Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor

Items by Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor

Stocker Outlook for 2026

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2026

While the feeder cattle market is down from recent highs in February, it remains at historically strong levels. As we write this in late March, calf prices in the Commonwealth are running over $1 per pound higher than the same time last year.

Grain Profitability Outlook 2026

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Although grain prices have come down considerably from their highs a few years ago, they have either stabilized or increased slightly in the last year. Current 2026 new-crop Futures prices are around $4.60/bu for corn, $11.20/bu for soybeans (2/17/26). Compared to a year ago, this is a similar price for corn and $.60/bu increase for so

Cow-Calf Profitability Estimates for 2025 and 2026 (Spring Calving Herd)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist, and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 27, 2026

The purpose of this article is to examine cow-calf profitability for a spring calving herd that sold weaned calves in the fall of 2025 and provide an estimate of profitability for the upcoming year, 2026. Table 1 summarizes estimated costs for a well-managed spring-calving cowherd for 2025. Every operation is different, so producers s

2025 Overview & 2026 Economic Outlook for Kentucky Agriculture

2025 Overview

Prospects for Winter Backgrounding 2025-2026

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 31, 2025

Tight supplies and strong demand pushed cattle prices to unprecedented levels in 2025. As we write this in early October, calf prices are running over $1 per lb higher than fall of 2025 and heavy feeders are substantially higher as well. Feed prices have remained relatively low, which continues to impact cost of gain in cattle growing programs.

Fall 2025 Wheat Planting Decision

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 28, 2025

Corn harvest is 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 slight drop in both soybean and wheat prices, stable fuel prices, and a slight increase in fertilizer prices.

Bale Graze Your Way Through a Drought

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 30, 2025

DROUGHT can be a debilitating experience for any farmer but is particularly difficult for livestock farmers. Last year was an especially bad drought year in much of the eastern United States, and it was devastating in some areas such as West Virginia and southeast Ohio.

Stocker Outlook for 2025

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2025

The cattle market has been on a tear since early 2023 with feeder cattle prices at levels not seen before. As we write this in mid-March, calf prices in the Commonwealth are running about $30-$40 per cwt higher than the same time last year and $60-$70 per cwt higher than last year’s fall lows.

Corn and Soybean Budgets | 2025 Central Kentucky

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 24, 2025

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

Corn and Soybean Budgets | 2025 Advanced Options