Capital Investment Analysis

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 29, 2023

Several years ago, a farmer I knew fairly well gave me a call. He was considering an investment in some new haying equipment and wanted to pick my brain, a task that usually doesn’t take very long. This is a good farmer. He grows high-yielding, high-quality crops and cattle.

The Corporate Transparency Act and its Potential Impact on Kentucky Businesses

By Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist
Published on Nov. 29, 2023

On January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) will go into effect, which has a potential impact on many of Kentucky's small businesses. This new law requires nearly all business entities to report their beneficial owners to the federal government.

Secrets of Successful Farm Managers

By Kayla Brashears | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Nov. 29, 2023

After spending over a decade analyzing a plethora of farm operations, I’ve learned a few things about what makes an operation successful. There isn’t a hidden formula anyone can follow to become successful, but there are best practices that operations can implement to position themselves favorably.   

Beef Enterprise Budgets

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor, and Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 1, 2023

This publication contains budgets for production of selected livestock enterprises in Kentucky. The purpose of these budgets is to serve as a management and decision-making guide for current and prospective producers of these enterprises. 

Kentucky Farm Observations From Across the State

Published on Oct. 30, 2023

The Kentucky Farm Business Management Program is a program of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky.

2023 Kentucky Vegetable & Fruit Input Costs: Changes and Trends

By Emily Spencer | Extension Associate and Tim Woods | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

Prices for many crop inputs have increased steadily since 2016. This report updates 2023 Kentucky price trends for key vegetable and fruit crop inputs: fuel and fertilizer, labor, plant protection products, and seed.

Mississippi River Level Impacts on Basis: 2022 Vs. 2023

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

In 2022 and 2023, the river levels on the Mississippi slowed barge freight and, thus, crop exports out of Kentucky. When river levels decline, barge transportation slows, which causes barge freight rates to increase.

What to Consider When Renting Out Your Farm

By Michael Forsythe | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

According to 2022 KFBM data, only 27% of land farmed by Kentucky farmers is owned by the farmer. The remaining 73% is typically comprised of landowners that may or may not have a background in farming.

Prospects for Winter Backgrounding 2023-2024

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

After several years of cattle selling at frustratingly low price levels, continued herd liquidation has led to tight supplies and much higher calf prices in 2023.  While markets have pulled back in recent weeks, calves and heavy feeders are moving at prices $50 to $70 per cwt above what was seen a year ago.

Fall 2023 Wheat Planting Decision

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 29, 2023

Corn harvest is now underway and Kentucky grain farmers will soon decide if and how much wheat they will plant this fall.  Compared to last year there are significant decreases in wheat and soybean prices, but also significant decreases in fertilizer and fuel prices.  The following analysis quantifies these relative changes to estimate the profi