The cost of H2A labor on Kentucky farms is continuing to increase.  USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service Eastern Mountain Region Director David Knoff talks about the labor costs, factors contributing to the increase and the impact on farmers and agriculture.

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Kentucky delegates are among thousands of American Farm Bureau members that are in Austin, Texas, this week for the federation’s annual meeting.  Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney talks about the issues that will be discussed and the potential policies that could be voted on during the meeting.

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The Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board and the Hutson School of Agriculture at Murray State University are hosting the 16^th annual Soybean Promotion Day Tuesday, January 21. Hutson School of Agriculture Dean Dr. Tony Brannon talks about the speakers, the networking, the program, and shares other details about the event.

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Except for Chicago Wheat, CBOT futures closed lower on a weak finish following the signing of the US/China Trade Agreement. Cattle futures closed lower but trading ranges were wider today, especially in FC.  Lean Hog futures closed slightly higher with trade inside yesterday’s wide ranges.

With today’s signing of the Phase I Trade Agreement between the U.S. and China, our farm families here and across the country have renewed hope of normalized agricultural trade between our country and what was once our largest ag-export market. 

The Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Marketbasket Survey results from the fourth quarter of 2019 indicate price fluctuations to most food items and a slight increase in the overall cost of food over the course of the year. 

Ahead of tomorrow’s midday signing of the US/China Phase 1 trade agreement, corn and soybean futures closed steady in narrow range trading and wheat continued to trend higher. Cattle futures closed little changed but remain not far from the contract highs.  Lean hog futures posted strong gains even as cash hog and pork values did not. 

CBOT futures closed mixed today. Corn closed higher and near the day’s highs in follow-through buying to Friday’s strong market. Cattle futures closed lower on last week’s disappointing cash steer trade at steady prices around $124/cwt. Lean Hog futures closed moderately lower and near chart support.