Communication in Stressful Times

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 25, 2020

2020 has been a stressful year. That sentence is a serious contender for Understatement of the Year. Pandemics, politics, and paradigm shifts have provided no shortage of stressful situations. Lives, families, jobs, schools, commerce, and social lives have all been disrupted.

Estimates of What it is Going to Cost Me to Destroy my "HOT" Hemp Crop

By Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist and Tyler Mark | Professor
Published on Nov. 25, 2020

We recognize that no one plants a crop with expectations of having to destroy the crop. However, the risk of producing a hemp crop that is non-compliant is a real risk and has a genuine cost associated. As hemp genetics evolve, the risk of destruction will dissipate.

Hired Farm Labor and the Role of Hispanic Workers

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

Family members provide about two-thirds of the workers on U.S. farms, but the remaining one-third consists of 1.18 million hired workers. While not an insignificant number, the 1.18 million farmworkers represent less than one percent of the total U.S. wage and salary workers.

U.S. Agriculture Flirting with an Annual Trade Deficit – First Time in 60 years?

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

Trade continues to be a hot discussion item, impacting ag markets and certainly being a part of the political debate heading into the November elections. We constantly hear about the relatively large trade deficit that the U.S.

Class I Pricing Continues to be a Major Challenge for Kentucky Dairy Producers

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

When it comes to dairy policy, the headliner from the 2018 farm bill was the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, which replaced the Margin Protection Program (MPP) from the 2014 farm bill. Another change got much less attention, but has turned out to be extremely impactful over the last several months.

Understanding Commodity Wages

By Kayla Brashears | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Oct. 29, 2020

When it comes to paying employees, agriculture producers have a unique flexibility in compensation options that is not available to all employers. Commodity wages are a way to compensate employees without the obligation of many payroll taxes.

Economics of Various Winter Wheat Management Strategies

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 28, 2020

Planting season is right around the corner for those in Kentucky growing winter wheat this year.  Are you thinking about adjusting management practices by increasing seeding rates or adding phosphorus in anticipation of increased yields?

Specialty Crop COVID-19 Response Project

By Emily Spencer | Extension Associate
Published on Sep. 28, 2020

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), along with the cooperating research team led by the University of Kentucky’s Dr. Tim Woods, Dr. Lilian Brislen, and Dr. Jairus Rossi, seeks to enrich existing efforts within local and regional food systems (LRFS) communities of practice who provide essential support to our nation’s producers.

Fall 2020 Wheat Planting Decision

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

Beautiful early-fall conditions are resulting in another early corn harvest this year, and Kentucky grain farmers will soon decide if and how much wheat they will plant this fall.  Compared to last year, there is a significant increase in wheat prices and a slight increase in soybean prices.  These changes will make planting wheat more attractiv

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (2.0)

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor and Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 23, 2020

USDA has announced a second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments for farmers impacted by COVID-19.