Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2025Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Supporting the Specialty Crops Workforce with Translated Resources
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Over 3,500 orchards and vegetable farms in Kentucky span over 10,000 acres with an annual market value of nearly $82M. On both large and small farms, the agricultural workforce extends beyond English-language individuals. In a survey of specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, ornamental) farmers, 88% indicated that they employ H2-A workers who require resources in Spanish. While most pest management resources were focused on decision-makers, there were limited resources for non-English
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High Tunnel Tomato Shortcourse: A Virtual How-To Series
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
High tunnels continue to gain popularity across Kentucky, with nearly 2,000 high tunnels in the commonwealth to date. High tunnels help extend the growing season and are typically used to produce crops early or late in the season; spring/summer tomatoes are one of the most profitable crops grown in high tunnels in Kentucky. However, production and pest management in high tunnels is vastly different from field production. As growers transition to high tunnels, they require additional
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In the Weeds with IPM allows for shared observations and latest updates in pest management
Author: Kiersten Wise
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Pest management issues can emerge quickly and affect all of Kentucky’s 120 counties similarly or differently. University of Kentucky pest management extension specialists initiated an additional forum with county agricultural extension agents to keep a reciprocal dialogue open, complete with updates and observations from across the Commonwealth. The forum, a bi-weekly Zoom call with county agents, referred to as In the Weeds with IPM, is held near the start of each planting seaso
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Grain Crop Pest Management Research has Value to Kentucky Farmers
Author: Kiersten Wise
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Over half a million acres impacting an estimated $7.1 million. That’s the results from a recent survey of participants attending the 2025 Kentucky Crop Health Conference held Feb. 6, at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky.Recognizing farmers need the latest research-based data as they formulate their pest management strategies, the Kentucky Crop Health Conference is specifically designed to give audiences the latest research and information. The latest University of Kentucky
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University of Kentucky Crop Pest Management Webinars gain loyal audience
Author: Kiersten Wise
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Managing stink bugs in soybeans, maximizing disease control and return on investment for corn fungicides, improving herbicide applications, and the management of important wheat diseases in Kentucky. These topics highlighted the 2024 Fall Crop Protection Series organized by The University of Kentucky Grain Crops Integrated Pest Management group. The 4-week webinar series held in October and November of 2024 was designed to provide stakeholders with researched-based information presented by a dif
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Tar spot management recommendations save farmers money
Author: Kiersten Wise
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
The disease tar spot, caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis, was first discovered in the United States in 2015. Since 2015, tar spot has become a major corn disease in the Midwest, causing yield losses up to 60 bushels per acre in fields where it is established. The disease was confirmed in Kentucky in 2021, and has spread throughout the Commonwealth, but has not yet caused yield loss. Kentucky’s climate is not optimal for tar spot development, and it often is diagnosed late in the
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2025 IPM For Specialty Crops Lunch and Learn Webinar Series (Train the Trainer Program)
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Kentucky farmers produce a wide range of specialty crops, such as vegetables and fruit. In 2017, cash receipts for fruit and vegetable production totaled $41.6 million (National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission). Direct sales make up a more than 50% of produce sales in the state (National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission), which allows for improved access to local foods. In addition, many home gardeners also grow their own fruit and v
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Grain Crop Pest Management Research has Value to Kentucky Farmers
Author: Carl Bradley
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Title: Grain Crop Pest Management Research has Value to Kentucky Farmers Over half a million acres impacting an estimated $7.1 million. That’s the results from a recent survey of participants attending the 2025 Kentucky Crop Health Conference held Feb. 6, at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky.Recognizing farmers need the latest research-based data as they formulate their pest management strategies, the Kentucky Crop Health Conference is specifically designed to g
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In the Weeds with IPM allows for shared observations and latest updates in pest management
Author: Carl Bradley
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
2024 Success Story – In the Weeds with IPM Title: In the Weeds with IPM allows for shared observations and latest updates in pest managementPest management issues can emerge quickly and affect all of Kentucky’s 120 counties similarly or differently. University of Kentucky pest management extension specialists initiated an additional forum with county agricultural extension agents to keep a reciprocal dialogue open, complete with updates and observations from across the Commonwea
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University of Kentucky Crop Pest Management Webinars gain loyal audience
Author: Carl Bradley
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
University of Kentucky Crop Pest Management Webinars gain loyal audienceManaging stink bugs in soybeans, maximizing disease control and return on investment for corn fungicides, improving herbicide applications, and the management of important wheat diseases in Kentucky. These topics highlighted the 2024 Fall Crop Protection Series organized by The University of Kentucky Grain Crops Integrated Pest Management group. The 4-week webinar series held in October and November of 2024 was designed to p
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Finding new tools for management of red crown rot of soybean
Author: Carl Bradley
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Finding new tools for management of red crown rot of soybean Red crown rot of soybean is a new disease for Kentucky soybean farmers. It was found for the first time in Kentucky in 2021 and is currently known to be in three counties. Research conducted by the Bradley Lab at the University of Kentucky found that red crown rot can cause up to a 60% yield loss in soybean. With all known soybean varieties being susceptible to this disease, limited management options exist for soybean farmers.&nb
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Increasing awareness and active management of soybean cyst nematode, the most destructive pathogen of soybean in the United States
Author: Carl Bradley
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most destructive soybean pathogen in the United States. In 2024, the soybean cyst nematode caused an estimated loss of over 89 million bushels in the U.S., with an estimated loss of over 3 million bushels in Kentucky. These bushels lost were worth over $900 million in the U.S. and over $32 million in Kentucky. Raising awareness and testing for SCN in fields are the first steps in managing this important pathogen of soybean. Dr. Carl Bradley&rsqu
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