This Thursday in Lexington a UK Equine Farm and Facilities Expo will be held on the Mereworth Farm.  Fayette County extension agent, Nick Carter, says for veteran farmers with existing facilities or those interested in getting into new horse handling operations, this afternoon open house can provide hands-on solutions to practical challenges. 

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CBOT futures closed 1-2 percent lower with corn and soybean futures settling near the day’s lows. Traders credited drier weather for the weakness.  Beyond the nearby June Live Cattle contract, cattle futures closed higher with big gains in Feeders.

CBOT futures closed little changed in corn and wheat to one percent lower in soybeans. Unfortunately, all major contracts closed near the day’s lows.  Cattle futures closed strongly higher and near the day’s highs; this followed similarly-sized losses on Wednesday.  Lean Hog futures closed moderately higher with the June LH contract trading to a new contract high and close. Futures started the day weaker, but found support from a higher cash hog market.

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A report on the success with Churchill Downs’ ongoing efforts to utilize more locally-sourced produce, meats, and value added products at that world famous facility.  Executive Chef Dave Danielson say he’s all for that effort and says their success so far is due in large part to some help from “middlemen:” local  and regional food distributors who help them make those local connections.    

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Feldhaus visits with the Ky Ag Department’s Sharon Spencer, Director of Direct Farm Marketing Division, who discusses the statewide growth of CSA’s which provide the opportunity for fresh, locally-grown produce to consumers, and for farmers add some stability in sales and offer some capital funding before the growing season begins. 

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The Kentucky State Fair will run this year, Aug 17-27, but competitive entry deadlines are coming in early July.  State fair entries manager, Jennifer Peniston, talks about the variety of competition from quilts to fine art, and livestock to culinary presentations.  They’re expecting some 4,500 entries this year.

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The first-ever field day of UK”s Robinson Forest is on tap for this weekend.  Forest manager, Chris Osborne, says activities will include: a visit by Smokey the Bear; presentations of ongoing research by UK grad students, and some hands-on activities to learn about the wildlife diversity abundant at that facility in Breathitt County.

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