Sacred Cows and Stocking Rates

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

In May 2019, I was on a farm visit east of Lexington with a few county agents and NRCS specialists.  Our goal was to help a cattle farmer who had about five years of experience come up with a long-run plan for improved infrastructure (water, fencing, etc.) as well as guide him in the short-run to improve the profitability of the farm. 

Be Proactive Rather than Reactive in Hard Financial Times

By Tarrah Hardin | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

When facing hard financial times, like the ones we are currently facing, it is very easy to sit back and let the cards fall and hope that they are in your favor. This approach is very risky and most of the time will not end the favor of the one being reactive to the situation.

Forestry Update Amidst COVID and Trade Disruptions

Published on Jul. 28, 2020

It is difficult to determine how much of the hardwood log and lumber pricing decline is related to the COVID situation or even the trade war with China.

Updates to the PPP Loan Program

Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered through the Small Business Association (SBA) continues to evolve and there are some noteworthy updates that have occurred during the past few weeks. As you may recall, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was signed into law on June 5th.

COVID-19 and Food Price Inflation

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The media has provided a lot of news stories of late on the impact of COVID-19 on the prices we are paying for food. A major disruption in our food supply chain coupled with an initial surge of panic buying by consumers would suggest that food prices would increase. But how much extra are we paying to feed our families?

Workforce Planning in the Time of COVID

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The pandemic has disrupted almost every phase of our lives. One of the most visible has been the workplace. Layoffs, furloughs, shutdowns, working remotely, social distancing and public health considerations have permanently changed the way we work.

Locally Produced Beef and Coronavirus Impacts

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The Coronavirus has had major impacts to the beef supply, as well as other meats in this country since mid-March.  Short-term demand for beef has increased, but major bottlenecks in processing have limited supply and have generally had negative impacts on the conventional beef industry.  Unlike the conventional beef segment, Kentucky beef produc

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

Kentucky Specialty Crop Impacts of COVID-19

Published on May. 27, 2020

It has been comforting and exciting to see the resiliency shown by Kentucky specialty crop producers this spring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, unlike other states, all specialty crop operations were considered essential businesses and therefore able to continue to provide valuable products and services to consumers.

PPP Loan Forgiveness

By Jennifer Rogers | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on May. 27, 2020

Several weeks ago, Congress passed the CARES Act, which included legislation to provide loans to small businesses.  One of the loans administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA) became commonly referred to as PPP loans, or Paycheck Protection Program.  According to the SBA, the PPP loan “is designed to provide a direct incentive