Kentucky Beef Network

05/29/2026

If you are a beef farmer in Kentucky please try to take this survey and share it as well. Deadline is July 7th.

Beef Producers: Your Input Matters!
The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is seeking beef cow-calf producers to participate in a Fescue Toxicosis Survey.
Your feedback will help researchers better understand how fescue toxicosis impacts herds and develop practical mitigation strategies for producers across the region.
✅ Who should participate: Beef cow-calf producers
📅 Deadline: July 7, 2026
👉 Take the survey here:
https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5c0vzWqgxHX88Wq
📌 You can also scan the QR code in the flyer to get started!
Please share to help reach more producers!

05/28/2026

Drought Update 5/28/2026 from Kentucky Mesonet

05/28/2026

Technology is changing the future of the beef industry.
Dr. Dale Woerner shares what improvements may be coming to predicting red meat yield — and how better data and innovation can help producers, processors, and consumers alike.

The future of beef starts with better understanding every animal from pasture to plate.

05/26/2026

Join us for a day filled with electricity! For fences, I mean. Our Electric Fencing School is a great program for electric fence beginners.

05/26/2026

Looking for a smarter way to manage flies and cattle pests this season? The VetPestX Tool is a tremendous resource for producers to identify insecticide ear tags, dusts, feed-throughs, pour-ons, sprays, and premise treatments — all organized by mode of action (MOA) group. Rotating MOA groups is key to slowing resistance and keeping products effective year after year. A great tool to help make informed pest management decisions on your operation.

A pest management and education resource for animal owners and producers, extension agents, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and the public.

05/23/2026

Many Kentucky counties are experiencing some level of drought.

What this means for producers:
If you have experienced grazing losses due to drought, you may qualify for financial assistance through LFP. This program supports eligible livestock producers who rely on grazed forage acres.

Eligible livestock may include:
Cattle (beef & dairy), goats, sheep, horses, deer, elk, bison, llamas, alpacas, and more—provided they were grazing eligible pastureland during the normal grazing period.

Important:
Losses must occur on land located in a county experiencing qualifying drought conditions.

Livestock Forage Disaster Program fact sheet: https://www.usda.gov/guidance-documents/livestock/fsa/livestock-forage-disaster-program-lfp

➡️ Visit: https://www.farmers.gov
➡️ Find your local FSA office: https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator

If you have questions, please contact your local Farm Service Agency office.

05/22/2026

Another Beef Cattle Workshop is right around the corner. The next one will be held at the KSU research farm and cover a variety of topics.

Dr. Abigail Hines (KSU): Pasture Management & Nutrition
Dr. Sarah Carr (KSU): Reproduction Considerations
Dr. Marcelo Zimmer (UK): W**d Control

Kentucky State University – Beef Cattle Workshop Series
Join us for a series of informative beef cattle workshops featuring specialists from Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky.
🕕 All events start at 6:00 PM
🍽 Meal Provided
📍 Location: 1525 Mills Lane, Frankfort, KY

🌱 Workshop Dates & Topics
📅 March 18

Dr. Jeffrey Lehmkuhler (UK): Adding Value to Calf Crops
Dr. Kenny Burdine (UK): Spring Markets and Management Strategies

📅 May 27

Dr. Abigail Hines (KSU): Pasture Management & Nutrition
Dr. Sarah Carr (KSU): Reproduction Considerations
Dr. Marcelo Zimmer (UK): W**d Control

📅 July 22

Tim Dietrich (Marketing Specialist): Selecting Cattle
Dr. Gregg Rentfrow (UK): Meat Cuts

📅 September 23

Dr. Les Anderson (UK): Breeding
Dr. Darrell Bullock (UK): Selecting a Bull

05/21/2026

Did you know the U.S. Drought Monitor releases updated maps every Thursday showing counties currently being affected by drought? The USDM is an online, weekly map showing the location, extent, and severity of drought across the United States. It categorizes the entire country as being in one of six levels of drought. The map is released on Thursdays and depicts conditions for the week.

US Drought Monitor for Kentucky
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?KY

05/21/2026

Spring processing season is here!
A few small details can make a big difference in calf health, beef quality, and overall herd performance. This article from BEEF Magazine shares 10 practical reminders rooted in Beef Quality Assurance principles from proper injection sites to vaccine handling and record keeping.

Follow 10 simple reminders and BQA principles for all treatments.

05/20/2026

Don’t forget about upcoming FSA reporting deadlines. While nothing is currently in place, with many areas experiencing a dry grazing season, now is a good time to make sure your records are up to date and ready if future assistance programs become available.

A few reminders for producers:

• Report hay and pasture acreage before the July 15 deadline to avoid late filing penalties
• Keep current livestock inventory records beginning Jan. 1, 2026
• Track purchases, sales, births, deaths, and animal categories (adult, bulls, calves, replacements, etc.)
• Review farm records, maps, and eligibility paperwork with your local FSA office

Having your records organized now can make participation much easier if opportunities arise in the future.

The July 15 deadline also applies to forage acres, row crops, vegetables, and most fruit crops.

Schedule your appointment with your FSA Office today: https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator