Kentucky Cattlemen's Association

Kentucky Beef Network, LLC

The Kentucky Beef Network, LLC was developed to coordinate statewide cattle programs and to enhance producer profitability through education, management, and marketing.  Its plan was developed through countless county and regional producer meetings and in conjunction with other agricultural organizations with an interest in improving the Commonwealth's cattle industry, including the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, UK Cooperative Extension Service, regional universities, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association, and the Kentucky Forage and Grasslands Council.

The Primary objective of KBN is to enhance net returns to cattle producers through increased marketing

opportunities, data management, education, and comprehensive farm management systems.

Kentucy Beef Network Field Associates

 KBN Programs

EDUCATION

Beef Quality Assurance(BQA) 

A program designed to train people involved in the cattle industry the proper and most effective ways to manage and handle cattle. Any person can become certified by attending a training program, passing a post-test and completing the training checklist and certification form. Certification must be renewed every three years.

Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium

KBN sponsors 3-5 Kentucky youth to attend the NYBLS held at the University of Nebraska. The symposium is designed to introduce youth to career opportunities, current issues in the beef industry, as well as offer education and practice in the use of leadership skills.

Master Stocker Program

The Master Stocker Program is an educational program that is open for any beef producer who is involved or interested in stocker cattle. The program includes eight classroom sessions and one field trip. Aspects covered will improve the understanding of best management recommendations for stocker and backgrounding operations.

MARKETING

Kentucky CPH-45

• CPH-45--Certified Pre-conditioned for health and backgrounded for 45 days
• CPH is probably the best example of the integration of the many agricultural development projects and cattle programs across the state.
• To qualify, cattle must be trained to eat from a bunk, drink from a trough, and meet specific vaccine requirements.
• Learn more at www.CPH45.com

Ultrasound Program

Designed as an effort to assess the quality of KY Feeder calves, the ultrasound program provides farmers with fast, beneficial data to make management and marketing decisions. Since correlations between ultrasound measurements and carcass characteristics are moderate to high, scanning feeder calves allows producers to predict USDA quality and yield grades.

MAG-60 (Management and Genetics for 60 days)

The program will provide cost-share to beef producers to synchronize the estrus cycle in their beef females for timed insemination to reduce labor costs associated with artificial insemination (AI).  Females will be inseminated to a small, select group of sires that are proven in their ability to sire productive, profitable calves. Calves from this program will be managed through a rigid program that includes pre-conditioning, age/source verification and more. The calves will also be marketed through several MAG-60 opportunities. Learn more by clicking the MAG-60 tab or clicking here!

Other KBN sponsored programs:

KY FarmStart- Beginning Farmer Program

KBN is Kentucky's representative to the Southeastern Livestock Network

Counties in red are those in which at least one producer has participated in a KBN sponsored program, as of 2009.