Mississippi River Level Impacts on Basis: 2022 Vs. 2023

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

In 2022 and 2023, the river levels on the Mississippi slowed barge freight and, thus, crop exports out of Kentucky. When river levels decline, barge transportation slows, which causes barge freight rates to increase.

What to Consider When Renting Out Your Farm

By Michael Forsythe | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

According to 2022 KFBM data, only 27% of land farmed by Kentucky farmers is owned by the farmer. The remaining 73% is typically comprised of landowners that may or may not have a background in farming.

Prospects for Winter Backgrounding 2023-2024

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

After several years of cattle selling at frustratingly low price levels, continued herd liquidation has led to tight supplies and much higher calf prices in 2023.  While markets have pulled back in recent weeks, calves and heavy feeders are moving at prices $50 to $70 per cwt above what was seen a year ago.

Kentucky Farm Observations From Across the State

Published on Oct. 30, 2023

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

Southern Ag Today: A Resource for Farmers and Policymakers in The Southern Region

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 29, 2023

The Department of Agricultural Economics here at UK is proud to be a part of Southern Ag Today.

Fall 2023 Wheat Planting Decision

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 29, 2023

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 are significant decreases in wheat and soybean prices, but also significant decreases in fertilizer and fuel prices.  The following analysis quantifies these relative changes to estimate

Depreciation Changes 2023

By Suzy Martin | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Sep. 29, 2023

It is important to understand the challenges facing tax preparers when it comes to accelerated depreciation and equipment purchases with trade-ins. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed in 2018 had three significant changes to capital purchases and trade-ins.

2023 Farmland Values

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 8, 2023

Each August the USDA releases the results of their survey of farmland values. The survey includes data from approximately 9,000 tracts of land of about one square mile each across the continental United States.

What Do Higher Profit Farms in Kentucky Have in Common?

By Lauren Omer Turley | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Aug. 29, 2023

In today’s farming culture, the farm is run just as a business.  It is important for producers to make progress and always look for ways to improve the operation.  The goal of most producers is to be at the top of the profitability curve in order to stay competitive.  In Kentucky, we have had a record three-year period from 2020 t

Interest Rates and Grain Storage

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Aug. 29, 2023

For the 2023/24 marketing year, higher interest rates will negatively impact producers' costs for holding grain in storage, especially for producers utilizing operating loans.