A feature report on GrowFarms, Inc., an advisor/distributor for produce farmers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio. Company president, Brian Knott is featured explaining their role providing successful marketing connections for an expanding number of Kentucky farmers, especially those who’ve joined the Kentucky Proud marketing effort which is adding more items to Kroger store food shelves.

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An update today with Ky Ag Department, state apiarist, Tammy Horn Potter about how bee hives make it through the trials of winter weather.  She also discusses some very informative videos now available through the state beekeepers association. She says beekeepers, with a cell phone, can literally take video lessons on bee care to the field.

A feature report with Dr. Gordon Jones, long-time ag educator at Western Kentucky University and new member of the Ky Ag Development Board. Jones discusses his impressions of board membership, his views on how the Ag Development Process has impacted farmers, and discusses a little of his background in education.

A series of KCARD winter grant writing programs continues; Feb 1 in Scott County, Feb 9 in Pulaski, and Feb 21 in Caldwell Counties.  Feldhaus visits with KCARD grant facilitator, Aaron Shapiro, about the training and the widespread impact it’s been having for farmers and entrepreneurs here.

A report on the current application period now open for up to $10,000 in cost share money for farmers in the “On-Farm Energy Efficiency” grant program.  Bill McCloakey, Deputy Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Ag Policy talks about program details and the opportunities for a wide variety of producers.

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CBOT futures closed mixed with soybeans and meal performing the best of the major commodities (Oats gained an impressive 8 cents).  Live cattle futures closed higher while Feeder cattle ended lower except for the February contract. LC was supported by higher boxed beef values and expectations of higher fed cattle prices this week. Lean Hog futures closed lower after moving to new highs in the morning. Profit-taking kicked in under pressure from a sharply lower pork market. 

Except for MGEX wheat and soybean oil futures, CBOT futures closed strongly higher led by 2+ percent gains in old-crop soybean futures and 4+ percent gains in nearby soybean meal futures.  Corn and wheat futures also gained almost 2 percent.  Cattle futures closed higher and in the upper end of the range.  Live Cattle traded to new highs.

CBOT futures closed near steady in corn to sharply higher in soybeans and soybean meal in response to the midday USDA crop reports.  Wheat futures closed strongly higher, supported by lower-than-expected winter wheat seedings reported today at 32.38 million acres, down 10% from 2015 and the 2^nd lowest on record.