Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Ivelin Denev
Major Program: Grain Crops
The problemIn December of 2014, Hardin County helped plan and hosted an "Early Bird Grain Meeting" with University of Kentucky Specialists. Topics included "Slowing Down Herbicide Resistance", "Irrigation for Corn and Soybean", "Maximizing N from Manure and Fertilizer applications", "Grain Crop Profitability", "Commodity Prices, Crop Insurance and the Farm Bill", and "Sudden Death Syndrome Management in Soybean". Attenda
Author: Raul Villanueva
Major Program: Grain Crops
In this project there was a collaborative effort between the faculty of the Department of Entomology from Princeton (Villanueva), Lexington (Obricky and Bessin), County Extension Agents from Trigg (Graham Cofield) and Monroe (Ken Johnson) counties, and Amish farmers in both locations (Cerulean and Vernon Communities). The sugarcane aphid is a devastating invasive pest species that in 2014 and 2015 almost wipe out many sweet sorghum fields in many areas of the USA. Kentucky is the main producer o
Author: Raul Villanueva
Major Program: Grain Crops
TThis project was conducted thanks to the support of the Kentucky Small Grain Promotion Council (KSGPC). The study monitored for endemic and an invasive species aphids. The invasive species was not found in Kentucky yet, however in two location aphid populations grew exponentially in spite of several insecticide applications. Visiting both sites (in Logan and Christian Counties) we found that a natural occurring entomopathogenic fungus was able to stop the aphid population. A possible resistance
Author: Raul Villanueva
Major Program: Grain Crops
Mr. Muhammad Asif Qayyoum visited the Princeton’s REC from April to October 2016 (six months) to fulfill one of the requisites to complete his Doctoral Program in Pakistan. He completed this research evaluating the effects of Bio-solids, Poultry and Swine Manure Amendments on Population Densities of Soil Mites on Corn and Wheat Fields in Western Kentucky. He found that under poultry manure soil mites had larger population compared to Swine > Biosolids > Synthetic fertilizers > unt
Author: Edwin Ritchey
Major Program: Grain Crops
Specialists, researchers, and support staff came together tocreate a wheat field school training series with funding from Kentucky SmallGrain Growers Association. This program is not a field day type setting, rathera hands-on training where participants take measurements, make management decisions,and have to problem solve issues involving wheat production. We have completedtwo of the three trainings to date that covered topics wheat managers wouldcontend with during green-up and at pre-flower.
Author: Edwin Ritchey
Major Program: Grain Crops
Specialists, researchers, and support staff planned andexecuted a meeting to discuss potential issues much of Kentucky and surroundingstates would have to deal with concerning low temperatures that could havenegatively affected wheat growth and yield. This meeting was planned and conductedin one week from the time the freeze event occurred. We had participants from Kentuckyand four surrounding states. There were approximately 120 program participantsat UKREC and an additional 50 remote sites tha
Author: Edwin Ritchey
Major Program: Grain Crops
Thisprogram was developed to provide solid agronomic and economic information forpoultry litter use to producers so that this valuable resource can bestutilized and reduce potential negative environmental effects. Two agronomistsand an economist covered the most important decisions that need to beconsidered prior to purchasing and application. This program has been presentedto multiple counties in Kentucky and in out-of-state venues in Indiana andMaryland.
