May 2017 - Vol. 5  Issue 5 
The official newsletter of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Kentucky Beef Council and the Kentucky Beef Network.
Features

Commissioner Quarles praises end of Chinese beef import embargo     

On Thursday, May 11, the Trump Administration announced that China has decided to end its embargo on beef imports from the United States. Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles applauded the announcement saying, "The end of this embargo will re-open a large market for Kentucky beef producers that has long been closed."

"We are very pleased with the announcement that an agreement has been made to restore trade with China," said Chuck Crutcher, president of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. "The benefits of this agreement will be very positive for our producers."



Governor Bevin Declares May as Beef Month   

In late April, representatives from the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association and the Kentucky Beef Council joined  Governor Matt Bevin  and Agriculture  Commissioner Ryan Quarles on the Capitol Lawn in Frankfort to declare May as Beef Month in Kentucky! An assortment of burgers and kebabs were grilled for government officials and staff.  Join us in celebrating one of Kentucky's greatest traditions - beef - by grilling up your favorite steak or burger throughout the month of May. You can watch a video of the proclamation  at the link below or click the icon above. 



Applications Open for 2018 KCA 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.


Animal Shelter Assistance Grant

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 June 16th to be considered. Follow the link below for more info on guidelines and eligibility. 



Follow KCA Twitter for Policy Updates 

Our Facebook is awesome at sharing beef industry news and KCA events, but did you know KCA has a Twitter account too?  If you want to stay up-to-date with legislative and policy news, follow @KYCattle on Twitter today! Click the link below to visit the KCA Twitter page. 









Complete the MBA Program
and  Win Beef Billboard

To celebrate May as Beef Month, we are giving away a "In Kentucky, Beef Is Still What's For Dinner" billboard (pictured above) to anyone who completes the Masters of Beef Advocacy 2.0 program before  May 31st The course takes less than an HOUR to complete and is designed to equip beef producers and industry allies with the information they need to be everyday advocates for the beef industry. Complete the program at the link below. You can email Niki Ellis, nellis@kycattle.org , for more info.



Checkin' On the Checkoff


Beef Month Sweepstakes   

May is here, which means it is officially BEEF month! To celebrate, we are giving away TWO Ultimate Grilling Prize Packs, complete with 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. Like the KBC Facebook page and enter our sweepstakes for your chance to win! 



Happening at Eden Shale Farm
Field Day Turnout and Follow Up Information

55 producers came out for the second Fence Line Feeding System field day at Eden Shale Farm on May 9. Watch the Eden Shale blog for handouts and wrap up information on feeder performance, cattle preferences and hay feeding data if you weren't able to make it.

What's That Weed Wednesday Resource

If you follow the Eden Shale Farm Facebook page, you have probably seen our new series, What's That Weed Wednesday, where we we share common weeds and problem plants  here i n Kentucky and how to manage them. All the posted weeds have now been compiled into an online resources on the Eden Shale website. You can visit the resource below. 

Junior and Young Producer Activities
Register for KJCA Leadership Camp

Applications are now available for the sixth annual KJCA Leadership Camp! The theme this year is Kentucky's great commodities. The schedule is still being perfected, but you can reserve your spot by sending in your application today!  The camp will be June 9-10, held in Lexington. This two day camp was developed to help the junior members become better leaders and introduce them to different areas of the beef industry. The camp is open to 25 students ages 13-21.  Deadline for registration is May 26th

YPC Field Day in Pulaski County

The Young Producers Council held a Field Day in Pulaski County on May 6th. The day's activities include a tour of  Gatormade Trailers manufacturing facility in Somerset, a tour of  Summit Meat Processing at Science Hill and wrapped up with a tour of  Ard Ridge Cattle Company in Nancy. For more info on how to get involved in YPC activities you can contact  Dan Miller at dmiller@kycattle.org or 859-278-0899. You can also follow to YPC Facebook page for news and updates. 



In the News




Hay Scam Alert
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) would like to warn Texans and surrounding states about a scam being run against individuals who have hay for sale. 

Read the full press release here.  
 




Feedyards Scramble To Recover From Blizzard
Feedyards on the High Plains are scrambling to recover from a massive snow storm that blanketed western Kansas, eastern Colorado and stretched from the Panhandle of Texas to Nebraska. Death losses will number in the thousands at feedyards and to pasture cattle, many of which were displaced by the storm.



KY Beef on WKYT News
Agriculture  Commissioner Ryan Quarles and KBC Director of Consumer Affairs Kiah Twisselman appeared on  WKYT  News on May 10 to talk about Beef Month and the important role the beef industry plays in Kentucky

 



NCBA Visits Kentucky
The NCBA's Environmental Stewardship Advisory Group was out in Kentucky learning about a few great operations. They toured Eden Shale Farm, as well as one of the 2015 regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners, Sherwood Acres Beef.

Cattlemen's Webinar Series 
Register for the upcoming webinar: Business Planning 101 on Tuesday, May 23! Davon Cook of Ag Progress will discuss different types of business planning, ranging from strategic to tactical and more!



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