- Crops
- Entomology
- Horticulture
- Awards
- Community Development
- Fine Arts
- Agriculture
- Livestock
- Research
- 4-H Youth
- Events
- Family and Consumer Sciences
Search News
Special features
- Ag Information Center
- Ag Magazine
- Publications
- Office of Diversity
- Ag Weather
- Ag Faculty Council
- Staff Links
- College Store
College Highlights
Top Stories
Consumers, producers feel effects of Mother Nature
While flood damage to crops in the Midwest is not yet calculated, consumers are dealing with the effects of inclement weather from around the world at the grocery store and could be for some time, said Larry Jones, agricultural economist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.
"It looks like food prices this year are going to go up at least seven and maybe 8 percent, and that's due to a host of factors, which includes weather," he said. "I don't see any let up for the next year-and-a-half to 2 years."
Since last year, the average cost of food has increased about 5 percent. So far this year, the largest food sector increases are in fats and oils (12.8 percent), dairy and dairy products (11 percent) and cereals and bakery goods (10.5 percent).
The Midwest is one of several areas in the world that had crops destroyed by extreme weather conditions. A cyclone caused catastrophic damage last month in Myanmar, and Australia is dealing with a 6-year drought.
These weather events are just one part of the cause of increasing food prices. The rising costs are also due to increased demand from growing economies wanting better diets, higher input costs and more demand for bioenergy production. The weakened dollar, which has caused higher import prices and increased U.S. exports, is another factor.
The...
read more
Book teaches conservation through nature's beauty
From the banks of the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Mountains, Kentucky is a state full of natural beauty. Unfortunately, many of the state's natural treasures only occur in a few places and during certain times of the year.
To raise awareness of the state's beauty and promote environmental conservation, Thomas Barnes, University of Kentucky professor and extension wildlife specialist, traveled...
read more
Second Sunday encourages people to get moving
It's time to take Kentucky's health problems seriously, according to experts in University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences, and they've come up with a big plan to bring attention to the subject.
Second Sunday, a statewide event designed to get Kentuckians on their feet and moving, is planned for Oct. 12. Organized by specialists and agents in the family and consumer sciences arm of the...
read more
More News
Field day to highlight UK turf research July 10
For more than 30 years, researchers in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture have been studying turf varieties and best management practices for turf professionals. Each year, the college highlights the latest turf research during a field day at its Spindletop Research Farm in Lexington. This year's event is July 10.
One of the longest-running turf efforts is grass cultivar evaluations for home lawns. The resulting data becomes part of a national grass-cultivar research project called...
read more
UK helps bring Cooperative Extension concept to Republic of Georgia
Photo from left: John Johns, Michael S. Reed and Terry Hutchens are three of the many UK College of Agriculture faculty, staff and students that traveled to the Republic of Georgia over the last three years to help Georgians develop and implement their own version of the Cooperative Extension Service.
University of Kentucky College...
read more
Rising rivers could threaten crops in western Kentucky
Recent flooding along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers left some western Kentucky crops in low lying fields underwater. As flooded tributaries in the north flow into the rivers, more may be at risk.
Depending on the length of the flood, some crops may be able to survive, but some may need to be replanted, said Chad Lee, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture extension grain crops specialist.
"Plants can survive about 48 hours under water if the water temperature is above 70 degrees," he said.
It is not...
read more
From Growing Kentucky
KENTUCKY AG ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
It started with a spring freeze followed by a drought, but despite those problems UK's agricultural economists say farm receipts will be another record year (07) for Kentucky.play
JOHNSON COUNTY AGRITOURISM
Officials in Johnson County hope to tap into the success of the Country Music Highway Museum in their county as a springboard for agritourism. An agritourism loop featuring agriculture-related business is being test piloted now for a spring launch, just in time for the tourist season.play
KENTUCKY WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
We will learn more about the fastest growing segment of agriculture in Kentucky….the Kentucky Women in Agriculture organization is a leadership voice in the commonwealth.play
Radio News
Watching for Timber Theft
Timber theft is a common crime committed in Kentucky. Extension Forestry Specialist, Jeff Stringer, outlines how to prevent these occurrences.play (.mp3)
Summarizing Research on Corn Fungicides
Much research is being done on corn fungicides. Paul Vincelli, Extension Disease and Turfgrass Specialist, elaborates on University of Kentucky corn fungicide focal research areas.
play (.mp3)
Recommending Secondary Nutrients for Soil
There are a lot of nutrients needed for high soil and crop quality. Extension Director of Soil Testing Frank Sikora details secondary nutrients requirements as recommended by the University of Kentucky.
play (.mp3)
Agriculture in Kentucky
Farmers' market season in bloom
Community Press & Recorder - The market has added two new vendors who will be joining the market in June, said David Koester, horticulture agent for the University of Kentucky's...read more
Creative Dining managers check out Holland Farmer's Market
MLive.com - "We have a diversity of agriculture products available to us that are grown and produced right in our own backyards, so it makes sense to buy locally...read more
Plenty of blame to go around on farm bill
Anchorage Times - Instead, they packed their slots on the Agriculture Committee with members representing districts that receive a disproportionate amount of farm subsidies...read more
Report expected today on Six Flags accident
Louisville Courier-Journal - The Kentucky Department of Agriculture says it plans to release a report today on an accident on a ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom that severed a ......read more
Ranchers Get Right to Graze Animals, Harvest Hay on Protected Land
RedOrbit - A spokesman for Ducks Unlimited said the USDA move was positive in that the agency so far has resisted pressure from farming groups to open the conservation...read more