The Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo will mark its silver anniversary during the 2011 edition of the annual shows and sales March 4-5 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

“The beef expo is a great opportunity for producers to see some of the best beef cattle in the country in one location,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Last year’s expo attracted 220 consignors from 16 states, and we expect just as many or more this year.”

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture works closely with the beef expo board in promoting, advertising and coordinating the event. KDA staff will help conduct the shows and sales.

Shows commence with Angus and Red Angus at 10 a.m. Friday, March 4 and continue through Saturday, March 5. All sales are scheduled for March 5.

Other expo activities include a Junior Jackpot Steer, Heifer and Market Heifer Show, a youth judging contest for 4-H and FFA members, and a trade show.

In the 2010 Beef Expo, 502 lots brought a total of $729,615, an average of $1,453 per head. The Junior Jackpot Steer, Heifer and Market Heifer Show featured 329 heifers, 151 steers and 27 market heifers last year. Nearly a third (159) of the 507 animals featured in last year’s junior show were from Kentucky.

Besides the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Farm Bureau, the expo’s other major co-sponsors include the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Farm Credit, Burkmann Feeds, Merial and Nutrena.

For more information about the 25th annual beef expo, visit www.kybeefexpo.com.