Kentucky Agricultural News Online

Vol. 5 No. 9  •  July 9, 2012

Seeds of growth

Pat Caudill, Commissioner James Comer, and Dan Caudill

 

In 1947, Forrest Caudill started traveling to farms and military reservations such as Fort Knox, collecting the seeds from fields of tall bluegrass using old-fashioned threshing machines and splitting the crop with the property owners. ... more (Photo by Chris Aldridge)

 

 

 

Agriculture Commissioner James R. Comer

 

 

 

Agriculture Commissioner James R. Comer

Kentuckians have a knack for putting a humorous spin on even the most dire situation. So it has been that, on my recent travels across the state, a few people have asked me if I could use the powers of my office to make it rain. ... more

 

Commissioner Comer appoints task force to study fuel testing laboratory

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer announced the members of a fuel lab task force who will address concerns raised in an audit of the Department of Agriculture’s previous administration. The task force includes leaders in the fuel industry, agriculture, and government efficiencies. ... more

Cincinnati company donates rescue equipment to Farm and Home Safety Program

Emergency Equipment gave an All-Terrain Res-Q Trailer, a MedLite Transport Deluxe medical/rescue bed insert, and a stretcher manufactured by Junkin Safety Appliance Company of Louisville. ... more

 

Across Kentucky: Farm to School Program introduces new resources

Kentucky’s Farm to School program is designed to get more healthy foods into the state’s schools, improving nutrition for students and economic potential for local farmers. The Kentucky Ag Department’s Tina Garland talks about two new major developments for that program. ... more (audio)

New law to protect agritourism operators and participants takes effect in July

The law requires venues such as wineries, orchards, and corn mazes to warn visitors that they are assuming the risk of participating in the activities of the operation. ... more

Legislation enables taxpayers to contribute to Farms to Food Banks

At a time when food banks are experiencing unprecedented demand for emergency food assistance, Kentucky residents will soon have a new opportunity to join the fight against hunger. ... more

Kentucky's retail food prices drop in second quarter of 2012

According to Kentucky Farm Bureau's latest Marketbasket Survey, the total cost of 40 basic grocery items was $113.03 in the second quarter of the year. This reflects a decrease of $2.68, or 2.3 percent, from the same list of items reported in the previous quarter. ... more

Kentucky 4-H, FFA elect 2012-13 officers

2012-13 Kentucky FFA officers

Top: Kentucky FFA elected state officers for 2012-13 at the Kentucky FFA Convention in June. Pictured are, from left: front row - McKell Davis, state secretary, Heath; Katie Conn, Licking River state vice president, Rowan County; Ali Higgs, state president, Western Hills; Callie Ratley, Green River state vice president, Union County, and Nicki Seay, Pennyrile state vice president, Christian County; back row - Billy Cameron, state reporter, Rockcastle County; Hunter Easterling, Big Sandy state vice president, East Carter; Austin Jaggers, state treasurer, Spencer County; Justin Davis, state vice president, Edmonson County; Luke King, Lake Cumberland state vice president, Cumberland County, and Billy Mitchell, Lincoln Trail state vice president, John Hardin. Bottom: Keith Rogers, left, director of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, welcomed new Kentucky 4-H officers, from left: Savhanna Pearson, Columbia, treasurer; McKenzie Gearheart, Pikeville, secretary; Josh Robinette, Louisa, vice president, and Ryan Halligan, Frankfort, president, at the Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference in June in Lexington.

4-H officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kentucky corn acreage up 16 percent, soybeans down 6 percent

According to the Kentucky Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service farmers in Kentucky planted 1.60 million acres of corn, up 16 percent from last year, and the largest corn acreage since 1986. ... more

Wheat yields surprisingly good

With harvest nearing completion, 2012 average wheat yields, test weights and quality were good, which was a pleasant surprise to many producers. ... more

Equine study will identify industry's strengths and needs

The purpose of the study is to get an accurate inventory of all horses in the state by breed and use, and their economic impact of both direct farm impact and local community impact from shows, races and trail rides. ... more

Kentucky Farm Bureau's 2012 Farm Vehicle Regulations reference guide now available online

The updated booklet is designed to help KFB’s members better understand and navigate the new statutes and regulations associated with farm vehicle transportation. ... more

Tax implications of purchased breeding cattle vs. raised breeding cattle

Many farmers choose to replace their cull cows by raising heifers from their herd. Another method that farmers may want to consider is to sell their heifers as market calves and purchase replacement heifers, bred to calve the following year. ... more

 

Kentucky agriculture broadcast schedule

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

FoodSafety.gov

 

Coming up

Advanced Kentucky Grazing School

UK dairy field day

Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference

Northern Nut Growers Association annual meeting

2012 National Junior Angus Show

Field to Fork Festival

Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo - West

Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes

National Nut Growers Association annual meeting

Livestock Investigation Training Level II

Kentuckiana Dairy Exchange

Woodland Owners Short Course

Kentucky State Fair Quarter Horse Show

Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field Day

MarketReady training

Kentucky State Fair

Connecting Farm$ to Local Market$

 

Kentucky Farm Fact

Kentucky has nearly 150 farmers' markets that offer farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, jams, jellies, sauces, salsas, cut flowers, crafts, and much more. Click here to find a farmers' market near you.

 

Archive