Author: Ivelin Denev
Major Program: Grain Crops
The problemLivingston County is largely a river county; it has the Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee rivers that flow through it. This makes our county a little different than other counties as far as row crop and forage production is concerned. Our county’s most fertile and productive soils are in the river bottoms that generally flood twice a year. Our upland soils generally have steep slopes and shallow soils more suited for livestock production. Having said this, the sale of farm
Author: Ivelin Denev
Major Program: Grain Crops
The problemAt the request of the county extension agent, I visited a corn field to assess potential yield. The corn was still standing in January, which is very late for a normal year, but not as uncommon this growing season. There was evidence of cattle movement through the field. We assessed potential yield and provided a few suggestions to keep the loss concerns from going to court. The producer was satisfied with our assessment and has initially decided he would prefer to stay out of the cou
Author: Jessica Barnes
Major Program: Grain Crops
Over the years Round-up ready traits in grain crops has led to an increased use of glyphosate which is leading to more and more weeds that are resistant to glyphosate (which is the active ingredient in Round-up). Since this resistance problem is occurring, producers are having a harder time control weeds in grain crops "the way they have always done" which has led chemical companies to develop new traits and products to try to control these glyphosate resistant weeds. One p
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Grain Crops
With 83.53% of the land in all four river counties used for crop production, agriculture holds a strong presence. It was proposed to highlight agriculture in Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, and Hickman County.The first of its kind event, WAVE River Counties AG Day, was held at Fort Jefferson Cross Memorial in Wickliffe on July 13 from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. The theme “Lets Grow With It” was chosen.The WAVE Ag Day was a joint venture including all four county judge executives, the
Author: Daniel Carpenter
Major Program: Grain Crops
The number of acres dedicated to grain crop production in the county continues to grow. Grain seed companies continue to release updated technology through corn and soybean hybrids. Most plot research is performed at company plots, or university plots that are located far from LaRue County. These don’t accurately reflect the conditions and resources here locally to produce relatable results. The LaRue County Cooperative Extension Service, in cooperation with a participating far
Author: Bradley Hagan
Major Program: Grain Crops
Low corn and soybean prices have led farmers to look for other crops to increase profitability of their farms. Non-GMO crops offer premium prices to the farmers that grow them. Union County Extension Services, in collaboration with Consolidated Grain and Barge, held a meeting to discuss non-GMO crop management practices and market opportunities for non-GMO crops in the area. University of Kentucky's Weed Scientist, Travis Legleiter, discussed the biggest agronomic challenge to growing
Author: Camille Lambert
Major Program: Grain Crops
There are many agricultural commodities in Henderson County. In 2017, Henderson County was in the top grain producing counties in the state, and has been for many years. Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for at least the next 3-4 years. With the downward pressure on the agriculture economy, planning details out for the next growing season is essential. The Henderson
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Grain Crops
The spring of 2017 appeared to be questionable at best for the winter wheat crop due to two major freeze events. Although there is only about 1200 acres of wheat in the county, producers utilize it for both grain and straw thus increasing the economic importance of the crop. This agent utilized his knowledge and information from Dr. Carrie Knott, University of Kentucky Grain Crops Specialist to assist producers in ascertaining whether or not the winter wheat crop should be destroyed or add
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Grain Crops
New Guidelines for Farmers –Winter Ag ConferenceThis year our Winter Ag Conference focused on two new chemicals and the new label guidelines for them. With 81% of the land in Carlisle County in row crop along with 91% in Hickman and 63% in Fulton County the new guidelines for Xtendimax Max and Engenia for soybeans will be a choice farmers will have to make again this year. Crop sales just in Carlisle County is $34,054,000. The need for this new information to get out is necessary to our pr
Author: Leann Martin
Major Program: Grain Crops
Over the last six years, the grain prices in south central Kentucky have continued to drop with the average price per bushel of corn falling from $8.31 per bushel during the peak in August 2012, to $3.36 in November 2017. Grain production is a huge part of the local economy in south central Kentucky but with the profit deficits, it has become a major focus for efficiency. With increased efficiency, producers will be able to expand their margins to profits that allow them to continue production.
