FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo surpassed $1 million in sales for the second consecutive year in its 27th annual edition March 1-3, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer announced.

 

“Most of the top-selling cattle were sold by Kentucky consignors. That says cattle buyers all over the country recognize the quality of Kentucky cattle,” said Commissioner Comer, a beef cattle producer from Monroe County. “Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture have worked hard to make the Beef Expo one of the leading sources of breeding stock in the United States, and our efforts are paying off.”

Gross sales totaled $1,083,150, up 2 percent from the 2012 Beef Expo. Average per head was $2,360, an increase of 7.7 percent from last year’s event. A total of 201 consignors from 19 states sold 459 animals.

Three lots — all from Kentucky consignors — attracted bids of more than $10,000:

·         The grand champion Hereford bull, consigned by Matheny Herefords of Mays Lick, which was the sale topper at $11,500;

·         The grand champion Simmental female, consigned by Welsh Simmentals of Glasgow, which drew a bid of $10,200; and

·         An Angus cow and calf consigned by Sheldon Burks of Park City, which went to two Kentucky buyers for a total of $10,100.

Forty-five Angus lots averaged $3,618 per head to lead all breeds. Simmentals averaged $3,239 for 63 lots.

Youth exhibitors showed 500 animals in the Junior Show, up from 477 in 2012. Kentucky cattle in the Junior Show totaled 169, 31 more than the previous year. Commissioner Comer attributed the increase in Kentucky cattle to the Kentucky Proud Livestock Tag Program, which makes exhibitors eligible for additional premiums for showing Kentucky livestock. For more information about the Kentucky Proud Livestock Tag Program, go to www.kyagr.com/marketing/ky-proud-tag.html.

Source: Press release courtesy of KDA