Kentucky agricultural cash receipts could approach or possibly exceed $6 billion in 2013, boosted by exceptionally strong equine, poultry and cattle markets, according to agricultural economists from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment.

PhDs, Will Snell, Kenny Burdine, Cory Walters and Tim Woods, all from UK’s Department of Agricultural Economics, shared their agricultural economic outlook for 2014 and an overview of 2013 during the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation conference Dec. 5 in Louisville.

Official U.S. Department of Agriculture 2013 cash receipts won’t be released until summer 2014 .Based on recent sales figures, it appears the upward trajectory in equine receipts experienced in 2011 and 2012 continued in 2013.

“The increase in sales figures during the fall sales indicate the market is continuing to rebound from post-recession lows,” Burdine said. “Continued strong sales and likely increases in stud fees next year should support the market