Author: Curtis Dame
Major Program: Grain Crops
Farm management relies heavily on understanding the costs of production, proper management and utilization of technology and research. For the second year agriculture and natural resource agents from the counties of Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Webster have worked cooperatively with the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation to plan and host the Roots to Riches Agri-preneurial Conference in hopes of promoting increased risk management as well as providing a one-stop shop for lo
Author: Benjamin Rudy
Major Program: Grain Crops
This year our Winter Ag Conference focused on two new chemicals and the new label guidelines for them. With 89% of the land in Fulton County in row crop along with 91% in Hickman and 83% in Carlise County the new guidelines for Xtendimax Max and Engenia for soybeans will be a choice farmers will have to make again this year. Crop sales just in Fulton County is $33,715,000. The need for this new information to get out is necessary to our producers. We teamed up with Adult agriculture educators fr
Author: Curtis Dame
Major Program: Grain Crops
Corn Production in Western Kentucky has been historically management intensive. This statement relies heavily on a high level of management, input and other factors needed to ensure a profitable yield and hopefully profit for producers. One such input that can inflate production prices is the use of nitrogen during the crop season. Hopkins County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources along with one of his data driven producers have focused efforts on improving profitability by ev
Author: Thomas Miller
Major Program: Grain Crops
The current round of the Ballard County Agricultural Investment Program will conclude on July 15, 2018.The Ballard County Ag Development Board allocated $340,000 for the farmers of Ballard County. Sixty eight participants were accepted for a 50% cost share funding with a maximum of $5,000. Numerous investment opportunities were available with the majority of the money spent for precision ag programs, grain and hay storage facilities, and cattle working facilities. Other participants utilized the
Author: Thomas Miller
Major Program: Grain Crops
In the early days of the Ag Development Funds, Ballard County was the first county to develop a precision ag program. It has since been incorporated statewide into the CAIP ( county ag improvement program). In the last 16 years, Ballard County farmers have been able leverage these funds with their own to incorporate some form of precision ag on almost every acre in crop production in the county. In the latest precision ag survey conducted by Tom Miller, Ballard County extension Agent for Ag
Author: Mark Purschwitz
Major Program: Grain Crops
For the first time ever, the Midwest Plan Service MWPS-13 Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook had an entire chapter dedicated to safety and health. Safety and health topics included the following as they applied to or affected safety and health: planning; equipment automation and quality; fall protection; grain condition; reclaim systems; entrapment hazards;planning for possible entry; lockout/tagout; lifelines; machinery; maintenance; dust and chemical hazards; safety around the
Author: Carrie Knott
Major Program: Grain Crops
Soybean seeding rates had increased to levels that greatlyexceeded the University of Kentucky recommendations in recent years. For thepast three to four years, one item that I have included in all soybean relatedtalks and blog/newsletter articles within Kentucky has been reducing seedingrates. I focused my attention on the fact that substantial cost savings couldbe achieved with reduced seeding rates, without a reduction in yield. Basedupon surveys and Kentucky Soybean Yield Contest Entries, the
Author: Curtis Judy
Major Program: Grain Crops
In January, Extension agriculture agents from southwestern Kentucky and north-central Tennessee hosted the fifth Kentucky/Tennessee Grain Conference in Russellville, KY. Agents from Todd and Logan Counties in Kentucky; and Montgomery and Robertson Counties in Tennessee cooperated in this effort, along with specialists from both states. The program included presentations on weed management and dicamba issues; agriculture applications of unmanned aircraft systems (drones); a 2018 grain
Author: Colette Laurent
Major Program: Grain Crops
Keeping grain crop producers, consultants and others in the industry informed on the latest research and relevant management basics is an ongoing challenge. As a group, we provide a variety of educational opportunities and events over the course of the year. One of these is the annual Corn, Soybean & Tobacco Field Day which provides an engaging yet time efficient platform for our diverse team of specialists and researchers to address a variety of issues facing the industry today.As Grain Cro
Author: Colette Laurent
Major Program: Grain Crops
