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Following record breaking years, the Kentucky agricultural economy, like the overall U.S. agricultural economy, slumped in 2015, with concern looming for 2016. On the national front, USDA is projecting 2015 net farm income to plummet to $56 billion, down 28 percent from 2014 levels and 55 percent off the record high established in 2013. In response to mounting supplies and depressed demand, prices for most crops and livestock are falling from their record high levels of recent years. U.S. agricultural exports declined from its peak in response to a strengthening U.S. dollar, sluggish economic growth overseas, and abundant supplies. Land values and crop rents appear to be slowly adjusting to...

Laughter encourages many individual health benefits such as reduced stressed levels, lowered blood pressure, enhanced memory, stronger immune system and enriched creativity and alertness. Families who laugh together are also often healthier and happier. Happy families are often close; they enjoy spending time together and supporting one another. While the typical day may be busy with school and work routines, it can be easy to add the goof-factor. For example, you can sing in the car or tell jokes or funny stories while you cook dinner or wait at a restaurant. Other ways that a family can laugh more includes: • Be silly. Say silly things, use crazy voices, make funny...

“This year’s first observed eastern tent caterpillar egg hatch is seven days earlier that 2015, reflecting the warm spring temperatures,” said Lee Townsend, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Extension Entomologist. “The hatch is not synchronized; tiny larvae will continue to emerge over the next two weeks from eggs laid last summer on wild cherry, flowering cherry, apple and related trees. This is a hardy insect so low temperatures in the 30-degree Fahrenheit range should not affect their survival.” Eastern tent caterpillars spend the winter as tiny, fully developed insects in distinctive egg masses that encircle twigs of wild cherry and related trees. It is one of...

If you are a gardener or are thinking about gardening, spring is definitely a welcome season. Gardening can save you a significant amount of money at the grocery store. If you are planting a produce garden, it can also add curb appeal to your home increasing your home’s value. However, did you know that there are some considerations that you should keep in mind to save money when planning your spring garden? Be patient. While it may be tempting to start your garden at the first sign of spring, hold off a bit. You will want to make sure that frost season is over before planting. Think about your yard’s sunlight. Before...

Until last year, I’d never heard of Bainbridge, Georgia. The town, located in the extreme southern part of the state, is now forever linked to Corbin. Bainbridge donated the old steam engine and coal tender you now see parked along Depot Street … part of the static displays that tie into the planned railroad museum that will be located in the old L&N Depot building. Their act of generosity, to me, is amazing. I imagine myself as a member of the Bainbridge city council. In walk total strangers from a town in Kentucky who want given to them an iconic part of one of our popular local parks. Brazen, to say the least. My immediate...

In the 1930s, 40’s, and well into the 50’s dining out was considered a luxury, something done on special occasions. But as lifestyles began to change so did the restaurant business. With more women stepping out of the kitchen and into the workforce, local eateries emerged as did chain restaurants, both recognizing that we were becoming a society on the move. And we’re still on the move. That’s why in Kentucky alone there are hundreds and hundreds of quality spots to dine. Of course most of the chains are good, but the purpose here is to zero in on several of the “local types” that will be well worth your time...

It is March so that means I have a sore throat. This time it came from Mother Nature, but that wasn’t always the cause. For 30 years I broadcast every game of the District, Regional and State Tournaments. By the time the games were over my throat had taken a pounding and thus I had a sore throat. It was broadcasting the state tournament that was the hardest on it. I did every game. Other stations would alternate announcers but I went the long haul. On press row I was told I had the record for broadcasting the most consecutive games. I did 420 in a row over a span...

When I became Publisher of the News Journal in 2015, one of the first things I wanted to get accomplished was to modernize the newspaper’s website. It’s been a LONG process getting there, but two weeks ago we did sort of a silent rollout of the new site (thenewsjournal.net/). For those of you who have been using it, thank you for being our lab rats, so to speak. You’ve helped us sort out a bunch of problems and issues that we’ve been able to fix. I’m proud of the work that has been done so far. Don’t get me wrong; we plan to keep adding features and functionality as the weeks go...

Balancing your personal life from your professional life is no easy task! In the world we live, it is increasingly difficult to say no to work assignments and yes to spending time with family. Some of us long to get promoted with our jobs and steadily climb the ladder. Others have kids to support and without a lot of help. Therefore, we are working three jobs or late nights just to make sure there is food on the table. But are we missing out on the real purpose if we don’t get to spend time with those we love? When possible there are ways to balance work with life to make for a...

• Stay alert!  The spring calving season should be in full swing now, top priority should be to get a live calf and keep cows in sufficient body condition to rebreed early. Calving areas should be accessible and as clean and as free of mud as possible. Pastures which have good sod and are close to handling facilities work best. Be prepared for severe weather and avoid calving losses that were common last winter. • Check cows at least twice daily and first-calf heifers more frequently than that. Be ready to assist those not making progress after 1 to 2 hours of hard labor. Chilled calves should be dried and...