Price Risk Management Tools for Cattle Producers

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 28, 2022

The last few years are unlikely to be remembered fondly by many cattle producers. Large cattle supplies, a global pandemic, weather challenges, and a sharp increase in feed prices have all impacted feeder cattle values. However, 2022 has brought optimism for a significantly better cattle market.

Demand for Certified Kitchen Use Nationally and in Kentucky

By Camille Stevens | Extension Associate
Published on Jan. 28, 2022

Many Certified Kitchens saw a shock to their system and a halting of kitchen rentals and revenue as COVID-19 made its impact.

The Dairy Gauge Benchmarking Tool

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Jan. 28, 2022

Benchmarking compares your farm’s performance to past performance or to established measures of success. The benchmark is some measure of a goal, or a range of what is desirable and what is not. You do this all the time, comparing this year’s yields to past years or this cow’s performance to others in the herd.

Inflation – “Good” or “Bad” for Agricultural Producers and Consumers?

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 28, 2022

Inflation has been headline news for several months and certainly an issue impacting all businesses, industries, and all of us as consumers.  

Update on Agriculture Exemption Number for Sales Tax Exemption on Farm Purchases

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Jan. 28, 2022

The application deadline for farms with existing Exemption Certificates on file with farm suppliers was January 1, 2022. Applications are still being accepted for existing farms.

Building a Farm Balance Sheet

By Kayla Brashears | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Nov. 23, 2021

As December 31 approaches, producers should work towards developing a quality balance sheet. Doing so is critical to measure business growth year over year, liquidity, solvency, and borrowing power.

Opportunity or Obligation

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 23, 2021

Baby Boomers are in the process of transitioning trillions of dollars of assets to Millennials and Gen Zers. This includes farming Baby Boomers. USDA’s Farmland Ownership and Tenure survey indicates that about ten percent of farm assets transition to new owners every five years.

The Economic Value of Applying Broiler Litter in the Fall | 2021

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 23, 2021

Spring application of broiler litter is ideal for maximizing the economic value but faces challenges that include wet soil conditions, lack of time to spread litter near planting, and availability of litter in the spring.

Family Living Expenses on Kentucky Farms

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 28, 2021

There is likely no single item in a farm business cash flow with more uncertainty and more variability than “family living expense.” Farm income and expense items are measured pretty accurately because they will be needed for tax reporting and for borrowing eligibility…two pretty good reasons.

Bookkeeping Tips for Multi-entity Operations

By Suzy Martin | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Oct. 28, 2021

There are multiple reasons a farming operation might separate its business into multiple entities.  It might be for transition and estate purposes, liability reasons, tax issues, etc.  Ideally, these kinds of decisions involve input from everyone that is part of the “team.” Meaning owners, the attorney, tax advisor, management, lender, heirs, et