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Kentucky, with
its ever-increasing interest in purebred livestock, offers purebred cattle
breeders one of the most unique and effective state-supported promotional
events ever developed- the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo. This year marks the 22nd
Annual Expo, which is held the first Saturday weekend in
March, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
This may only be the 22nd
year of the expo, but looking back at previous years, it is found the
Kentucky Beef Expo has much more history than its state supported start
in 1987.
Originally
the Expo began as Kentucky Angus Sweepstakes in 1947. Several
breeders decided to come together in one location and promote the Angus
breed of beef cattle. The Sweepstakes began as a two-day event,
with bulls showing and selling on the first day and heifers on the
second, and attracted well over 100 head of Registered Angus. Shorthorn
and Polled Hereford breeds, about 12 years later, started their own
two-day separate sales on consecutive weekends following the Kentucky
Angus Sweepstakes at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.
A few years later the Continental influence was introduced, thus
creating more breeds and opportunities for purebred sales. It was
then decided for all breeds to combine, which would also help reduce
consignor’s cost, and originate the Kentucky Beef Expo in 1987.
To make the expo a smooth functioning event, a Kentucky Beef Expo Board
was formed with 2 representatives from each breed, 2 representatives
from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and 1 representative from
the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association. It was then determined
the expo would continue to be held each year at the Kentucky Fair and
Exposition Center due to the top quality facility for conducting
livestock shows and sales.
Currently, there are 11 breed shows and sales including Angus, Beefalo, Charolais, Chiangus, Limousin, Polled Hereford, Red Angus,
Red Poll, Salers, Shorthorn and Simmental. Many excellent cow
families have been developed over the history of the Kentucky Beef Expo.
These genetics have proved themselves not only in the pastures but also the
show ring. Many donor cows and herd bulls have been purchased from the
Kentucky Beef Expo. In addition to the 12 halter breed shows and sales
mentioned above, nine years ago the Kentucky Beef Expo
began the All Breeds Pen Heifer Show and Sale. The Pen Heifer Show
and Sale offers beef cattle producers the opportunity to market they’re
registered and commercial cattle in (non-haltered) pens of two or three
head.
One aspect, which sets the Kentucky
Farm Bureau Expo apart from any other Beef
Expo, is the involvement of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and
the Kentucky Legislature by KRS 302 KAR 15-030. For each breed
show and sale $4,000, from KRS 302 KAR 15-030, is given to each breed
for premiums. The $4,000 is then matched by each breed, in the form of
entry fees, with a total of $8,000 in premiums awarded for each breed show.
Another $2,000 is dispersed to each breed for reimbursement advertising cost
and other catalog preparation. Providing financial assistance for a
show and sale of each of the major beef breeds, the Commonwealth is making
known its interest in the beef cattle industry as well as its importance to
the state and nation. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture also
works closely with the Kentucky Beef Expo Board in promoting, advertising,
and coordinating the event. Without the strong support of the state
and dedicated Board Members, the Kentucky Beef Expo would not be a
continuing success as it has over the past 21 years.
For any
occasion to be a continuing success it must grow in order to keep the
buyer, seller, and spectator interested and coming back for more.
The Kentucky Beef Expo has done just that over the past several years.
The Expo has offered more excitement, variety, and educational
activities for anyone who attends. These activities include a
Cattle Judging Contest for 4-H/FFA members, Trade Show and Junior Jackpot Steer and Heifer Show. Since the
origination of the Kentucky Beef Expo this has been whole intent--offer
more variety and a bigger more exciting expo for both the buyer and the
seller while showcasing Kentucky Beef Cattle and allowing buyers to shop
around and compare breeds along with prices.
With the success of the Beef Expo,
it takes continued support from sponsors to ensure this to be a successful
event. In 2007, the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation became the exclusive
sponsor for the Beef Expo. With history in the making, this event became
the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo. As you can see, this event has
developed into something that all cattle producers in Kentucky can be proud
of. We welcome Kentucky Farm Bureau has our corporate sponsor!
Instead of
the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo being a plain old ordinary show, it is now an
exhilarating event, where buyers and sellers of purebred livestock find
the Bluegrass State a congenial atmosphere in which to meet and market
purebred livestock! |
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