Items by Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
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
Prospects for Winter Backgrounding 2022-2023
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 31, 2022
Feeder calf prices in Kentucky showed a great deal of strength for much of 2022. In August, a 550 lb steer was selling in the low-mid $180’s per cwt on a state average basis. However, worsening drought conditions have combined with seasonal tendencies and that same weight steer calf is now selling for $15 to $20 less per cwt.
Fall 2022 Wheat Planting Decision
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 29, 2022
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 increases in wheat and soybean prices, major increases in all fertilizer prices, and fuel prices that have almost doubled. The following analysis quantifies these relative changes
Hay Production Cost Increases in 2022 and Management Implications
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 29, 2022
Costs for hay production have skyrocketed in 2022. Fertilizer is driving the bulk of the overall increase, followed by fuel, and then general cost increases for other categories (what could be considered “general inflation”). While we can debate the exact causes of all these increases (i.e.
Summer Stocker Outlook for 2022
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2022
Driving through the Commonwealth it is clear that spring has arrived and we are seeing signs of pastures growing. Stocker operators are starting to place calves on pasture, which typically pushes calf prices to their seasonal highs. As of late March, calf prices have increased by more than $20 per cwt from their lows last fall.
Grain Profitability Outlook 2022
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2022
The grain markets had already been climbing before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th. Since then, prices have been on a tear, particularly for wheat and corn. Current prices for 2022 new-crop delivery are around $6.50/bu for corn, $15/bu for soybeans, and $10/bu for wheat in Kentucky (3/25/22). This is an increase of around $2.25/bu for
Cow-Calf Profitability Estimates for 2021 and 2022 (Spring Calving Herd)
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor,
Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist,
and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2022
The purpose of this article is to examine cow-calf profitability for a spring calving herd that sold weaned calves in the fall of 2021 and provide an estimate of profitability for the upcoming year. Table 1 summarizes estimated costs for a well-managed spring-calving cowherd for 2021. Every operation is different, so producers should evaluate
Reducing Your Dependency on Commercial Fertilizers Strategies for Cattle Farms in 2022 and Beyond
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2022
Fertilizer prices have risen to all-time high levels in the last few months. Table 1 shows these increases over the last year for the most common commercial fertilizer sources used by cattle farmers. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizers have both more than doubled over the last year.
New Features to Enterprise Budgets
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 28, 2021
Enterprise budgets are designed to help farmers estimate profitability in the current and future growing seasons, and are also used by lenders and other agricultural-related professionals. Expected year-to-year changes in profitability can help farmers make decisions related to cropping decisions (e.g.
Fall 2021 Wheat Planting Decision
By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 30, 2021
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 is a significant increase in wheat and soybean prices, as well as major increases in all fertilizer prices. The following analysis quantifies these relative changes to estimate the profitability
