March 2022

The official newsletter of Kentucky's Beef Industry.
BQCA CERTIFICATIONS DEADLINE
EXTENDED!

The Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky are pleased to announce that the Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association will be sponsoring the enrollment costs for Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) certification in March and September, 2022. 

The Kentucky BQCA program takes national BQA practices one step further to provide a holistic program for Kentucky producers, by adding cattle handling and animal care component to the training models. Educational modules provide the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being, in addition to training on the core principles of BQA. 

The cost of BQCA enrollment is $5 for in person training through their local county extension office and $10 for online training, however from March 1- 31, 2022 and September 1-30, 2022 the Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association will be sponsoring the enrollment costs, making it free for producers.
Many of our Kentucky farmers feel the joy of having their kids accompany them on the farm. Kentucky Cattlemen's Ground Beef is proud to champion these families as they create these memories. By purchasing #kycattlemensgroundbeef, you are supporting local farmers and their families like Allan Bryant.
Checkin' on the Checkoff
THE NEW VOICE OF KY BEEF
The voice of the Wildcats is doubling as a voice for the cattle industry in the Bluegrass state.

Kentucky Beef Council is ecstatic to announce a partnership with Tom Leach to serve as the spokesperson for the organization. Leach is the current voice of the Kentucky Wildcats announcing Kentucky sports games and host of the Leach Report, a daily radio show.

“We are excited to kick off this partnership, it is the perfect time to gear up for summer grilling, spending time with friends and family, and of course, tailgating,” said Kylie Trail, Director of Brand Management. “With his passion for our industry stemming from his background of growing up on his family's farm in bourbon county to being the most recognizable voice in the bluegrass, Leach is the perfect spokesperson for our brand.”

"I am excited and honored to partner with cattle farmers in Kentucky for their marketing efforts,” said Leach. “ We had a small herd of cattle on the farm on which I grew up so I know how important the industry is for Kentucky's economy and for those family farms across our state."

Leach will be spotlighted promoting the Kentucky Beef Council on traditional and digital advertisements and at event appearances. Television commercials will begin airing in March in addition to radio commercials on Kiss 96.1 and 98.1 The Bull. Additionally, Kentucky Beef Council will appear on Leach’s Sunday Morning Sports Talk and the Leach Report.

-Written by Carson Pemberton, KCA Communications Intern.
Happening at Eden Shale Farm
EDEN SHALE FARM UPDATE - March 2022

"Calving season is in full force at Eden Shale. This year we have 107 head to calve, the most we have had since we took the farm over in 2013.
The heifers started calving on February 15th and the cows started calving on February 26th. As of writing (March 7th) we have had 54 calves born in the first 21 days of the calving season. And as an additional bonus, March came in like a lamb this year. We had 5 consecutive days of temperatures in the 60’s with no rainfall. During these first 5 days of March we had 29 calves born! I still believe the best investment a commercial cow/calf operation can make is to synchronize the cow herd at breeding. Having half the calf crop born in the first heat cycle plays a huge role in the consistency of those calves at weaning..." (excerpt from 3/15 blog post)
Youth Activities
KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION AWARDS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship Requirements:
  • You must be a graduate from a Kentucky public, private, charter or homeschools in the year of application.
  • Be enrolled and attending an institute of higher education after graduation.
  • Planning to major in Agriculture or an Agriculturally-related subject.
  • Applicant or their parent or guardian must be a member of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association.

*Deadline to apply is March 31, 2022.
For more information contact Nikki Whitaker at the KCA office:
859-278-0899 or 176 Pasadena Drive, Lexington, KY 40503
At the recent Kentucky Beef Expo, many KJCA members were spotted around the barn getting cattle ready for the show, spending time with friends, and participating in the judging contest. KJCA supporters should be proud of the hard work and dedication the members showcased in Louisville. The KJCA Board of Directors were also helpful in speaking at the Kentucky Junior Simmental Association meeting where they discussed what the KJCA has given to them, as well as events and trips they have enjoyed. The Board of Directors were also asked to help with the 4-H & FFA Judging Contest.

If you are interested in learning more about KJCA, contact Bradon Burks at bburks@kycattle.org.
The YARDS Classroom
The YARDS Classroom has started to book more groups in the past few weeks, and we are excited to host more. A visit is at zero cost to participants, which includes a lesson on various beef topics, such as the Basics of Beef, and the Kentucky Beef Industry. No matter if attendees have a beef background or not, lessons are designed to reach all participants. The visit also includes a tour of Blue Grass Stockyards. Contact Bradon Burks for more information on what a trip to the YARDS might look like for your group via email at bburks@kycattle.com.
In The News
Beef Expo Volunteers
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
Pictured above: Two little helpers that aided in setting up the Kentucky Beef Council booth at the KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo.
Read past Issues of The Kentucky Cattlemen Newsletter:
Share this newsletter: