Valentine’s Day: One of a Flower Grower’s Favorite Holidays

By Savannah Columbia | Extension Associate
Published on Feb. 28, 2023

Valentine’s Day has topped its historical spending record for the second year in a row. Many consumers show love for their partners, family members, and even pets through gift-giving on Valentine’s Day. Popular gift items include candy or chocolate, flowers, greeting cards, jewelry, and/or dinner reservations.

Cow-Calf Profitability Estimates for 2022 and 2023 (Spring Calving Herd)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist, and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2023

The purpose of this article is to examine cow-calf profitability for a spring calving herd that sold weaned calves in the fall of 2022 and provide an estimate of profitability for the upcoming year, 2023.  Table 1 summarizes estimated costs for a well-managed spring-calving cowherd for 2022.  Every operation is different, so producers should eva

U.S. Beef Cow Herd at Lowest Level Since 1962

By Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 2, 2023

USDA-NASS released their January 1, 2023, cattle inventory estimates on the afternoon of January 31st. There was really no question that the beef cattle herd had gotten smaller; it was really just a question of how much smaller it had gotten.

Tobacco Update + Introducing a New Organization Supporting Tobacco Growers

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 30, 2023

The 2022-23 tobacco marketing season is beginning to wind down following challenging growing/curing conditions for the 2022 crop.  Buyers indicate that the subpar-quality crop turned out slightly better than expected.  Grower prices will end up higher, but profitability will be lower given lower yields and inflated input prices.  Consequently, a

Warm Welcome to Dr. Grant Gardner

Published on Jan. 30, 2023

Dr. Grant Gardner was born and raised on a corn and soybean operation in southwestern Indiana. He received his B.S. in Agribusiness from Purdue University in 2017. He subsequently received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kansas State University in 2019 and 2022, respectively.

Kentucky Sales Tax on Utilities

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Jan. 10, 2023

A legislative change was made to the qualifications for residential use exemption from sales tax on utilities. Effective January 1, 2023, the resident at a specific service address is responsible for declaring it as their place of domicile and the utility services exempt for residential use.

More with Less…. Really?

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 29, 2022

We’ve all heard it. Budgets are tight. Profits are down. Vacancies are not filled. People are laid off. So… those who are left have to do their own jobs… and the jobs of those who aren’t here… and we’re going to do MORE? REALLY?

Tax Management is Still Important – Even in a Down Year

By Jennifer Rogers | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Nov. 29, 2022

With farm production being down, compared to recent years, it may come as a surprise to many that tax management is still vitally important.  Kentucky producers were blessed in 2021 with record yields and good prices, resulting in high revenues.  While some of the 2021 revenue may have been recognized last year, many bushels of crops were held o

The Center for Crop Diversification: A Resource to Farm Market Vendors and Retail Markets

Published on Nov. 29, 2022

As the Kentucky produce season comes to an end, so does a summer staple: farm market spaces. Throughout Kentucky, there are more than 2,700 vendors who practice direct-to-consumer marketing, giving farm markets and retail stores extensive outreach to our communities. With this outreach comes a need for support for these agri-businesses.

The Auction Market for Kentucky’s Front Porch Staples: Mums and Pumpkins

By Savannah Columbia | Extension Associate
Published on Oct. 31, 2022

The current picture of fall in Kentucky can be painted with harvest underway and horses racing at Keeneland racetrack, while pumpkins and mums fill the front porches of homes across the Commonwealth. Mums and pumpkins are staples of the Autumn season in our state.