Author: Matthew Adams
Major Program: Soils
The success of any crop requires planning and efficient use of all required resources. One of the most important resources in agriculture is fertilizer. Whether it is applied through a commercial product or an organic source such as animal manure, a baseline is needed to enable the producer to efficiently and economically apply any type of fertilizer. Soil testing is the only way to accurately set up this baseline.The soil testing program in Hardin County has been free to resident
Author: Edwin Ritchey
ZenaidaViloria and others from the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton, KYwere awarded a grant to instruct 4th and 5th graders fromCaldwell County and Lyon County on sustainable agronomic practices they can usein their daily lives. Approximately 130 students from Lyon County and 220students from Caldwell County participated in the program and met three times,twice at UKREC and once at their school. UKREC participation included staff andspecialist representing Horticulture, Entomology,
Many privatesoil testing labs routinely recommend the addition of sulfur for cropproduction. However, the soil test used (e.g. Mehlich 3) is not correlated or calibratedfor crop response in Kentucky or surrounding states. One focus of my research programhas been sulfur fertility work in row crops (corn and wheat) and alfalfa. Tissuesurveys were conducted over a four-year period for wheat and alfalfa encompassedthe majority of Kentucky for wheat and alfalfa did not show strong evidencethat sulfur
Author: Brad Lee
Researchers at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment are beginning on-farm studies to look at which Natural Resources Conservation Service’s practices work best for Kentucky grain farms. In the project called Blue Water Farms which is funded by the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board and the USDA NRCS, UK researchers Brad Lee, Erin Haramoto, Mark Akland (PSS), Dwayne Edwards (BAE) and Glynn Beck with the Kentucky Geological Survey evaluate best manageme
Author: Kathryn Wimberley
SITUATION: People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air that we breathe, to the water that we drink, to the soil that we use for food production- these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it is important that we care for and respect these resources.Success Story In the fall of 2017, the Agent for Horticulture for McCracken County, who is also covering the ANR Agent position, worked to follow through on the idea of a fr
Author: Reed Graham
I went to my first Breathitt County soil conservation meeting where I expressed my need for help fund soil samples for an upcoming program. With some conversation they agreed to pay for all of my program participants soil samples. They told me that they couldn't remember anyone every coming to ask them to pay for samples before so I felt very good about taking time to ask for a little help.
Author: David Coffey
Soil testing is one of the most important management tools for an agriculture operation. It ensures that producers apply the nutrients needed, without wasting money on excess nutrients. Jackson County had only 64 soil test analysis in 2016. With a clear need for more people to utilize this management tool, the Jackson county agriculture agent worked closely with the Jackson County Conservation District and Jackson County Kentucky Farm Bureau to receive a grant to provide free soil testing in Jac
Author: Robert Marsh
Rowan County has over $2 million in crop sales (predominately corn and soybeans) and over $2 million in animal sales (predominately cattle and calves) annually. In addition, the population of Rowan County has continued to grow with non-farming households. In order to protect surface and ground water the Rowan County Extension office sponsored a Soil Testing Promotion program intended to increase awareness and benefits of soil testing. Soil testing is a fundamental practice that can p
