Beef Bash 2022 Highlights Resiliency And Rebuilding From Kentucky Tornado

 By Aimee Nielson

Still recovering from the December 2021 tornadoes, Beef Bash 2022 will take place at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center in Princeton Oct. 20.

“We felt it was important to continue the Beef Bash tradition in person and move forward with the program at the UKREC,” said Katie VanValin, beef specialist for the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, stationed at the UKREC. “We are looking forward to this opportunity to fellowship with those in the Kentucky beef industry and talk about the challenges and learning experiences we have had recovering and rebuilding from a natural disaster.”

Beef Bash is a unique, hands-on field day for Kentucky beef cattle producers of all experience levels. The event began in 2010 as a way for UK and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association to give producers the most current information about beef cattle.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. CST, and the program will begin at 9 a.m. CST. Beef Bash will offer demonstrations, commercial vendors and educational exhibits, including updates on tornado recovery and rebuilding the UKREC and the beef unit as well as research updates from UK faculty and extension specialists.

“Historically, the beef unit at Princeton has been a critical component of CAFE’s beef cattle extension and research programs, and we are excited to share our vision for its future operation and contributions,” said James Matthews, UK CAFE associate dean for research and professor of animal and food sciences.

The event is free, and attendees may purchase lunch onsite. Vendors may contact VanValin to register.

The UKREC address is 348 University Drive, Princeton, Kentucky 42445. Signs will direct attendees to the beef unit. For more information, contact VanValin at 859-562-1361 or via email at Katie.VanValin@uky.edu . Organizers also encourage students interested in agriculture or beef industry careers to attend.