Lyon County CES

Title:

Crop Production

MAP:

Crop Production Systems

Agents Involved:

Susan Fox

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grain Crops

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Tobacco

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Soils

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Forages

Situation:

Farming continues to improve and test new technologies at a rapid pace. Discerning which of these is profitable to an operation can be difficult. Evaluating areas that hold back production and/or profitability continues to be a necessity. Extension in Lyon County will work with local grain crop, forage producers and tobacco farmers on production practices, use of cover crops.The Greenseeker technology has potential for increasing wheat yields but users have had issues with the technology.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize profits for commercial ag producer

Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems

Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices

Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopt usage of new technology for crop production

Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production

Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds

Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations

Implementation of on-farm trials

Evaluation of long-term use and economics of various cover crops and soil properties.

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production

Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production

Increase understanding of production regulations

Understanding BioTech traits

Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials

Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production

Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products

Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Understanding of production practice recommendations, use of UK diagnostic services.

Indicator: Farmer responses, number of lab soil, insect and disease submissions.

Method: Survey

Timeline: 2019-2020

Intermediate Outcome: Practices implemented. Number of producers adopting fertility recommendations based on Greenseeker results.

Indicator: Actual fertilizer applications.

Method: Observation, surveys, discussions with farmers.

Timeline: 2019- spring 2020

Long-term Outcome: Sustainability of county farms, use of on-farm trials. Increased wheat yields.

Indicator: Practices implemented, on-farm trials initiated.

Method: Observation, discussion, on-farm trials and surveys

Timeline: 2019-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Grain Crop Update.

Content or Curriculum: Fertility, planting guidelines, genetic engineering, other inputs.

Inputs: Specialists, UK publications, field days, ag advisory councils.

Date:  Feb 2020

Audience: Tobacco Producers

Project or Activity: GAP Training for Farmers and H2A Workers

Content or Curriculum: Varieties, production practices, pesticide safety, etc.

Inputs: Specialists, guest speakers, ag advisory councils

Date: August, 2019