Pasture Finishing Worksheet for Beef Cattle

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2016

This spreadsheet has been created to help plan systems for finishing beef cattle and evaluate the potential profitability of various pasture-based production systems. The user inputs calving/weaning dates, weaning weight, gains during the year, and desired finish weight.

Flexible Cash Lease Decision-Aid

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Mar. 1, 2016

This spreadsheet is designed to assist the land owner and producer in deciding if a flexible cash lease can accommodate their situation. The user determines the expected flex rent based on a series of input questions and then compares it to a typical cash lease. The spreadsheet also estimates the gross profit per year based on this input.

Bred Heifer Profitability Estimation

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor, and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jan. 14, 2016

This spreadsheet is designed to evaluate the investment potential for bred heifers. The user estimates expected revenue based on a series of input questions as well as cow maintenance costs. The spreadsheet then estimates the gross profit per year based on this input.

Producer’s Guide to Pasture-Based Beef Finishing

Published on Nov. 1, 2015

Beef cattle were routinely finished locally in Kentucky and other parts of the upper south before the 1950s, primarily on pasture with some grain or by-products from distilleries and grain processing mills.

Grazing and Hay Cost Calculator

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Aug. 21, 2015

This budget tool has been constructed to estimate the grazing cost on a per cow per day basis, hay feeding costs on a per cow per day basis, the fertilizer value of feeding hay to a cow for a day, and the labor and machinery costs for grazing and hay feeding.  Author(s) Contact Information: 

Profitability of Nitrogen Applications for Stockpiling Tall Fescue Pastures – 2015 Guide

Published on Jul. 30, 2015

The winter of 2014-2015 will be remembered for a long time by cattle producers.  Multiple large snow storms and several rounds of extremely low temperatures created management challenges and led to increased hay feeding over the winter.

Fertilizer Price Calculator

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jul. 29, 2015

This decision tool has been created to aid producers in calculating the price of fertilizers. Author(s) Contact Information: 

Valuing Corn Silage for Beef Cattle Feed 2014 Guide

Published on Aug. 28, 2014

Corn silage has historically been an attractive alternative for livestock producers when grain prices are relatively low (pre-2006).  Corn prices have been extremely high in the last half-dozen years and as a consequence, provided fewer opportunities for profitably feeding silage for beef cattle.

2014 Farm Bill Summary

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 1, 2014

After several years of debate, extensions and much uncertainty the 2014 Farm Bill --- The Agricultural Act of 2014 was signed into law by President Obama on February 7, 2014 which establishes nutrition, commodity, crop insurance, conservation, and other ag/food programs for next five years (2014-2018).

Using the Futures Market to Predict Prices and Calculate Breakevens for Feeder Cattle

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Aug. 1, 2013

Futures markets are used by cattle producers in three ways.  First, the futures market is an excellent source of price information.  It responds very quickly to information that affects supply and demand in the marketplace and can be used as a rough gauge as to what is going on in these markets.