Cow-Calf Profitability Estimates for 2023 and 2024 (Spring Calving Herd)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist, and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2024

The purpose of this article is to examine cow-calf profitability for a spring calving herd that sold weaned calves in the fall of 2023 and provide an estimate of profitability for the upcoming year, 2024.  Table 1 summarizes estimated costs for a well-managed spring-calving cowherd for 2023.  Every operation is different, so producers should eva

5 Commandments for Bale Grazing in the East

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jan. 30, 2024

Bale grazing in the eastern U.S. has its challenges compared to traditional, more Northern regions where the system is used. To be successful in areas with more moderate winters, you need to do a few things differently. In my experience, there are a number of fundamental concepts that need to be followed to make bale grazing work well here.

Beef Enterprise Budgets

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor, and Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 1, 2023

This publication contains budgets for production of selected livestock enterprises in Kentucky. The purpose of these budgets is to serve as a management and decision-making guide for current and prospective producers of these enterprises. 

Prospects for Winter Backgrounding 2023-2024

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

After several years of cattle selling at frustratingly low price levels, continued herd liquidation has led to tight supplies and much higher calf prices in 2023.  While markets have pulled back in recent weeks, calves and heavy feeders are moving at prices $50 to $70 per cwt above what was seen a year ago.

Wheat Double-Crop Soybean Budget | 2023-2024

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 1, 2023

Purpose: This Decision Aid has been constructed to help budget for wheat or wheat double-crop soybean production. Machinery Options Evaluated: No-Till Wheat, No-Till Weat and No-Till Soybeans Author(s) Contact Information: 

Fall 2023 Wheat Planting Decision

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 29, 2023

Corn harvest is now underway and Kentucky grain farmers will soon decide if and how much wheat they will plant this fall.  Compared to last year there are significant decreases in wheat and soybean prices, but also significant decreases in fertilizer and fuel prices.  The following analysis quantifies these relative changes to estimate the profi

Stocker Outlook for 2023

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 30, 2023

Spring has officially arrived in the Commonwealth, which always brings questions about stocker profitability.  Calf prices typically increase seasonally as we move into spring, but have increased at a larger-than-normal rate since the end of 2022.

Bale Grazing Grant Comes to Kentucky and Beyond

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 30, 2023

“Bale Grazing: A Practical, Low-Cost, and Environmentally-Sound Management Strategy to Winter Beef Cattle”, is a NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant that has been funded for six states – Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, Virginia, and New York (see figure 1).  The grant started in 2022 and will end February 2028. 

Grain Profitability Outlook 2023

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2023

The grain markets surged to a new level after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 24, 2022.  Prices have come down since their peak last spring, but they are still extremely high.  Current prices for 2023 new-crop delivery are around $5.60/bu for corn, $14/bu for soybeans (2/22/23).  This is an increase of around $.30/bu for corn and $

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