Crop Insurance as a Tool for Managing Farm Risk

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

Crop insurance was authorized by Congress in the 1930s on an experimental basis to insure against crop loss from “unavoidable perils beyond the farmer's control.” It was made permanent with the passage of the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1980.

Produce Auctions Have Seen Higher Prices Amid COVID-19 Challenges

By Brett Wolff | Extension Specialist and Tim Woods | Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

Like all agricultural businesses operating in the midst of the challenges posed by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, produce auctions have had to make some adaptations to comply with social distancing and other recommendations and mandates.

Forestry Update Amidst COVID and Trade Disruptions

Published on Jul. 28, 2020

It is difficult to determine how much of the hardwood log and lumber pricing decline is related to the COVID situation or even the trade war with China.

Sacred Cows and Stocking Rates

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

In May 2019, I was on a farm visit east of Lexington with a few county agents and NRCS specialists.  Our goal was to help a cattle farmer who had about five years of experience come up with a long-run plan for improved infrastructure (water, fencing, etc.) as well as guide him in the short-run to improve the profitability of the farm. 

Be Proactive Rather than Reactive in Hard Financial Times

By Tarrah Hardin | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

When facing hard financial times, like the ones we are currently facing, it is very easy to sit back and let the cards fall and hope that they are in your favor. This approach is very risky and most of the time will not end the favor of the one being reactive to the situation.

Forestry Update Amidst COVID and Trade Disruptions

Published on Jul. 28, 2020

It is difficult to determine how much of the hardwood log and lumber pricing decline is related to the COVID situation or even the trade war with China.

COVID-19 and Food Price Inflation

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The media has provided a lot of news stories of late on the impact of COVID-19 on the prices we are paying for food. A major disruption in our food supply chain coupled with an initial surge of panic buying by consumers would suggest that food prices would increase. But how much extra are we paying to feed our families?

Workforce Planning in the Time of COVID

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The pandemic has disrupted almost every phase of our lives. One of the most visible has been the workplace. Layoffs, furloughs, shutdowns, working remotely, social distancing and public health considerations have permanently changed the way we work.

Locally Produced Beef and Coronavirus Impacts

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The Coronavirus has had major impacts to the beef supply, as well as other meats in this country since mid-March.  Short-term demand for beef has increased, but major bottlenecks in processing have limited supply and have generally had negative impacts on the conventional beef industry.  Unlike the conventional beef segment, Kentucky beef produc

Cattle Markets Continue to Chase Stability

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

From my perspective, the headline for the cattle market would have to be about the ramp-up of slaughter.  At its lowest point this spring, federally inspected cattle slaughter was running 35% below 2019 levels.  Last week, federally inspected cattle slaughter was within 2% of 2019 levels and within 4% of the weekly peak in late March of this yea