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: Garrard Coffey
Analyzing soil has multiple benefits for the farmer and home gardener and makes them more productive. It helps the producer know the exact amendments needed, and what kind of nutrients the soil needs to make their plants more efficient. This, for example, can make the vegetable grower more profit or the home garden more productive for preserving their fresh harvest.The Rockcastle County Extension service and Rockcastle County Conservation District collaborate to offer free soil testing for
Author: Joshua McGrath
Over the course of the last year several farmers contacted me, either directly, or through their county extension agents about precision seeding and nutrient management. Specifically, they were looking for guidance on how to create management zones. We created an informal peer group where the farmers could share ideas and questions with me and each other. Gene Hahn and I developed tutorial videos for the farmers using their data on how to develop management zones using free statistical and geogr
Author: Edwin Ritchey
Raul Villanueva and graduate students in his program have worked closely with the Amish community in Cerulean, KY. They are mainly interested in production practices for vegetable production but also grain crops and hay. Izabela Gomes and Yaziri Gonzalez were the main organizers of the meeting. There were approximately 30 Amish producers in attendance and they paid close attention and asked many questions. They were very interested in the use of cover crops and animal manures. Based on input and
Author: Jessica Barnes
A producer called asking if any of the tobacco diseases that we are familiar with will transfer or contaminate industrial hemp if planted following a tobacco crop. He was specifically concerned with Black Shank in tobacco transferring or infecting industrial hemp. I reached out to Nicole Gauthier to see if she knew if there was any correlation between heavily infested Black Shank fields and diseased hemp. She was unaware of any research that had been done in this area to prove
Author: Sarah Fannin
In a world of skyrocketing input prices for farming, we often sacrifice basic agronomic principles for flashier promises of quick or cheaper returns. Two recent stories from Morgan County forage producers highlight how simple tests saved them thousands of dollars. One hay farmer tested his soil for the first time – his results concluded that no amendments were needed. When asked how he normally fertilized his 35 acres, he replied that 1 ton of 19-19-19 was spread each yea
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 again to receive a grant to provide free soil testing
Author: Robert Amburgey
The Bath County Extension service and the Bath County Natural Resources Conservation Service conducted a joint field day on September 13th. The field day focused on 3 main topics - profitable forages, small fruit production in high tunnels and soil health. Even though various topics were presented, all of the speakers emphasized the importance of soil and nutrient management in their presentations. Soils and nutrient management are the basis of all of our crop production
