While the United States Department of Agriculture is working to develop regulations for agricultural hemp, the Risk Management Agency is formulating a crop insurance plan to help farmers protect their risk.  Administrator Martin Barbre talks about what is being developed, the challenges and if agricultural hemp is too risky.

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The agriculture department at Eastern Kentucky University is continuing to grow as a new class of students enroll to obtain a degree in a number of areas.  Eastern Kentucky University Agronomy Professor Dr. John Settimi discusses what programs are offered at the university, the students that are enrolling and what they seem to be interested in.

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Farmers should observe safety practices all year long on the farm, with the Spring planting season always a dangerous time.  Dale Dobson with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reminds farmers of some timely safe practices on the farm, the need to have a plan and the importance of taking time to cope with the stresses of farming.

Dale Dobson with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture says it is important that agriculture and the general public share the road during the Spring planting season and all year long.  Dobson passes along reminders for farmers and drivers as activity picks up on and off the farm.

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United States Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles were joined by USDA Undersecretary Greg Ibach and Risk Management Agency Director Martin Barbre for a hemp forum in Louisville.  They discussed Kentucky’s role in formulating hemp regulations and the importance of getting those in place in the near future.

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Sometimes, the best way to see more clearly, and perhaps appreciate more, a specific issue that is close to home, is to observe if from a different perspective, in a different place.  

Corn and soybean futures closed higher on fund buying, unfavorable weather forecasts and strong soybean export sales. Support also came from the President’s positive comments on the trade negotiations. Live and feeder cattle futures closed strongly higher. Beyond the soon-to-expire April LH contract, LH futures closed sharply higher.

Since the end of last December, several head of a beef cattle herd on the David and Mollie Appelman / ATM Farm, were kept in a compost bedded pack barn throughout the winter months, rather than out in the wet winter weather. The idea led to dryer feeding conditions, less water/waste run-off, easier working conditions, and happier cows.