Items: Livestock
Class I Pricing Continues to be a Major Challenge for Kentucky Dairy Producers
By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 29, 2020
When it comes to dairy policy, the headliner from the 2018 farm bill was the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, which replaced the Margin Protection Program (MPP) from the 2014 farm bill. Another change got much less attention, but has turned out to be extremely impactful over the last several months.
The Chicken or the Egg? The Untold Story during a Pandemic
By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Aug. 25, 2020
Most people are familiar with the age-old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg? During a nationwide pandemic, which left the grocery shelf first, the chicken or the egg? While consumers across the country began "panic buying" during the onset of COVID-19, all protein sources were limited. The food industry's just-in-time supply
Sacred Cows and Stocking Rates
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 28, 2020
In May 2019, I was on a farm visit east of Lexington with a few county agents and NRCS specialists. Our goal was to help a cattle farmer who had about five years of experience come up with a long-run plan for improved infrastructure (water, fencing, etc.) as well as guide him in the short-run to improve the profitability of the farm.
Cattle Markets Continue to Chase Stability
By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020
From my perspective, the headline for the cattle market would have to be about the ramp-up of slaughter. At its lowest point this spring, federally inspected cattle slaughter was running 35% below 2019 levels. Last week, federally inspected cattle slaughter was within 2% of 2019 levels and within 4% of the weekly peak in late March of this yea
Locally Produced Beef and Coronavirus Impacts
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020
The Coronavirus has had major impacts to the beef supply, as well as other meats in this country since mid-March. Short-term demand for beef has increased, but major bottlenecks in processing have limited supply and have generally had negative impacts on the conventional beef industry. Unlike the conventional beef segment, Kentucky beef produc
The History and Class Pricing of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders
Published on Sep. 1, 2017
The regulation of milk is an important part of the development of the milk industry and an understanding of the history of milk regulation is critical to understanding the pros and cons of the current industry. Additionally, to understand milk pricing it is important to understand the history of the federal milk marketing orders.
The Unique Qualities of the Southern Milk Marketing Orders
Published on Sep. 1, 2017
Milk is a heavily regulated commodity, and therefore there are a large number of rules that pertain to its production and processing. These regulations are enforced within regional boundaries called federal milk marketing orders.
Pastured Based Laying Hens Decision Aid
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jun. 10, 2017
Purpose: This decision tool was developed to assist current and potential producers with estimating their costs and returns for a small scale layer enterprise.
Small Scale Broiler Production Decision Aid
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jun. 4, 2017
Purpose: This decision tool was developed to assist current and potential producers with estimating their costs and returns for a small scale broiler enterprise. Options Evaluated: The management style options are broken down into two categories: stationary and mobile housing.