Resources Available to Farmers Struggling with Farm Financial Stress

By Alison Davis | Extension Professor, Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator, Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist, Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor, Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor, Sarah Bowker | Blueprint Kentucky Managing Director, and Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 1, 2019

Farmers have been facing many financial stress issues related to commodity prices and the overall farm economy.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill)

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 1, 2019

The 2018 Farm Bill was passed by Congress and signed by the President last month. In reality, the structure of the 2018 Farm Bill is not much different than the previous farm bill (2014) with crop insurance, Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) remaining the main safety net components for program crops.

Post-Harvest Management: The Economics of Grain Drying

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 1, 2018

Kentucky has over 200 million bushels of on-farm grain storage capacity as of 2016. Since 2002, total on-farm grain storage capacity has increased each year (USDA-NASS, 2017). As a producer evaluates there storage capabilities and post-harvest management strategy, investing in a new grain drying system may be a part of that evaluation.

Economic Costs for Baling Wheat Straw

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 1, 2018

This decision tool has been created to assist producers in calculating costs based on owning the equipment or custom hire rates. It is assumed that the baling operation follows the combine during (or soon after) the harvesting of wheat for grain.  Author(s) Contact Information: 

Kentucky ANR Agent Land Value and Cash Rent Survey (2018)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Feb. 1, 2018

In 2018 Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) agents were surveyed to estimate land values and rental rates for various types of farmland.  A total of 70 ANR agents completed this survey out of 120 counties, representing approximately 60% of the state total.

Surviving the Farm Economy Downturn

Published on Dec. 1, 2017

This collection of papers is the result of efforts by a group of Extension economists across the South.  The genesis for these educational programs began where all good extension education programs begin: the needs of farmers and ranchers in the region.  Booms and busts in the agricultural economy are not new.

The Unique Qualities of the Southern Milk Marketing Orders

Published on Sep. 1, 2017

Milk is a heavily regulated commodity, and therefore there are a large number of rules that pertain to its production and processing. These regulations are enforced within regional boundaries called federal milk marketing orders.

Days Suitable for Fieldwork in Kentucky

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor and Tyler Mark | Professor
Published on Sep. 1, 2017

Weather risk plays a unique role and influences many decisions made on the farm. Weather determines when you can get into the field and your ability to perform timely operations such as planting, fertilizing, spraying, and harvesting. Delays from weather events of time-sensitive operations will result in substantial yield and economic losses.

The History and Class Pricing of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders

Published on Sep. 1, 2017

The regulation of milk is an important part of the development of the milk industry and an understanding of the history of milk regulation is critical to understanding the pros and cons of the current industry. Additionally, to understand milk pricing it is important to understand the history of the federal milk marketing orders.

Pastured Based Laying Hens Decision Aid

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jun. 10, 2017

Purpose: This decision tool was developed to assist current and potential producers with estimating their costs and returns for a small scale layer enterprise.