U.S. Beef Cow Inventory Continues to Decline

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 2, 2024

USDA-NASS released their January 2024 cattle inventory estimates on the afternoon of January 31st. Estimates came in pretty close to expectations and confirmed that the cowherd had continued getting smaller during the course of 2023. It was really a question of how much contraction had occurred.

5 Commandments for Bale Grazing in the East

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 30, 2024

Bale grazing in the eastern U.S. has its challenges compared to traditional, more Northern regions where the system is used. To be successful in areas with more moderate winters, you need to do a few things differently. In my experience, there are a number of fundamental concepts that need to be followed to make bale grazing work well here.

Kentucky’s Agricultural Districts Program

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Jan. 30, 2024

Someone asked about Agricultural Districts recently. It sounded like a farm tax program, but I had to admit that I knew nothing about them, and that I would look into it. 

Farm Bill Update – January 2024

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 30, 2024

Following the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill on September 30, 2023, Congress extended the 2018 Farm Bill late last year until September 30, 2024.

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.   

The Economic Value of Applying Broiler Litter in the Fall 2023

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 29, 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.