One of the goals of the UK Wheat Science Group is to provide Kentucky Wheat Producers with the best and most current information possible. The challenge is to identify current issues and topics facing producers and find a venue and format that allows for a free flow of information in a concentrated time period. This was accomplished through the UK Winter Wheat Meeting which was held in Hopkinsville Ky. This location is convenient to a large number of producers and included nine presentations cov
Author: Thomas Keene
Major Program: Grain Crops
During the 1800's up until the early 1900's and during World War II, Kentucky led the nation in industrial hemp production. Since then, industrial hemp has been classified as a class one narcotic like its twin, marijuana. During those production periods, hemp was a viable and commercially produced crop that created economic opportunities for farmers as well as other local community businesses and leaders. Since the end of World War II however, production had ceased on a
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Grain Crops
Across Western Kentucky the Four River Counties plant 180,147 acres of soybeans compared to 1,780,000 acres in Kentucky each year (USDA/NASS, 2016). Being able to use chemicals is a must and controlling drift or volatility is very important to a farming program. Dicamba is a chemical that is causing lots of concerns and worry on the part of farm operations and the environment due to volatilization. The Carlisle County Cooperative Extension Service along with Kentucky Department of Agriculture, t
Author: T. Adam Probst
Major Program: Grain Crops
With the decline in tobacco income, producers in Woodford County have been looking for alternative farm enterprises to increase profitability. One crop that has gained some attention is barley for the booming brewing industry. In 2014, the Woodford County Extension Service helped establish various varieties of barley with a cooperating producer. By working closely with the producer using university recommendations, over the last 2 years this producer has been able to increase his profitability p
Author: Linda McClanahan
Major Program: Grain Crops
Grain crops have emerged as an important part of the agriculture industry in Mercer and surrounding counties. ANR agents in these counties partner together to host the Area Grain Meeting each year. Around 80 producers attended the meeting. Survey results found that 87% of respondents gained knowledge. Survey responses also indicated attending this meeting has improved profitability in the past by increasing yield, improving pest control practices and better crop managemen
Author: Timothy Stombaugh
Major Program: Grain Crops
Harvesting is a critical part of grain production. Timely and efficient harvest can greatly increase the amount and quality of grain harvest from the field. There are many new technology advances in modern grain combines, but operators still need to have a fundamental understanding of the harvesting process to optimally utilize modern machinery. A workshop was developed and offered to farmers to help them gain a deeper understanding of combine functionality and adjustments. The farmers that part
Author: Edwin Ritchey
Major Program: Grain Crops
I became theUK representative to the Kentuckiana Certified Crop Advisors Conference in2011, a program that was in place for several years prior to my arrival at UK. Thislongstanding program provides current information for crop production common toKentucky and Indiana agriculture. Approximately 200 CCA’s attend thisconference annually from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Missouri. Themajority of the participants are repeat attendees. I am responsible forcontacting and confirming half of
Author: Edwin Ritchey
Major Program: Grain Crops
We initiateda new training series at UKREC beginning in 2016 to provide real life scenariosfor crop advisors and managers. This training was focused on wheat and is nowbranching out to include other agronomic crops important to Kentuckyagriculture. We offered three trainings each year after the initial debut thatincluded participation from crop advisors, agri-business, governmentalagencies, university employees, and producers from Kentucky and multiplesurrounding states including Tennessee, Miss
Author: Chad Lee
Major Program: Grain Crops
For about five years, we have been discussing options and plans to expand research, teaching and extension capabilities at the Research and Education Center in Princeton, KY. During the spring of 2018, we held our groundbreaking ceremony for that expansion. We successfully received a $15 million grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and are receiving other donations as well. That award was reported in the research grants area, but numerous years of extension activities with vari
Author: Chad Lee
Major Program: Grain Crops
With interest in gorwing rye as a grain crop in Kentucky, two farmers and I traveled to Germany and Poland to learn about rye production. That region is the most productive for rye in the world. They have centuries of experience raising rye. We gained some useful knowledge and ideas on how to make rye work in Kentucky. The trip was heavily subsidized by a major distilling company in Kentucky. We appreciate their partnership in this endeavor.
