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.

Butterfat Continues to be a Major Driver of Milk Value

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 29, 2024

Kentucky dairy producers are ultimately paid based on the amount of skim milk and butterfat they produce. Needless to say, these two values greatly impact returns for dairy operations and the impact of butterfat has gotten larger over time.

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.

Maximizing Value: 2024 Spring Application of Broiler Litter for Grain Crop Production

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 28, 2024

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.

The Ag Census Confirms Geographic and Commodity Shifts in the Kentucky Farm Economy

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 28, 2024

The twenty-year time frame between the latest USDA Ag Census (2022) released earlier this year and the 2002 Ag Census occurred during a period of dramatic changes in Kentucky agriculture.  During this two-decade period, the tobacco buyout was passed (in 2004) and implemented (2005-2014), the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board made sign

Stocker Outlook for 2024

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 28, 2024

Temperatures are getting warmer, the grass is getting greener, and the calf market is starting to take off.  These are tell-tale signs of spring in Kentucky, and we are experiencing all three.

Dark Fired Wrapper Tobacco Budget | 2024

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 1, 2024

Revised March 2024.  Author(s) Contact Information:  Alan B. Halloway | University of Tennessee Mitchell Richmond | University of Tennessee Andy Bailey | University of Kentucky

Dark Air Wrapper Tobacco Budget | 2024

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 1, 2024

Revised March 2024.  Author(s) Contact Information:  Alan B. Halloway | University of Tennessee Mitchell Richmond | University of Tennessee Andy Bailey | University of Kentucky

Old Crop Balance Sheets and New Crop Projections: What would it take to get $6.00 Corn and $14.00 Soybeans?

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2024

The first projections for the 2024/25 crop year were released on February 15th at the Ag Outlook Forum (AOF). These estimates indicate a more bearish situation in the 2024/25 marketing year than we are currently experiencing in 2023/24. As we came out of COVID/Russia-Ukraine-induced highs, prices have fallen rapidly.