Despite the USDA WASDE report being generally bearish, CBOT futures managed to close near steady. USDA cut the US average yield for corn by 1.8 bu/acre to 178.9 bu/acre, and soybeans by 1.0 bu/acre to 52.1 bu/acre. The cut in US production was bigger than traders expected. Cattle futures closed slightly higher despite a weak boxed beef market. Crude Oil is in a bear market as U.S. production hit a new record high of 11.6 million barrels/day last week.

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Kentucky could receive as much as $200 million through the Market Facilitation Program to assist farmers impacted by the tariffs being imposed by China.  Kentucky Farm Service Agency Director Brian Lacefield explains the Market Facilitation Program, how the payments are calculated and how many Kentucky farmers will receive assistance.

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Kentucky FFA returned home from the National FFA Convention with some impressive awards.  Executive Secretary Matt Chaliff talks about the winners from Kentucky, some top finishers, a record number of American FFA Degree recipients and four Kentuckians who were honored for their service.

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Many agriculture leaders across the state and nation are hoping Congress will pass the 2018 Farm Bill now that the mid-term elections are over.  Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney talks about the farm bill, why it is important, the inclusion of Industrial Hemp legislation and the implementation process.

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The Kentucky Farm Bureau Water Management Working Group is combining the agriculture community, conservation and other state partners to plan for the future water needs of the state.  Chairman Steve Coleman talks about the work of the group, the impact the work is having on Kentucky and the importance of planning for the future.

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The Kentucky Mesonet System will serve as the infrastructure for the Kentucky Early Warning Drought System, better known as KYDEWS, that is being implemented across the state.  State Climatologist Dr. Stuart Foster talks about the system, how it will work and the impact it will have on agriculture and all of Kentucky.

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CBOT futures closed mostly lower as traders positioned themselves for tomorrow’s latest crop production estimates and US/World supply-demand estimates. Traders on average expect USDA to lower corn and soybean yield just a touch.  Live cattle futures were slightly lower beyond the nearby December LC contract which gained 67 cents.