A story on how a third generation farm girl who for and retired from Toyota, got back into farming, goat production specifically, and she developed and markets a line of soaps and hand creams. Nancy Hayes of Laurel County describes her venture as an ag entrepreneur and she gives plenty of credit to the Ky Proud program and the many retailers these days who support it.

Listen here

A feature report with the 2016 Farmer of the Year in Kentucky, Mike Bach of Bath County who has a 2,500 acres operation focusing on cow/calf production, field crops, peaches and asparagus.  Bach talks about the tremendous advances in ag production through GPS technology and how it can assist in environmental protection and increase the bottom line.

A new set of tools is now available for beekeepers to better manage their hives year round; and right now is the time to take action to have a high degree of success is knocking back the varroa mite; the number one threat to honey bees.  State apiarist, Tammy Horn Potter, discusses a new serrie of short videos available free of charge to beekeepers.

Wild pigs; they’re not a widespread problem in Kentucky yet, but Ky Fish and Wildlife officials are taking actions to stop their spread. In even small groups or “sounders,” wild or feral hogs can create environmental and crop damage and can out compete deer and turkey for available, natural food sources.  Fish and Wildlife’s John Hast describes the situation.

Listen here

The biggest news today is that the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by 0.25 points – as expected.  CBOT futures closed mixed with relatively small price changes. Corn and wheat closed near the day’s highs, despite the spike higher at 1 pm CST in the US Dollar Index when the FOMC raised its interest rate.

KFB Candid Conversations presents a discussion about the topical issues facing the agricultural industry in a question and answer format with a member of Kentucky’s agricultural community. In this column, State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout discusses the Veterinary Feed Directive, a regulatory action taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and goes into effect January 1, 2017.

CBOT futures closed steady to lower after trading both sides of unchanged.  Cattle futures closed higher and in the upper range. Buyers hit the market from the opening bell, adding to Monday’s strong closing action.  Lean hog futures closed mixed with weakness in the Dec and Feb contracts and firm values in April and beyond contracts.

CBOT futures closed mostly steady to lower with late-session trading taking corn and wheat to the day’s highs while soybeans traded near the day’s lows.  Cattle futures closed strongly higher with Feeder Cattle closing near the day’s highs. Futures were supported by technical buying.  Lean Hog futures closed mixed with modest gains in Dec/Feb/April and steady closes for June-forward contracts. Futures were supported by higher cash hog prices and a stronger pork market.