Kentucky beef producers interested in current market trends, management practices and ways to make calves more marketable will want to attend the Kentucky Beef Conference, Oct. 23. The one-day event at the Fayette County Cooperative Extension office aims to teach producers how to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture will host the conference, which will focus on existing marketing trends in the beef industry, managing higher feed costs and current market volatility. Producers will have the opportunity to hear from top speakers in the country, thanks to corporate and industry sponsors.

Speakers this year include Lance Zimmerman, analyst for Cattle-FAX, who will discuss the current beef cattle situation and provide 2012 marketing strategies. Les Anderson, UK beef extension specialist, will lead a session about the reproductive implications of the 2012 drought. UK agricultural economist Kenny Burdine will talk about the economics of heifer development, and UK beef extension specialist Jeff Lehmkuhler will offer penny-pinching strategies producers can use when dealing with high feed prices.

Conference sponsors include the Kentucky Beef Network, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Central Kentucky Ag Credit, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Services and Kentucky Bank.

The conference begins with registration at 9 a.m. EDT and concludes at 3 p.m.

Registration is $10 and includes lunch and refreshments.

Preregistration is encouraged. To preregister, interested people should contact their local agricultural and natural resources extension agent by Oct. 19.

The Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service is located off Red Mile Road between South Broadway and Versailles Road at 1140 Red Mile Place. For more detailed directions, contact the office at 859-257-5582.