As we celebrate Dairy Month in June, with having recognized our beef cattle producers last month, it is no secret how strong Kentucky’s livestock sector is and how involved Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) is in various projects and programs related to the industry.

Historically, Kentucky farm families have always been involved at some level with livestock, especially cattle.  I remember growing up on the farm, we, along with what seemed to be every other farm family, had at least a few cows grazing in the fields.

While that is still true for many of our farms, we have seen the state’s cattle industry become one of the strongest in the country over the past two decades. We proudly lay claim to being the largest beef cattle-producing state east of the Mississippi, top 10 in the nation.

We’ve got over 31,000 cattle farms in Kentucky, with an estimated 1,850,000 total cattle and calves, 869,000 beef cows, and 41,000 dairy cows.

And while any of us in the cattle industry knows our herd numbers need to grow, I do think that we are experiencing the strongest cattle market I’ve ever seen.

From an organizational standpoint, KFB had a seat representing not only Kentucky, but the Southeast Region at the Common Ground Summit hosted by the Livestock Marketing Association. This brought producers to the table in these times of high prices to collaborate on opportunities to make cattle production profitable and sustainable both now and if prices dropped in the future. 

As a way to keep our cattle producers well-informed, KFB’s “Kentucky Cattle Market Report” comes out weekly to keep producers up to date on statewide trends in the Kentucky cash market for both regular and value-added calves.

There are always going to be times when life on the farm is difficult. With such diverse operations, we know when one sector is down, we have others that prop up our operations. Right now, that is our cattle sector.

Cattle prices are at historic high numbers with no major downside in sight, given trade and import ramifications with our southern border and demand far exceeding domestic supply. That certainly bodes well for our bottom lines.

Another big advantage we have in Kentucky is the strong network of livestock organizations that work tirelessly to promote and protect their individual sectors while working together for the betterment of Kentucky agriculture as a whole.

The ag industry is one of a cyclical nature, and while we would like to see all ag sectors remain well above the profitability line, let's take advantage of the market opportunities when they present themselves and patiently make our way through other market and weather challenges.

Whatever cards we are dealt on the farm, one thing is for certain: we can always celebrate our livestock industry every month.