Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop Production
Crop Production
Susan Fox
Grains
Integrated Pest Management
Chemical Management
There were 219 Lyon County farms in 2012. Crop sales make up 78% of the market value of agriculture products sold. Grain crop farmers face challenges from climate change, from diseases and insects, high input costs, wildlife damage. Technology changes offer opportunities and increase efficiencies.
- Farmers will follow pesticide labels and maintain application records for 3 years.
- Improved soybean/corn yields or no soybeans planted in high SCN fields.
- Resistant weeds, diseases and insects managed. Resistance delayed.
- Maximize profits for commercial ag producer.
- Minimize environmental impact of air, soil or living area.
- Improve sustainability of crop production systems.
- Producers implementing IPM practices.
- Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals.
- Farmers will make soybean/corn field management decisions for nematodes when soil nematode samples are high.
- Farmers rotate chemicals and utilize best practices.
- Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds.
- Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production.
- Adopt use of new technology for crop production.
- Awarenness of SCN or corn nematode levels in specific fields.
- Awareness of record-keeping requirements and pesticide label information. Identify active ingreients in crop related ag products.
- Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.
- Increase non-farm awareness of bio-technology, organic and conventional grain crop production.
- Sampling and surveying of disease, insect and weed issues in crops to assist farmers with decisions and specialists with research.
Initial Outcome: Fields tested and results to farmers
Indicator: Test results
Method: Soil sampling protocol as designed by specialists.
Timeline: fall and spring
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers changing field management for nematodes
Indicator: Rotation change, resistant crop planted or seed treatments.
Method: Discussions with farmer
Timeline: Spring
Long-term Outcome: Yield improvement in high nematode fields
Indicator: Change from previous years
Method: Farmer records
Timeline: Fall harvest discussions with farmers
Initial Outcome:Non-farm clients learning about GMO's, Organic, Conventional
Indicator: Number of views, likes, participants in webinars.
Method: News articles, webinars, workshops.
Timeline: Summer, winter meetings
Intermediate Outcome: Understanding of GMO's and chemicals
Indicator: Survey results, responses to Facebook postings.
Method: Webinar, articles
Timeline: Summer, winter meetings.
Long-term Outcome: Support of GMO's
Indicator: Client responses
Method: Surveys
Timeline: Summer, winter meetings.
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Private Applicator's Training, Specific Chemical Training
Content or Curriculum :KDA/UK curriculum and videos
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals (agents, specialists), Publications, Research Information, Diagnostic Centers, UK Weather Center, Commodity Associations (ex: Soybean Board, Corn Growers, Small Grain Growers, State and Federal Agencies (ex: KDA, NRCS, EPA), Ag Advisory Councils, Farmers/Producers,
Date: Winter and early spring, as needed.
Audience: Grain Crop Updates
Project or Activity: Production Updates and Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Latest research and information provided by Grain Crops Team. Updates through the year as needed by farmers.
Inputs: Webinars and evening meetings, UK publications, survey, newsletters, Facebook postings, text messages.
Date: Annual winter trainings. Information as it is available.
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Research Assistance
Content or Curriculum: Entomology, Diseases, Soils, Fertility, Nematodes
Inputs: Farm approvals, assist with sites
Date: Spring, Fall as programs dictate or requested by specialists
Author: Susan Fox
Major Program: Integrated Pest Management
Fall armyworms took Lyon County by surprise this year with numbers not seen since the 70’s. The high numbers caused complete losses in tefft hay, and many soybean and alfalfa acres. Areas as large as 60 acres were eaten down to stems. Outbreaks on lawns were reported also. Upon receiving a call about a tefft field wipeout from a local farmer, the agent began contacting other local farmers by text and phone, advising them to begin scouting. The local UK Extension Entomologist, Dr. Raul Vill
