Kentucky Declares May as Official Beef Month Celebration

By Blake Jackson

Kentucky cattle producers and industry representatives joined Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell on Monday for the signing of a proclamation declaring May as Kentucky Beef Month.

“With 869,000 head of beef cattle in the Commonwealth, Kentucky remains the state with the largest beef inventory east of the Mississippi River,” Commissioner Shell said. “We retain that title with the hard work of our cattle farmers. I ask that Kentuckians join me in recognizing their effort, diligence, and perseverance as we celebrate May as Kentucky Beef Month.”

The United States is the world's leading beef producer, specializing in high-quality, grain-fed beef. Kentucky is a major player, ranking 14th nationally in total cattle inventory and 8th in beef cattle.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that Kentucky has 31,060 beef cattle producers out of the state's 69,400 total farms.

“May is Beef Month a time to honor the hardworking Kentucky beef producers dedicated to bringing high-quality beef to your table,” said Kelly Baird, Kentucky Beef Council Director of Communications and Events. “During May and throughout the entire year we celebrate Kentucky farm families and the vital role they play in ensuring a safe, sustainable, and nutritious food supply. Through every challenge, our beef producers work tirelessly to support our communities, our economy, and our Commonwealth.”

However, January 2025 data shows a 2% decrease in all cattle inventory compared to 2024, with beef cattle numbers experiencing a larger decline. The U.S. beef cattle reached a 64-year low in 2025. Factors such as low calf prices, high production costs, and nationwide drought have contributed to this decline.

Despite the reduced cattle numbers, market demand has increased, driving up sale prices for farmers. This tight national cattle supply and higher market prices are expected to boost agricultural receipts for the state.

In 2024, gross receipts from cattle production exceeded $1 billion, placing it among Kentucky's top five commodities.

It is predicted that Kentucky's strong livestock sector will help keep overall cash receipts above $8 billion for 2025, approaching the record high of $8.3 billion in 2023.

The top five Kentucky counties for beef cattle numbers are Barren, Pulaski, Madison, Breckinridge, and Bourbon.

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