June 2017 - Vol. 5  Issue 6 
The official newsletter of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Kentucky Beef Council and the Kentucky Beef Network.
Features
Beef Solutions Gets Approval for Ground Beef Project     

On Friday, May 19, Beef Solutions, LLC received funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. Beef Solutions, LLC was formed to provide a pathway for Kentucky's cattle producers to enter the market for locally produced and marketed ground beef, guiding the product from the Kentucky farm to the meat counter. Beef Solutions will provide a way for Kentucky consumers to purchase local ground beef and a way for Kentucky retailers to have a reliable, source verified product.

"As the largest beef producing state east of the Mississippi River, it is only fitting that we have our very own Kentucky beef product," said Dave Maples, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President.




Beef Education Center Set to Open This Fall   

We are proud to announce that we will be supporting a beef education center set to open this fall at the new  Bluegrass Stockyards called The Yards.  The Yards is an acronym for Teaching, Health, Environment, Youth, Agricultural Advocacy, Research, Demonstration and Scientific Learning. It will be an educational facility focusing on the science and practices of the beef industry.

"We are so lucky to have an opportunity to impact so many people through this classroom," stated Dave Maples, Executive Vice President for the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. "It will provide a unique experience to work with students, producers, industry partners and consumers."



Animal Shelter Assistance Grant - DEADLINE EXTENDED    

T he Animal Shelter Assistance Grant was established to provide financial assistance to agencies for shelter expansion, improvement, or general needs to ensure the well being of the animals in the shelter. $5000 was awarded to shelters across the state last year.  If you would like to apply for a grant, a pplications must be postmarked by Friday, June 23 to be considered. Follow the link below for more info on guidelines and eligibility. 



Applications Open for Hall of Fame 

Do you know a cattleman or cattlewoman whose time, dedication, and service to the Cattlemen's Association and the industry has made a far-reaching impact? Consider nominating them for the 2018 KCA Hall of Fame. This program is designed to give appropriate recognition to those who have made highly significant achievements in agriculture or agribusiness. Five people will be inducted into the KCA Hall of Fame, with one inductee being from each of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Membership Regions. You can download the application below. Nominations must be postmarked no later than August 31, 2017. 

Pettit Represents KCA at YCC 

Jeff Pettit represented KCA on the 2017 Young Cattlemen's Conference (YCC) trip. Seen above, he met with Senator Rand Paul and Congressman James Comer during the conference . Jeff is a Red Angus, Red Simmental and Red Sim-Angus Cattle breeder and producer from Sebree, KY.

The 2017 YCC, organized by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, included more than sixty cattle and beef professionals who learned about all facets of the industry in Colorado, Illinois, and Washington, DC, between May 31 and June 8.

Checkin' On the Checkoff
Beefy Recipe Video

Beef Month a Big Success

During the month of May, your Kentucky beef team was on the move, sharing recipes and information about beef's nutritional benefits by participating in 17 radio interviews and 11 TV interviews. The campaign was supported by digital advertising efforts, which garnered more than 1.2 million impressions and 2,700 clicks to the May Beef Month recipes on our website. Watch for additional consumer promotions about Burger Week in Lexington and Louisville later this summer.

Winners of Beef Month Giveaway

Congratulations to Kristy Watkins of Lexington, Kentucky and  Mathew Jeffiers of Spencer County Kentucky (both pictured above)! They are  the winners of our Beef Month Ultimate Grilling Package! 

Each prize pack included  a portable grill from  The Holland Grill Company , YETI Roadie 20 Cooler, $250 of  Kroger  beef, half a case of  Ale-8-One Bottling Company , and grilling essentials from the Kentucky Beef Council.


FREE Beef Industry Workshop

We are offering our first professional development event at the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Office (176 Pasadena Drive Lexington KY 40503), July 13th (9am - 3pm).
 
The training will offer beef grade training, retail ID, advocacy training, current issues in the industry, and you will be trained to perform a cut demo that can be done in a classroom. There will be lots of information and tools you will leave with.
 
The event is no cost to you. Just your transportation here. We will be having lunch at one of our featured restaurants, as we will be celebrating Lexington Burger Week. Learning will continue at the venue, as we talk about beef's role in the food service industry.

If you are interested, please contact Niki Ellis by June 29th. Limited slots are available. 




KBC Introduces Summer Intern  

We would like to introduce our summer intern Kathryn Goodman! She grew up in Hardin County where her family raises and shows Hereford Cattle. Kathryn is also a student at Western Kentucky University studying Agbusiness. We are excited to have Kathryn on our team this summer and we are looking forward to a great summer promoting beef in Kentucky.

Happening at Eden Shale Farm

"In Early May we worked all the cows and calves at Eden Shale Farm. Working cattle is never an easy task. Seldom do things 'go right' and when you involve stubborn mama cows it can become down right challenging. Getting them out of the field and to the working facility is the first challenge. We walked the pairs down the road to the barn lot....."

Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs at the Farm

Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs, a television program that airs on several Kentucky stations, visited the farm to highlight  its new innovations and techniques and show how the work being done at  Eden Shale provides a direct benefit to Kentucky beef producers.

The segment will air on Saturday, 6/17 at 7pm on WAVE in Louisville. It will also air on  Monday, 6/19 at 7am and  Friday, 7/14 at 7am on  Fox-WBKO in Bowling Green. 

KJCA Activities
 

KJCA Leadership Camp - Kentucky's Great Commodities 

The KJCA Leadership Camp was held on June 9 and 10 in Lexington. The camp allows junior members to become better leaders and introduce them to different areas of the beef industry. Each year the camp has a different focus. This year the theme was Kentucky's Great Commodities, and the juniors were able to learn about other commodities in Kentucky outside of cattle.

On Day 1, they visited Four Hills Sheep Farm, Caverndale Seed Farm, and the Vista Brook Hog FarmOn Day 2, they were able to see a cria (baby alpaca) born during their tour of  River Hill Ranch ! They then finished the camp with a stop at Lexington Farmers Market. The Leadership Camp is sponsored by the Kentucky Cattlemen's Foundation. 


In the News




Hay Scam in Kentucky
Warning signs of a possible hay scam may include:
· The buyer refuses to speak by telephone;
· The buyer proposes to mail the seller a check in excess of the negotiated price, then asks the seller to mail the extra amount in cash back to the buyer; or
· The buyer is vague about transportation arrangements. 

 


3 Myths (and 1 Truth) About Grain-Fed Beef
While everyone has their preference between grass-fed, grain finished, orgainc beef, etc., it's easy to get confused with what they all mean. Below is an article that busts some common myths about grain fed beef as well as some truths you may not have known!



USDA Needs YOUR Help
The U.S. Department of Agriculture  wants to understand why farmers and ranchers do or do not respond to NASS surveys. They will use this information to help optimize survey response experiences. Complete their survey below.








 
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-Business Planning 101
-Succession Planning - For Next Gens Only!
-End of Year Policy Issues Update


 

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