Summer Stocker Outlook for 2021

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 28, 2021

After a tough couple weeks in February, it is looking a lot more like spring in Kentucky. Spring means stocker operators are looking to place calves on pasture for summer and is the time of year when we typically see our seasonal highs in the calf market.

ARC-PLC Farm Bill Decision 2021

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 25, 2021

Starting in 2018, grain farmers have had the ability to decide on a yearly basis between the ARC and PLC Farm Bill programs.  The decision needs to be made for each base-acre crop type (corn, soybeans, wheat) on each FSA farm.  You can choose PLC for one crop type, and ARC for another crop type on the same farm.

Cow-Calf Profitability Estimates for 2020 and 2021 (Spring Calving Herd)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist, and Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 25, 2021

The purpose of this article is to examine cow-calf profitability for a spring calving herd that sold weaned calves in the fall of 2020 and provide an estimate of profitability for the upcoming year.  Table 1 summarizes estimated costs for a well-managed spring-calving cowherd for 2020.  Every operation is different, so producers should evaluate

Fall 2020 Wheat Planting Decision

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 28, 2020

Beautiful early-fall conditions are resulting in another early corn harvest this year, 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 prices and a slight increase in soybean prices.  These changes will make planting wheat more attractiv

Sacred Cows and Stocking Rates

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

In May 2019, I was on a farm visit east of Lexington with a few county agents and NRCS specialists.  Our goal was to help a cattle farmer who had about five years of experience come up with a long-run plan for improved infrastructure (water, fencing, etc.) as well as guide him in the short-run to improve the profitability of the farm. 

Locally Produced Beef and Coronavirus Impacts

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The Coronavirus has had major impacts to the beef supply, as well as other meats in this country since mid-March.  Short-term demand for beef has increased, but major bottlenecks in processing have limited supply and have generally had negative impacts on the conventional beef industry.  Unlike the conventional beef segment, Kentucky beef produc

Resources Available to Farmers Struggling with Farm Financial Stress

By Alison Davis | Extension Professor, Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator, Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist, Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor, Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor, Sarah Bowker | CEDIK Managing Director, and Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 1, 2019

Farmers have been facing many financial stress issues related to commodity prices and the overall farm economy.

Kentucky ANR Agent Land Value and Cash Rent Survey (2018)

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Feb. 1, 2018

In 2018 Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) agents were surveyed to estimate land values and rental rates for various types of farmland.  A total of 70 ANR agents completed this survey out of 120 counties, representing approximately 60% of the state total.

Pastured Based Laying Hens Decision Aid

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jun. 10, 2017

Purpose: This decision tool was developed to assist current and potential producers with estimating their costs and returns for a small scale layer enterprise.

Small Scale Broiler Production Decision Aid

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor and Samantha Kindred | Extension Associate
Published on Jun. 4, 2017

Purpose: This decision tool was developed to assist current and potential producers with estimating their costs and returns for a small scale broiler enterprise. Options Evaluated: The management style options are broken down into two categories: stationary and mobile housing.