Beef Expo sales exceed $900,000

Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles, 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. (Photo courtesy Tim Thornberry, Kentucky Farm Bureau)

36th annual beef showcase saw higher average sales over last year

FRANKFORT (March 10, 2022) - The 2022 Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo finished with more than $900,000 in total sales in the 36th edition of the event at the Kentucky Exposition Center during the first weekend of March.

Total sales in 2022 were $929,000 an increase of $155,410 compared to last year’s sales. In addition to total sales being up, the average sale also increased by $334 to $2,525 per lot, with 373 lots auctioned this year, 20 more than in 2021.

“Kentucky showcases the fact that it’s the largest beef cattle state east of the Mississippi River each year at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles said. “This year’s sales nearly reached the $1 million mark yet again, bringing sales close to what it was prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Average lot sales also increased, showing our agriculture producers’ resilience is allowing growth as we continue our recovery from pandemic hardships.”

Gelbvieh cattle brought an average of $3,769 per lot to lead all breeds. The sale topper was a $17,000 Simmental Grand Champion Female from Wayward Hill Farm out of Versailles, Ky. The Beef Expo welcomed 11 states and 11 breeds this year.

In the junior show, 400 cattle from 10 states passed through the show ring, including 232 from Kentucky. The judging contest attracted 137 participants.

The 2022 Beef Expo’s main sponsors were Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.