Kentucky Department of Agriculture

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky National Dairy Show and Sale will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the 2012 edition April 13-14 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

In 1963, George Buchanan, then the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s director of shows and fairs, created the event to encourage Kentucky dairy breeders to buy and sell animals. The event was intended to promote and support the dairy industry in Kentucky and on a global scale. It has succeeded over the past five decades by attracting high-profile animals from breeders across the nation, including a number of national champions that have crossed the auction block.

“The quality of Kentucky dairy cattle is as strong as ever,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. “This event provides an opportunity for dairy cattle producers from all over the United States to showcase their genetics and gives buyers a chance to purchase from some of the best cow families in the business.”

The two-day event is free and open to the public. Five breeds will be shown and sold: Ayrshire, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, and Milking Shorthorn.

“There's no denying that times in the dairy industry have drastically changed since 1963,” said Katherine Wheatley, dairy coordinator in the KDA’s Division of Show and Fair Promotion. “This time-honored tradition will not only feature some top consignments in the industry but will also showcase and remember those great cow and farm families that have been involved since its inception. … The support and passion shown by our consignors and buyers over the last 50 years is truly remarkable.”

The Jersey Journal magazine, the official publication of the American Jersey Cattle Association, wrote: “This event has created a strong tradition and each year is known to bring in large crowds of buyers and consignors alike that are anxious to be a part of the excellence.”

The Department of Agriculture matches the five Kentucky cattle breed clubs’ contributions up to $4,000 for premiums and $2,000 for advertising.

Alta Mae Core of Salvisa, Ky., who owns and operates Keightley and Core Jerseys with her husband, Jeff, has participated in the Kentucky National Dairy Show and Sale since its inception, when she showed Jersey cattle as a young girl.

“Through the hard work and dedication of many dairy industry legends and the generations that have followed, the Kentucky National Show and Sale has more than served its original purpose while continuing to be a tremendous asset to the Kentucky Jersey Cattle Club,” Core said.

The Kentucky Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Judging School is at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 12, the day before the Kentucky National Show and Sale.
The Kentucky National will commemorate its 50th anniversary at a dinner April 13 at 7 p.m. in the exposition center’s pavilion.

“We look forward to fellowship with friends at the 50th celebration banquet,” Commissioner Comer said. “Dairy families from the past, present, and future will attend the event to honor the great people and cows associated with the Kentucky National over the past 50 years.

“I can assure you the staff at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture will work hard to make this Kentucky National Dairy Show and Sale the best one yet!”

For more information, go to the Kentucky National page on the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's website.