The Russell County Conservation District office was recently successful in obtaining a small grant from the Governor’s Office of Ag Policy for purchase of some “turtle tubes” used in grain bin rescue efforts.  Conservation leader, Jennifer Hardwick, says they’re also obtaining some “harness kits” for local farmers to use in preventing accidents in grain bins.

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Two major ag production surveys are winding down and Dave Knopf, regional office director for NASS, the National Ag Statistics Service, says findings will be revealed June 30.  Data should give farmers additional insight into production figures that can help them determine marketing strategies for their crops. 

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CBOT futures closed steady to lower after trading both sides of unchanged.  Chicago/KC wheat closed well off the day’s lows, supported by a big rally in the MGEX wheat contract.  Both Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures closed sharply higher with some contracts locked up the daily trade limit.  Prices were supported by sharply higher gains in the cash market where $4-5/cwt gains were seen.

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An update on the UK MarketReady project which can provide extensive training for Kentucky farmers considering who are considering marketing their own crops and value added products.  UK extension associate, Alex Butler, talks about some of the significant challenges that face these farmers, but he says his agency stands ready to help.    

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A feature report on a brand new farmers’ market that’s just opened this season in Nicholasville.  Local market board member, Charlie Workman, says community members in Jessamine County are excited about the new resource and local citizens are joining in with full support. 

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An update report on an Adair County farmer who’s been working with local extension agent Nick Roy in a program of large round bale feeding of cattle through the winter months.  So far, the effort is proving successful, already resulting in fertilizer application expenses for the local farmer who’s trying it.

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The state ag development board has just approved a major, $127,000 grant for Beef Solutions, LLC which by this fall plans to provide one-pound packages of Kentucky-grown ground beef in stores across the state.  Dave Maples with the Kentucky Cattlemens Association discusses the complexities of the project.

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