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

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Update

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor and Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on May. 27, 2020

USDA has announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)  designed to compensate farmers who have suffered losses due to COVID-19.

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.

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.

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.

Using Futures Markets to Manage Price Risk for Feeder Cattle: Advanced Strategies

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 1, 2013

Price volatility in feeder cattle markets has greatly increased over the last several years.  While there are many reasons for the increase in price volatility, some of the more common factors include volatility in grain and fed cattle prices, variability in weather, and an increased dependence on exports.

Using Futures Markets to Manage Price Risk for Feeder Cattle

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 1, 2013

Price volatility in feeder cattle markets has greatly increased since 2007.  While there are many reasons for the increase in price volatility, some of the more common factors include volatility in grain and fed cattle prices, variability in weather, and an increased dependence on exports.

Hay/Forage Budget

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 1, 2006

Included in this publication is an Alfalfa Hay budget, a Grass / Mixed Hay budget, a basic pasture maintenance budget, and an E+ Fescue Replacement budget.

Equine Enterprise Budgets

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor and Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 1, 2006

This publication contains budgets for production of selected equine enterprises in Kentucky. The purpose of these budgets is to serve as a management and decision-making guide for current and prospective horse owners. These budgets are not intended to replace an owner's own records and estimates.