible production solution that could address several of these mud and production issues is the implementation of calf pens and pastures created using creep gates.
Youth Activities
In The News
RETAIL INSIGHTS
What's happening with Beef at Retail? These monthly articles leverage scanner data and other sources to inform retailers and other channel audiences on key beef industry trends and measures at retail. The topics may vary by month. We welcome your feedback, and if you are interested in a specific topic, please let us know by contacting BeefNewsNow@beef.org
CASH RENTS COUNTY ESTIMATES
Check out USDA's latest county estimates for cash rents!
CONSUMERS PREFER REAL BEEF OVER ALTERNATIVES
Alternative protein products may have drawn rave reviews and national headlines this year, but consumers still prefer real beef produced on real farms.
That’s the conclusion of a survey of about 1,800 U.S. food consumers. Holding prices constant, the authors found 72% of respondents chose farm raised beef, 16% plant-based meat alternatives, 7% plant-based animal-like protein, and 5% lab grown meat.

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