April 2021

The official newsletter of Kentucky's Beef Industry.
USDA HANDS RESPONSIBILITY OF RFID TRACEABILITY EFFORTS TO APHIS
There are new developments in the rules and tracing of cattle via RFID tags, AgDay’s Clinton Griffiths reports. The USDA has announced it will not finalize a plan introduced by the Trump Administration to approve Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags as the official ear tag for interstate movement of cattle.
KLMA WEBINAR #2 - QUESTIONS TO THE SALE BLOCK
Join us this Thursday for the 2nd KLMA Webinar! Click the button below to register for this free event.
NEW CALF CARE & QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM LAUNCHED
The U.S. calf-raising sector now has a program to help ensure optimal calf health and welfare via the Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA) program. CCQA is the first, collaborative educational tool that provides guidelines for calf raisers. The CCQA program is a joint initiative led by NCBA’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, funded by the Beef Checkoff, and the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, managed by the National Milk Producer’s Federation (NMPF) with support from the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, and the Beef Checkoff-funded Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program.
UK TO HOST FENCING SCHOOLS IN MAY
The University of Kentucky will host two regional fencing schools this spring to help livestock producers learn the newest fencing techniques and sound fence construction. 

The 2021 spring schools will occur May 11 at the Christian County Extension office in Hopkinsville and May 13 at the Daviess County Extension office in Owensboro. The schools begin at 7:30 a.m. CDT and conclude at 4:30 p.m. CDT. 
SENATE BILL TO REFORM HOURS OF SERVICE, LOGGING REGULATION FOR AG HAULERS
Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the Hours of Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) regulations at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). 
The bill would also delay enforcement of the ELD rule until the required reforms are formally proposed by the Transportation Secretary. 
USDA REOPENS CFAP2 TODAY: WITH 60 DAYS TO APPLY, HERE'S WHO'S ELIGIBLE
A program that was announced under the Trump Administration is now open again for farmers. The second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) restarted April 5. The program is part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, and farmers have 60 days to either apply or make modifications to their existing CFAP 2 applications.
US BEEF INDUSTRY IS THE MOST SUSTAINABLE
A research paper released today confirmed U.S. beef production is the most sustainable production system in the world, a fact long understood by America’s cattle producers, who between the 1960s and 2018, reduced the carbon footprint of the industry by 40 percent while producing 66 percent more beef.
Checkin' on the Checkoff
2021 DERBY BURGER CHALLENGE WINNER
Brian Capps of Louisville, KY, has been crowned the 2021 Derby Burger Champion in the 10th Annual Derby Burger Challenge. Capps’ burger, made with 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef is packed with flavor. The patty is topped with brie, thick-cut bacon, a blueberry bourbon sauce and arugula - all on a brioche bun.
BEEF AND THE DERBY VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS
Join Executive Chef Varanese of Varanese, River House, and Levee at the River House for a virtual cooking class as he demonstrates how to make create an amazing dinner centerpiece, the Tomahawk Ribeye along with an exciting appetizer and Derby cocktail. Join us Tuesday, April 20 from 6-7:30 PM ET by signing up today!
Happening at Eden Shale Farm
EDEN SHALE FARM UPDATE - MARCH 2021
Rotational grazing is not a new concept. We have all heard the term and understand the principles behind the practice. If you constantly move the animals to a fresh pasture, they get exposed to fresh grass while distributing manure evenly over multiple areas and reducing the impacts on each individual field.
Youth Activities
KENTUCKY YOUNG BEEF LEADERS: MISSISSIPPI BEEF INDUSTRY TOUR
An immersive visit to explore Mississippi’s beef industry. Highlighting the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal & Dairy Sciences and Agricultural Economics at Mississippi State University. This trip is to build young beef leaders’ knowledge of emerging beef industry research, network with leaders in those fields and learn about careers. The group will also be touring various beef industry stops along the way.

This program is open to incoming high school seniors through fourth year in undergraduate study, participants must also be a Kentucky resident and/or enrolled in a Kentucky school. Attendees will be selected through an application and interview process.

Application period ends April 21 2021. 
KJCA VIRTUAL JUDGING CONTEST
Congratulations to these top individuals from our online judging contest!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Online Judging Contest! We had almost 200 participants from 30 states! Also, a big thank you to the University of Kentucky Livestock Judging Team for creating the sets and helping score the written reasons.
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
HINDSIGHT 2020: RETAIL AND FOODSERVICE TRENDS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
A year into one of the largest disruptions of the global and U.S. economies, some industries and market sectors are continuing to feel the severe impacts of COVID-19. One of the largest industries in the U.S. to continue struggling due to the impact of COVID-19, the foodservice industry, comprises the majority of consumer beef demand in the United States on an annual basis.
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