Drivers of Commodity Prices: Seasonality

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 27, 2024

Since the onset of COVID, agricultural commodity charts have resembled the track of a roller coaster, with huge peaks and valleys. During the 2023/24 marketing year, commodity prices have transitioned downward. We can likely expect less volatile commodity prices as prices level out.

Farmers Market Prices: Trends From This Season

Published on Jun. 27, 2024

In a previous Economic and Policy Update article, "Price Dynamics at Kentucky Farmers Markets, 2021-2023

ADM Requirements to Comply with New EU Regulation Impacting Kentucky Soybean Producers

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor and Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on May. 24, 2024

Starting December 24, 2024, the European Union (EU) will require all imported soybeans to be deforestation-free. The policy aims to prevent deforestation and promote sustainable agriculture practices. Consequently, soybeans destined for the EU market must be traceable back to specific fields where they are grown.

Interest Rates and Refinancing

By Jennifer Rogers | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on May. 24, 2024

It is no secret that interest rates have increased.  In fact, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023.  This rise in interest rates has increased the cost that consumers and businesses pay on borrowed money at all levels.  Our Kentucky farms are no exception to this increase in cost.  Farm businesse

Farm Bill Update – May 2024

By Will Snell | Extension Professor
Published on May. 24, 2024

Following the expiration and eventual extension of the 2018 farm bill last fall, interested parties have been attempting to get a farm bill moving in this session of the U.S. Congress prior to the existing farm bill expiring on September 30, 2024.

Farmers Market Purchase Frequency

By Azita Varziri | Postdoctoral Scholar, Brett Wolff | Extension Specialist, and Tim Woods | Extension Professor
Published on May. 24, 2024

Farmers markets are an anchor to a community's local food system and represent a high profile channel for local food system development in most communities. This study investigates various demographic and behavioral aspects that influence purchasing patterns at farmers' markets.

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.

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.

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.