The Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced on May 11 that Commissioner Jonathan Shell signed a proclamation recognizing May as Kentucky Beef Month. The event brought together cattle producers and industry representatives to celebrate the contributions of beef farmers in the state.
This recognition highlights the significance of beef production to Kentucky’s agricultural economy. “Through the hard work of our cattle farmers, Kentucky retains its distinction as the state with the largest beef inventory east of the Mississippi River with 862,000 head,” Shell said. “I join Kentuckians in recognizing the effort, diligence, and perseverance of this important agricultural sector as we celebrate May as Kentucky Beef Month.”
Kelly Baird, Director of Communications and Events at the Kentucky Beef Council, said: “Behind every flavorful bite is a story of care and commitment. This May, we’re celebrating that delicious product and the people who bring it to our tables. What better way to celebrate our beef producers than behind the grill, explore recipes, cooking tips, and what raising beef looks like in Kentucky at kybeef.com.”
According to national statistics cited by Shell during his remarks, Kentucky ranks fourteenth nationally for total cattle inventory with 1.82 million head and tenth for beef cattle specifically. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports there are more than 31,000 beef cattle producers among over 69,000 farms statewide.
Recent data shows that all cattle inventory numbers in January 2026 are slightly down from last year due to factors such as low calf prices, high costs for farmers, and drought conditions across much of the country—a trend reflected nationwide with U.S. beef cattle reaching a multi-decade low in 2025.
Despite lower inventories creating tighter supplies nationally and locally, market demand has increased sale prices for farmers in Kentucky; cash receipts from sales reached $1.5 billion for cattle and calves in 2024—the highest among state commodities—and estimates predict overall agricultural receipts could reach a record $8.5 billion for 2026.
The top five counties for number of beef cattle are Barren, Pulaski, Madison, Breckinridge, and Warren counties.
The department provides resources across all counties in Kentucky through grants supporting county fairs and projects; it operates within facilities based in Frankfort; it functions under strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening agriculture statewide; it serves as an agency within Kentucky’s executive branch—according to the official website.
