Average KFBM Net Farm Income Dips Negative for the First Time in Decades

By Kayla Brashears | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Jul. 30, 2025

For the first time since the 1980s, the average Net Farm Income (NFI) among Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) cooperators has fallen below zero, closing the production year at an average of ($20,522). This dramatic shift is a sharp reversal from the record high NFI in 2021 of $871,325.

“Farm Bill” Components Finally Reach the Finish Line

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 30, 2025

After more than three years of debate and two annual extensions, earlier this month, several components of the traditional farm bill that address commodity and risk management programs finally became law as part of a budget reconciliation bill better known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Bale Graze Your Way Through a Drought

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 30, 2025

DROUGHT can be a debilitating experience for any farmer but is particularly difficult for livestock farmers. Last year was an especially bad drought year in much of the eastern United States, and it was devastating in some areas such as West Virginia and southeast Ohio.

2022-2025: Price Trends of Three Spring Crops at Kentucky Farmers Markets

By Brett Wolff | Extension Specialist
Published on Jul. 28, 2025

I am a 2025 Center for Crop Diversification Summer Fellow, and this research is supported by the Kentucky Horticulture Council’s Student Research Grant Program and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.

Andrea Cooksey: Student Spotlight

Published on Jul. 16, 2025

Andrea has recently completed her freshman year at the University of Kentucky in the Agricultural Economics department, where she has already begun to make her mark. She has shared valuable insights, experiences, and advice for future students, reflecting both her passion and perspective.

Risk Management for Carbon Programs: Questions Every Farmer and Rancher Should Ask

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 1, 2025

The publication titled “Risk Management for Carbon Programs: Questions Every Farmer and Rancher Should Ask” is a practical and timely resource designed to help agricultural producers navigate the uncertainties associated with participating in carbon markets.

Know Your Ratios

By Kara Schlinke | KFBM Extension Associate Senior
Published on Jun. 30, 2025

Farming is more than planting, growing, and harvesting—it’s running a business. And like any business, understanding your financial health is crucial for long-term success. That’s where financial ratios come in. Think of them as vital signs for your farm’s finances.

New Report by the Milken Institute: A Blueprint for Employer-led Food as Health Strategies

By Savannah Columbia | Extension Associate
Published on Jun. 30, 2025

As Food as Medicine (also known as Food is Medicine) campaigns increase in popularity, employers recognize the ability to leverage food to create healthier and happier employees. Employees are looking for benefits beyond healthcare coverage.

Taxation of Timber Sales After a Casualty Event: A High-Level (Canopy) Discussion

By Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist
Published on Jun. 30, 2025

Kentucky has faced several natural disasters already in 2025, and for many timberland owners, it is a question of where to start regarding salvaging and selling timber. Trying to understand the tax implications of timber damaged or lost due to storms can feel as overwhelming as the tangled mess left behind by a tornado.

Could Bourbon Help Kentucky Producers Survive Another Tradewar?

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor and Tyler Mark | Professor
Published on May. 30, 2025

International markets support U.S. agriculture, particularly in Kentucky, which benefits from its proximity to the Mississippi River, enabling quick and low-cost transportation to Louisiana ports.