KFBM Spring 2025 Observations

Published on Apr. 30, 2025

The Kentucky Farm Business Management Program is a program of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky.

ARC-PLC Decision Tool Instructions and Example

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 27, 2025

There are a few possible decision tools that can be used for the ARC-PLC choice for 2025.  My recommendation is to use the tool developed by Univ.

The Economic Value of Applying Broiler Litter in the Fall 2024

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 25, 2024

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.

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.

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.

Maximizing Value: 2023 Spring Application of Broiler Litter for Grain Crop Production

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 30, 2023

Spring is here and grain producers across the state are gearing up for planting.  One of the many decisions producers have to make before planting is in regard to their nutrient management plan.  Broiler litter provides a great opportunity as a complete fertilizer and is being produced and used throughout the state in grain production.  However,

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.

Maximizing Value: 2022 Spring Application of Broiler Litter for Grain Crop Production

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2022

Spring is here and grain producers across the state are gearing up for planting.  One of the many decisions producers have to make before planting is in regard to their nutrient management plan.  Broiler litter provides a great opportunity as a complete fertilizer and is being produced and used throughout the state in grain production.  However,

The Economic Value of Applying Broiler Litter in the Fall | 2021

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 23, 2021

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.

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