2025 Kentucky Legislative Session Update for Kentucky Farmers

By Emily Spencer | Extension Associate
Published on May. 30, 2025

The 2025 session of the Kentucky General Assembly concluded on Friday, March 28th.  There were 533 Senate, and 907 House bills and resolutions introduced of which 50 Senate and 96 House bills became law. 

Crop Budgeting is Vital in our Current Farm Environment

By Jennifer Rogers | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on May. 30, 2025

There have been many conversations this spring surrounding crop projections and budgets.  With the fear of instability in the crop markets due to foreign trade policy and the continued high costs of inputs, the profit margin for most row crop enterprises seem tight.  These tight margins have emphasized the importance of projecting reve

Could Bourbon Help Kentucky Producers Survive Another Tradewar?

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor and Tyler Mark | Professor
Published on May. 30, 2025

International markets support U.S. agriculture, particularly in Kentucky, which benefits from its proximity to the Mississippi River, enabling quick and low-cost transportation to Louisiana ports.

Historical Review of “Government” Payments to Kentucky Farmers

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on May. 30, 2025

Currently, there are a plethora of policy actions being discussed in our nation’s capital affecting agriculture, ranging from the farm bill debate to tax policy modifications, and of course, the on-going trade policy developments.

How to Find an Agricultural Lawyer

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on May. 1, 2025

Navigating today’s legal landscape can be challenging for farmers and ranchers, especially when dealing with issues unique to agriculture. “How to Find an Agricultural Lawyer” is a concise, user-friendly resource created to help producers identify and connect with attorneys who have experience in agricultural law.

Into the Woods: The Tax Uncertainty of Carbon Contracts

By Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist and Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 30, 2025

As woodland landowners look for income diversification opportunities, they may explore the potential of carbon sequestration as a revenue stream, particularly the potential income from woodland carbon programs. The federal income tax implications of this type of income are still not fully addressed in current tax law.

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.

Key Legal Considerations for any Carbon-Related Agreement

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 1, 2025

The publication titled “Key Legal Considerations for Any Carbon-Related Agreement” offers practical, accessible guidance for agricultural producers who are exploring or entering carbon markets. The guide emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal and operational aspects of carbon-related contracts before signing.

U.S. Ag Trade Deficit Continues to Widen

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2025

The balance of trade, measured by the difference in a country’s value of exports versus the value of its imports, has received a lot of attention in recent months. While the overall U.S. economy has experienced negative annual trade balances for decades, U.S agriculture has historically recorded annual trade surpluses.

2024 Tax Deadlines for Kentucky Extended

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator and Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist
Published on Mar. 31, 2025

The deadline for filing many current Federal tax returns has been extended to November 3, 2025, for individuals and businesses in Kentucky. This comes as a result of a Federally declared disaster for the entire state.