Items by Will Snell | Extension Professor
The Farm Economy Begins 2026 with a lot of Concern and Uncertainty
By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 28, 2026
This past year brought about a lot of challenges to the farm economy which certainly has been the focus of attention this past month at ag trade shows/conventions across Kentucky as well as nationally. While beef farmers are coming off a year of continuing tight supplies and strong consumer beef demand leading to record high farm-level pri
2025 Overview & 2026 Economic Outlook for Kentucky Agriculture
By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor,
Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor,
Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator,
Jill Stowe | Professor,
Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor,
Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor,
Tim Woods | Extension Professor,
and Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Dec. 29, 2025
2025 Overview
Food Price Inflation Lingers
By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 21, 2025
Food price inflation continues to be headline news. Following a sustained period of minimal food price increases (averaging 1.3%) during the 2015-2019 period, annual food price inflation in the United States spiked at 10% in 2022 in response to a wide variety of factors including fallout from Covid-19 supply chain interruptions, military c
“Farm Bill” Components Finally Reach the Finish Line
By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 30, 2025
After more than three years of debate and two annual extensions, earlier this month, several components of the traditional farm bill that address commodity and risk management programs finally became law as part of a budget reconciliation bill better known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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.
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.
Dark Air Cured Tobacco Budget | 2025
By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 24, 2025
Revised March 2025. Author(s) Contact Information: Tori Griffin | University of Tennessee Mitchell Richmond | University of Tennessee Andy Bailey | University of Kentucky
Burley Tobacco Budget | 2025
By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 24, 2025
Revised March 2025. Author(s) Contact Information: Tori Griffin | University of Tennessee Mitchell Richmond | University of Tennessee Andy Bailey | University of Kentucky
Dark Fired Tobacco Budget | 2025
By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 24, 2025
Revised March 2025. Author(s) Contact Information: Tori Griffin | University of Tennessee Mitchell Richmond | University of Tennessee Andy Bailey | University of Kentucky
ARC vs PLC Decision for 2025
By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor and Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 27, 2025
Slumping row crop prices have induced greater attention among grain farmers regarding farm bill safety net programs.