While it's true Kentucky beef producers have enjoyed higher prices in the past couple of years, feed costs have soared leaving producers wondering what the future holds. The Kentucky Beef Conference, Oct. 26 at the Fayette County Cooperative Extension office, aims to teach producers how to plan today for tomorrow's markets.

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture will host the conference, which will focus on current marketing trends in the beef industry and show producers how they can manage higher feed costs and the 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 Randy Blach, executive vice president of Cattle-FAX, Darrell Busby, retired extension beef specialist for Iowa State University, and Michelle Bilderback, UK ruminant extension veterinarian. Blach will give a marketing overview and long-term marketing trends as well as marketing strategies for 2011. Busby will discuss value-added marketing for Kentucky cattle. Bilderback will address health, management and nutrition practices for today's market.

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 at 9 a.m. EDT with registration 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.

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.