Research
Research by Kentucky for Kentucky.
Researchers in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky conduct innovative applied research, foster long-lasting relationships with stakeholders, and prepare the next generation of agricultural economists. A skilled team of faculty, staff, and graduate students utilizes the latest research methods to address challenging disciplinary and interdisciplinary questions through a collegial environment that fosters creative and collaborative investigation of relevant issues impacting agriculture, the food sector, and rural communities locally, nationally, and internationally.
Our faculty, staff, and graduate students focus on three main areas of research:
Agricultural Marketing/Consumer Behavior
This area of research focuses on almost anything involved in moving agricultural products from the farm to the consumer, whether it be local or across international boundaries. Examples include research on commodity promotion, transportation, demand and price analysis, or how taxes affect consumer demand. In particular, we have extensive experience working on analysis of crop and livestock markets, local foods, and consumer demand for food and tobacco products.
Agricultural Production Economics
Research in this area explores issues such as optimal production management decisions, profit maximizing resource allocation, economic opportunities for alternative production practices, the promise of new technologies and management strategies, production risk management, and farm finance. Areas of noteworthy research accomplishment at UK include determining optimal adaptive farm management behavior using whole farm analytical programming models, assessment of precision agriculture opportunities for increased farm profitability and reduced risk, economics of biofuel feedstock production, suitable field day prediction, and analyzing the farm-level implications of alternative farm policy and crop insurance designs.
Regional Economics & Community Development
Development economics is about understanding the mechanisms that cause some communities to prosper, while not others. In this time of unprecedented movement of ideas, tastes, people, and products, finding how communities can harness these potential forces for growth is an important and major challenge.
Fostering Student Research.
Munib Inam Takes 3rd place
Graduate Student Munib Inam brought home 3rd place in the poster competition at the 2023 SAEA Annual Meeting poster competition.
Mason Hamilton @Beam Institute Industry Conference
Graduate Student Mason Hamilton presented his research and it's implications to the brewing and distilling industry at the 2023 James B. Beam Institute Conference.
Poster Presentations at SAEA Annual Meeting
Graduate Student Thomas Pierce presented his poster to attendees at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City.
Our Research in the News.
Study finds Americans value more options when it comes to COVID-19 testing
Shuoli Zhao, assistant professor in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, was a part of a national group of researchers studying American’s COVID-19 testing preferences based on method, location and financial incentives. They recently reported their findings in the American Journal of Health Promotion.
Read ArticleSurvey shows stability in horse ownership statistics
“The results from the 2021 AHP Equine Industry Survey reveal overall stability in the U.S. equine industry in spite of unique challenges posed by COVID-19,” said Jill Stowe, Ph.D., professor of agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky, who analyzed the data and consulted on the results.
Read Article
Connect with Us.
Ag Econ Insider E-newsletter
Keep up with recent graduates, student activities & clubs, departmental updates, extension programs, recent awards, and more in one short, easy read through our triannual e-newsletter.
SubscribeEconomic & Policy Update E-newsletter
Each month, extension faculty and staff collaborate on 3-5 short, timely articles in our Economic and Policy Update (EPU) e-newsletter. We also include new program and event announcements.
SubscribeContact Us
We are here to help. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. Faculty, staff, instructors, and graduate students have contact information available through the "Our People" page or connect with us on our socials.
Contact UsDepartment of Agricultural Economics
400 Charles E. Barnhart Building
Lexington, KY 40546-0276
@UKYAgEcon
