Custom Machinery Rates Applicable to Kentucky (2024)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 17, 2024

These custom rates are based on reported surveys in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kansas. The rates calculated here are averages for these states and are adjusted to account for changes in fuel price, machinery costs1, and wages2 from the time of the reported surveys.

Hay Production Cost Increases in 2022 and Management Implications

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 29, 2022

Costs for hay production have skyrocketed in 2022.  Fertilizer is driving the bulk of the overall increase, followed by fuel, and then general cost increases for other categories (what could be considered “general inflation”).  While we can debate the exact causes of all these increases (i.e.

Fall 2020 Wheat Planting Decision

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

Beautiful early-fall conditions are resulting in another early corn harvest this year, and Kentucky grain farmers will soon decide if and how much wheat they will plant this fall.  Compared to last year, there is a significant increase in wheat prices and a slight increase in soybean prices.  These changes will make planting wheat more attractiv

Kentucky ANR Agent Land Value and Cash Rent Survey (2018)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Feb. 1, 2018

In 2018 Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) agents were surveyed to estimate land values and rental rates for various types of farmland.  A total of 70 ANR agents completed this survey out of 120 counties, representing approximately 60% of the state total.

Days Suitable for Fieldwork in Kentucky

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor and Tyler Mark | Professor
Published on Sep. 1, 2017

Weather risk plays a unique role and influences many decisions made on the farm. Weather determines when you can get into the field and your ability to perform timely operations such as planting, fertilizing, spraying, and harvesting. Delays from weather events of time-sensitive operations will result in substantial yield and economic losses.

Economic Value of Poultry Litter Tool: Pasture, Hay, and Silage

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Aug. 15, 2016

This decision tool has been created to help producers determine the economic value of poultry litter. The tool is customizable to reflect each individuals situation when selling, purchasing, and/or applying poultry litter.

Grazing and Hay Cost Calculator

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Aug. 21, 2015

This budget tool has been constructed to estimate the grazing cost on a per cow per day basis, hay feeding costs on a per cow per day basis, the fertilizer value of feeding hay to a cow for a day, and the labor and machinery costs for grazing and hay feeding.  Author(s) Contact Information: 

Profitability of Nitrogen Applications for Stockpiling Tall Fescue Pastures – 2015 Guide

Published on Jul. 30, 2015

The winter of 2014-2015 will be remembered for a long time by cattle producers.  Multiple large snow storms and several rounds of extremely low temperatures created management challenges and led to increased hay feeding over the winter.

Fertilizer Price Calculator

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jul. 29, 2015

This decision tool has been created to aid producers in calculating the price of fertilizers. Author(s) Contact Information: 

Valuing Corn Silage for Beef Cattle Feed 2014 Guide

Published on Aug. 28, 2014

Corn silage has historically been an attractive alternative for livestock producers when grain prices are relatively low (pre-2006).  Corn prices have been extremely high in the last half-dozen years and as a consequence, provided fewer opportunities for profitably feeding silage for beef cattle.