As a ninth-generation farmer, I have been surrounded by a strong farm family all of my life. Our roots in LaRue County date back to a time when Abraham Lincoln’s family lived here.

With those deep roots, the agriculture industry is more than just a family business to me. It is a passion, and tradition, and a duty to those we help feed throughout our state, our nation and the world.

Cricket, a 17-year-old quarter horse from Clark County, Kentucky has been all over the country competing in ranch-type events, including ranch-horse competitions and ranch roping and doctoring. It is what she does in the equine world.

To say we are inundated daily with information is quite an understatement considering all the electronic devices we have. Our phones, tablets and computers have become magnets for everyday doses of news and opinions that circulate throughout the digital airwaves. In a perfect world, all this information would be truthful and helpful, but, unfortunately, that is not always the case.

KFB Candid Conversation presents a discussion about the topical issues related to KFB priorities, the agricultural industry, and rural communities, in a question and answer format. In this column, Dale Moore, Executive Vice President, American Farm Bureau Federation, discusses working with a new administration coming to Washington and agriculture priorities in 2021.

Shelbyville Senator Paul Hornback favors moving the Governor's Office of Ag Policy to the KDA.

Listen here

Grain and soy complex futures rose sharply for a second day in a row. Live cattle futures closed slightly higher but feeder futures posted sizable losses due to the soaring corn market. Beyond the February LH, lean hog futures closed slightly higher.

Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles and Kentucky farm groups are highlighting changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) benefiting Kentucky agricultural producers. PPP provides forgivable loans to small businesses to pay employees to keep them on the payroll. 

Grain and soy complex futures closed sharply higher but only erasing part of Friday’s huge losses. Cattle futures closed mostly higher except for light weakness in the nearby contracts. Lean hog futures closed higher as the 4-day bounce continues off last week’s lows.