Author: Chad Lee
Major Program: Grain Crops
We invited the Kentucky Distillery Association to visit Spindletop Farm for a Bourbon Grains Field Day. At this field day, we displayed ancient corn next to modern hybrids. We explained differences between types of corn. We provided them with grain samples of barley and rye from our experiemental research. This was the first field day of this kind by the university. In attendance were grain buyers, master distillers, suppy chain managers and others representing some of the largest distilleries i
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Grain Crops
Collaborators: ANR Agent, Glen Roberts, KSU SFA, Danny Adams, Wayne County Grain Growers, KY Corn Growers, KY Wheat Growers, and KY Soybean Growers, University of KY Grain Yield Contest, USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service, KY Field OfficeWayne Co grain growers are faced with a limited amount of available, suitable land for row cropping. They need to optimize yields and maximize efficiency in order to compete with farmers in other areas who have access to more acres. The Kentucky Extens
Author: Kelsey Mehl
Major Program: Grain Crops
One important way of disseminating information from the University of Kentucky is through the use of extension publications. Since extension publications are available online, it is an easy way for anyone to find information about plant diseases that pertain directly to the area. Since this information is available to the public, it is important to keep this information current and relevant. Over the last year, we have been updating and adding to the Plant Pathology extension publication library
Author: Kelsey Mehl
Major Program: Grain Crops
Historically, wheat has been an important crop to Kentucky. While field days are helpful to get information to larger groups of people, it was felt that a more in-depth training was needed to help make management decisions at critical time periods during the wheat growing season. In order to have these trainings, the Field School was developed at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center. These trainings are more in-depth, and hands-on in order to better educate crop advisors, far
Author: Carl Bradley
Major Program: Grain Crops
Southern rust of corn can be an extremely damaging disease of corn if weather is favorable and if infections occur early enough in the season for yield losses to occur. Although southern rust does not impact corn yields in Kentucky every year, the 2016 growing season was an example of a year where southern rust reduced yields by up to 60 bushels per acre in some fields. Fortunately for Kentucky corn growers, southern rust does not overwinter much in the U.S., but it does survive in sou
Author: Carl Bradley
Major Program: Grain Crops
Fungicide resistance is an issue in grain crops production that is beginning to cause problems for growers trying to manage foliar diseases of grain crops. The biggest challenge has been managing frogeye leaf spot of soybean, due development of resistance to strobilurin fungicides in the causal pathogen, Cercospora sojina.To help get the word out about fungicide resistance, Dr. Bradley has been an important national leader in partnering with key programs and developing extension products that ca
Author: Matthew Adams
Major Program: Grain Crops
On farm, county level research has always been an important aspect of Hardin County Agriculture Extension Programming. One of the longest lasting, most utilized research programs in Hardin County are the Corn and Soybean Variety Trials.As seed companies continue to release more technology through new corn and soybean hybrids, unbiased, local, research based, variety trials that showcase how these new hybrids perform in Hardin County, under our farmer’s own unique growing conditions an
Author: Matthew Adams
Major Program: Grain Crops
In January of 2018, Hardin and Larue Counties Collaborated to host an early pre-season Grain Crops Workshop. UK and NRCS Specialists were brought in to discuss various issues from the previous year, as well as possible issues for the coming season.Dr Raul Vilanueva, UK Entomologist, discussed recent issues with slugs, possible control measures, and causes of slug infestations in grain crops. Dr Vilanueva also talked about why management of these pests is often so difficult. Slugs
Author: Sam McNeill
Major Program: Grain Crops
US farmers and elevator operators have expanded grain drying and storage capacity in recent years to keep pace with increased production. On-farm and commercial storage has grown to 13.2 and 11.1 billion bushels, respectively (205 and 80 million bushels in KY). To help growers effectively manage these systems, agricultural engineers in the U.S., including two from the University of Kentucky, have produced a new edition of the Midwest Plan Service “Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handboo
Author: Sam McNeill
Major Program: Grain Crops
Low-Cost Grain Moisture Meter for Developing CountriesSuccess story by Sam McNeill, Extension Professor in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and Co-PI on two USAID funded projects in Ghana and NigeriaGrain is commonly stored in jute or polyproplyene bags in Africa, Asia, Latin America and many under-developed contries, many of which have environmental conditions that are suitable for mold growth and insect activity throughout the entire year. Current storage losses in many areas are common
Author: Mattea Mitchell
Major Program: Grain Crops
Our annual Winter Ag Conference focused on two new chemicals and the new label guidelines for them. With 89% of the land in Fulton County in row crop along with 91% in Hickman and 83% in Carlise County the new guidelines for Xtendimax Max and Engenia for soybeans will be a choice farmers will have to make again this year. Crop sales just in Hickman County is $56,841,000. The need for this new information to get out is necessary to our producers. We teamed up with Adult agriculture educators from
