2021 Tobacco Budgets

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 25, 2021

The 2021 burley and dark tobacco budgets can be accessed at https://agecon.ca.uky.edu/budgets#Tobacco. These budgets are developed by Alan Galloway, University of Tennessee (UT), Bob Pearce, Andy Bailey, and Will Snell, from the University of Kentucky (UK).  

ARC-PLC Farm Bill Decision 2021

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 25, 2021

Starting in 2018, grain farmers have had the ability to decide on a yearly basis between the ARC and PLC Farm Bill programs.  The decision needs to be made for each base-acre crop type (corn, soybeans, wheat) on each FSA farm.  You can choose PLC for one crop type, and ARC for another crop type on the same farm.

Liquidation of the U.S. Beef Herd Continues, but at a Slower Pace than Expected

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 2, 2021

USDA-NASS released their January 1, 2021 cattle inventory estimates on the afternoon of Friday, January 29th. The U.S. beef cow herd was estimated to be down by 0.6%, which was a smaller decrease than most had expected.

Continued Declines in Hemp Profitability Mixed with Marginal Profit Potential for 2021

By Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist and Tyler Mark | Professor
Published on Jan. 28, 2021

According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky started 2020 with 32,000 approved acres of hemp.

ARC vs PLC – The Basics

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 28, 2021

The 2014 Farm Bill developed two programs to provide income support for specified row crops.  -- the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.  These risk management programs were reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill with slight modifications and remain in effect for the 2019-2023 crop years.

More Government Money on the Way for Kentucky Farmers

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 28, 2021

The latest COVID-19 stimulus package (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021) contains more funding for U.S. agriculture. Last year, U.S. farmers received an estimated $46 billion of direct federal funding, accounting for nearly 40% of projected U.S.

Paycheck Protection Program Update

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Jan. 20, 2021

The Economic Aid Act reauthorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through March 31 and made several modifications beneficial to farmers. It also authorizes second draw PPP loans. The application deadline has been extended to May 31.

Additional CFAP Funding Announced

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor and Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 19, 2021

USDA announced on this past Friday that additional Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments (labeled CFAP 2.1) will be made for certain producers using leftover funds from the first two rounds of CFAP.

Cantaloupe, Watermelon, and Pumpkin Market Trends for Kentucky

By Savannah Columbia | Extension Associate and Tim Woods | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 6, 2021

Cantaloupe, watermelons and pumpkins have been important crops for Kentucky, especially moving through the auctions.  These commodities clicked on all cylinders during 2020 in the context of the pandemic.  Some of the opportunities related to strong short-term prices associated with the strong demand for local products.  Good growing conditions

The Economic Value of Applying Broiler Litter in the Fall

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 25, 2020

Spring application of broiler litter is ideal for maximizing the economic value, but faces challenges that include wet soil conditions, lack of time to spread litter near planting, and availability of litter in the spring.