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.

Where Is the Base? Farm Bill Enhancements Could Be Negligible Without a Base Acre Update

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 31, 2024

The current farm safety net can be found in Title 1 of the farm bill, a piece of omnibus legislation

Fall 2024 Wheat Planting Decision

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 27, 2024

Corn harvest is now underway and Kentucky grain farmers will soon decide if and how much wheat they will plant this fall.  Compared to last year there is a drop in both soybean and wheat prices, a drop in fuel price, and mostly stable fertilizer prices.

To Store or Not to Store? Old Crop Exit Strategies

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Aug. 29, 2024

The June Grain Stocks report indicated 37% more corn and 44% more soybeans stored on-farm than last year, indicating that many producers still have grain in storage (Maples, 2024). Some of this stock has likely been sold, but many producers are still sitting on old crops, trying to determine whether to hold through harvest or sell.

Drivers of Commodity Prices: Seasonality

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 27, 2024

Since the onset of COVID, agricultural commodity charts have resembled the track of a roller coaster, with huge peaks and valleys. During the 2023/24 marketing year, commodity prices have transitioned downward. We can likely expect less volatile commodity prices as prices level out.

ADM Requirements to Comply with New EU Regulation Impacting Kentucky Soybean Producers

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor and Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on May. 24, 2024

Starting December 24, 2024, the European Union (EU) will require all imported soybeans to be deforestation-free. The policy aims to prevent deforestation and promote sustainable agriculture practices. Consequently, soybeans destined for the EU market must be traceable back to specific fields where they are grown.

Drivers of Commodity Prices: Exports

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 29, 2024

Since the onset of COVID, agricultural commodity charts have resembled the track of a roller coaster, with huge peaks and valleys. Global geopolitical events and conflict intensify these peaks and valleys. During the 2023/24 marketing year, commodity prices have transitioned downward.

Spring 2024 Farm Observations Across Kentucky

Published on Apr. 29, 2024

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

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.

Corn and Soybean Budgets | 2024 Western Kentucky

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2024

Purpose: This Decision Aid has been constructed to help producers budget for corn and soybean production. Machinery Options Evaluated: No-Till Corn, Conventional Tillage Corn, No-Till Soybeans