Part of the Kentucky Forest Industries Association annual meeting this week in Lexington will be a major focus on white oak production.  UK forester, Jeff Stringer, says there’s high demand from both the bourbon and wine industries, and industry officials want to make sure this valuable crop is handled sustainably for its long term value to Kentucky.

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CBOT futures had another day of small price changes as traders are focused on Friday’s USDA reports. Large crops in South America and the bearish bias of the spec funds should cap futures until new fundamentals appear.  Cattle futures closed higher on short-covering.  

CBOT futures closed steady to higher with fairly narrow trading ranges. Cattle futures closed slightly higher following Monday’s big losses.  Lean Hog futures closed moderately lower, adding to sharp losses the past two trading days.

CBOT futures closed steady in corn and lower in wheat, soybeans and meal futures. Wheat was pressured by a wet forecast for the Plains; KC wheat led the declines. Corn and soybeans are under pressure from fund selling and big South American crops.  Cattle futures closed sharply lower and near the day’s lows as traders reversed some bullish trades made last week when countries banned Brazilian beef.

With the discovery of avian influenza (AI) in West Kentucky, it’s important to get ahead of such a situation and get solid, factual information to the general public. So much misinformation can make its way to the airwaves, so getting the facts out is vital to our top agriculture commodity.

As the population grows and as the need for domestically grown food increases, it’s important to get correct information out to consumers so they may make a sound choice no matter the choice when it comes to their food. 

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Making dreams come true is not a phrase you’d normally associate with a state government program and a middle man, but that’s exactly what’s happening through the Ky Ag Development Corporation’s “beginning farmer” loan program.  And one “middle man,” Chris Cooper with Central Kentucky Ag Credit in Richmond explains how the program is working for a Madison County young farm couple. 

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