AEN-167: Backyard Chickens as Garden Fertilizer Generators

By Steve Higgins
Published on Mar. 11, 2022

Having backyard chickens can be a fun, educational, and rewarding experience. There are many reasons why people keep backyard chickens, with availability of fresh, colored eggs, food security, and enjoying the birds as pets among them. However, for some, the goal is to obtain the rich manure that chickens produce to fertilize their garden.

AEN-166: Off Grid Solar Systems: Understanding Components and Variables for Small Systems

By Daniel Carpenter, Matt Adams, and Morgan Hayes
Published on Mar. 9, 2022

Off grid solar systems are often considered on farms and small acreages in locations where power is difficult or expensive to run. These locations typically do not have huge power requirements; the land owners just wish to have lights in a barn, a fence charger, or to run a small motor or power tool.

Unique research could improve indoor equine and livestock environment

By Aimee Nielson
Published on Feb. 8, 2022

Plenty of research exists surrounding outdoor equine and livestock arenas, but when it comes to indoor facilities, University of Kentucky College of Food and Environment researchers are breaking new ground with a multi-year study.  

New podcast shares engineers’ approach to livestock farming

By Katie Pratt
Published on Feb. 4, 2022

University of Kentucky agricultural engineers share how their engineering backgrounds influence their livestock farms in a new podcast. 

UK booth to highlight tornado resilience at National Farm Machinery Show

By Katie Pratt
Published on Feb. 2, 2022

As the agriculture world’s eyes turn to Louisville in the coming weeks, the University of Kentucky Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering is using the opportunity to highlight the resiliency of Western Kentuckians who are continuing to deal with the aftermath of the Dec. 10 tornados that ravaged much of the area. 

Fall 2021 Dean's List Includes 991 Engineering Students

Published on Jan. 24, 2022

To make a Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher and must have earned 12 credits or more in that semester, excluding credits earned in pass-fail classes.

AEN-165: Improving Cow Paths

By Steve Higgins
Published on Dec. 17, 2021

The energy expended by a large animal traveling on a slope can be tremendous. To compensate, grazing animals create trails, which run parallel to a slope. These trails allow animals to graze the upper slope, while standing on flat ground, which provides energy and grazing efficiencies.

AEN-164: Reprogramming a Tobacco Barn to Hay Storage and Self-Feeding: An Eden Shale Case Study

By Steve Higgins
Published on Nov. 4, 2021

Many farms contain buildings that were productive long ago but contribute little to the farming operation today. A good example is a tobacco barn on a farm that no longer grows the crop.

Consider drying remaining corn crop

By Katie Pratt
Published on Oct. 7, 2021

High energy costs and wet weather have delayed the harvest of what is expected to be a record corn crop for the state. To preserve yield and quality, a University of Kentucky agricultural engineer is recommending producers consider harvesting and mechanically drying corn still left in the field.  

AEN-161: Planning and Designing Suburban-Urban Poultry Housing in Kentucky

By James Ash and Steve Higgins
Published on Sep. 29, 2021

Interest in suburban-urban poultry keeping continues to increase. The main reasons for keeping poultry are for eggs and meat, and to address food sustainability or security issues. Poultry are also enjoyed as pets, for ornamental purposes, and providing enjoyment.