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.

Corn and Soybean Budgets | 2024 Western Kentucky

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2024

Purpose: This Decision Aid has been constructed to help producers budget for corn and soybean production. Machinery Options Evaluated: No-Till Corn, Conventional Tillage Corn, No-Till Soybeans

Corn and Soybean Budgets | 2024 Central Kentucky

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2024

Purpose: This Decision Aid has been constructed to help producers budget for corn and soybean production. Machinery Options Evaluated: No-Till Corn, Conventional Tillage Corn, No-Till Soybeans

Corn and Soybean Budgets | 2024 Advanced Options

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 31, 2024

Purpose: This Decision Aid has been constructed to help producers budget for corn and soybean production. Machinery Options Evaluated: No-Till Corn, Conventional Tillage Corn, Customized Corn, No-Till Soybeans, Conventional Soybeans, Customized Soybeans.

Maximizing Value: 2024 Spring Application of Broiler Litter for Grain Crop Production

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Mar. 28, 2024

Spring is here and grain producers across the state are gearing up for planting.  One of the many decisions producers have to make before planting is in regard to their nutrient management plan.  Broiler litter provides a great opportunity as a complete fertilizer and is being produced and used throughout the state in grain production.  However,

2024 Commodity Marketing Calendar

Published on Mar. 1, 2024

Our Commodity Marketing Calendar is an essential tool for any farm looking to maximize their profits and stay ahead of market trends. This comprehensive calendar provides detailed information on key events and factors that can impact commodity prices, helping businesses make informed decisions about when to buy or sell.

Grain Profitability Outlook 2024

By Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2024

Grain prices have dropped dramatically in the last year.  Current prices for 2024 new crop delivery are around $4.15/bu for corn, $11.00/bu for soybeans (2/23/23).  This is a decrease of around $1.00/bu for corn and $1.75/bu for soybeans compared to what these prices were expected one year ago (see Figure 1).   

Old Crop Balance Sheets and New Crop Projections: What would it take to get $6.00 Corn and $14.00 Soybeans?

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Feb. 28, 2024

The first projections for the 2024/25 crop year were released on February 15th at the Ag Outlook Forum (AOF). These estimates indicate a more bearish situation in the 2024/25 marketing year than we are currently experiencing in 2023/24. As we came out of COVID/Russia-Ukraine-induced highs, prices have fallen rapidly.

The Economic Value of Applying Broiler Litter in the Fall 2023

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Nov. 29, 2023

Spring application of broiler litter is ideal for maximizing the economic value but faces challenges that include wet soil conditions, lack of time to spread litter near planting, and availability of litter in the spring.

Mississippi River Level Impacts on Basis: 2022 Vs. 2023

By Grant Gardner | Assistant Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 30, 2023

In 2022 and 2023, the river levels on the Mississippi slowed barge freight and, thus, crop exports out of Kentucky. When river levels decline, barge transportation slows, which causes barge freight rates to increase.