Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, center, met with Kentucky Farm Bureau's executive team and breed representatives during the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo last week. The group makes up the Beef Expo Board. Each of the breed representatives received a check for premiums and awards. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture)
MARCH
2024 Beef Expo sales reach more than $800,000
38th annual beef showcase average sales increase over last year
FRANKFORT (March 6, 2024) - The 2024 Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo finished with more than $839,000 in total sales in the 38th edition of the event at the Kentucky Exposition Center during the first weekend of March.
Total sales in 2024 were $839,680 an increase of $58,270 compared to last year’s sales. In addition to total sales being up, the average sale also increased by $247 to $2,674 per lot, with 314 lots auctioned this year, 10 less than 2023.
“As the largest beef cattle state east of the Mississippi River, cattle is one of Kentucky’s top livestock and the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo is a place to showcase that,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “We were excited to see sales on an upswing over last year. Farming can be a tough business, but we see good things in our future.”
Angus cattle brought an average of $3,559 per lot to lead all breeds. The sale topper was a $14,500 Balancer Female from Pleasant Meadows Farm out of Glasgow, Ky. The Beef Expo welcomed 16 states, including Kentucky, and eight breeds this year.
In the junior show, 484 cattle from 15 states passed through the show ring, including 212 from Kentucky. The judging contest attracted 150 participants.
The 2024 Beef Expo’s main sponsors were Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.