One of the most important decisions in a cattle operation is choosing a bull for the herd. It can affect a producer’s operation and bottom line for many years. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is launching a new program to help producers make the best, educated decision about herd genetics.

The Bull Value Assessment Program will be a two-session event that will take place in five locations across Kentucky.

“We wanted to spread it out to make it accessible to producers around the state,” said Ben Crites, Beef Integrated Resource Management coordinator for the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “We are looking forward to helping producers learn and deepen their knowledge of all the factors that go into choosing a bull that will be best for their enterprise.”

In Western Kentucky, sessions are Oct. 9 and 16 at the Hopkins County Extension office. In Central Kentucky, sessions are Oct. 11 and 18 at the Madison County Extension office. In Southern Kentucky, sessions are Oct. 22 and 29 at the Barren County Extension office. In Northern Kentucky, sessions are Oct. 23 and 30 at the Shelby County Extension office, and in Eastern Kentucky, sessions are Nov. 1 and 8 at the Fleming County Extension office.

Producers will learn how to understand and use expected progeny differences and how to match genetics to management and environment. Other topics include bull breeding soundness exams, proper bull nutrition and health, selection tools and selection decisions for different marketing operations.

The first session at each location is for classroom education and the second session is a mock auction. Participants must attend both sessions. Cost is $25 per person and each location has a limit of 50 attendees, so preregistration is required. All programs begin at 6 p.m. local time.

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/university-of-kentucky-cooperative-extension-16891600267. For more information, visit Kentucky Beef IRM on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KyBeefIRM.

The program has several sponsors including the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, the Kentucky Beef Network and Kentucky Beef IRM.