Author: Teresa Rogers
Major Program: Grain Crops
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many programs, included the KATS program which was designed to provide in-person, hands-on trainings. As guidelines and regulations developed, it became apparent we would not be able to have the remainder our trainings that were planned for the 2020 growing season. To continue to provide needed information, we began to compose and assemble short videos which came together as Coffee KATS: Agriculture information in the time it takes to get a cup of c
The Kentucky Agriculture Training School first evolved in 2016 as a program to provide up to date hands-on trainings to small groups of consultants, county agents, industry representatives, and producers. The program has grown and has room to continue to grow and improve. In order for this program to reach its full potential, it was decided that we should develop an Advisory Committee to help steer the program in the direction that is needed. We developed a list of potential committe
Author: Colette Laurent
UK Grain Crops Group has found an informational sweet spot for its newly released Corn and Soybean Newsletters. It falls somewhere between a tweet and a blog post and provides educational information and resources that aid growers and consultants in management decision. Grain Crop Extension Specialists and researchers provide timely articles that are combined into an easy to read format. The newsletters are then electronically mailed to a distribution list, Ag and Natural resource agents a
Historically the annual field day provides growers, consultants, agribusiness and extension personal from Ky and surrounding states a unique opportunity to learn about ongoing research and ask questions concerning timely issues that affect the wheat production.The CORONA 19 Virus did not stop the activities in the field for farmer.Agriculture was deemed essential during the Pandemic.However, in person Field days and meetings were not considered essential.Because much of the information presented
Author: Samantha Anderson
As grain markets continue to see price volatility, producers must make conscious decisions to decrease input costs while maximizing yield. In cooperation with Purchase area agents, McCracken County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Samantha Anderson, identified the need to address these trends and their impact to local producersThe 2020 Annual Winter Agricultural Conference consisted of multiple presentations focused on grain pest and disease management along with discussion
Author: Patrick Hardesty
Taylor County ranks 35th in the state for grain production with approximately 13,500 acres of corn harvested for grain. Approximately 6,000 acres have fungicides applied by helicopter.In cooperation with the Adair County Extension Office and U.K Plant Pathologist, a fungicide efficiency trial was conducted using a drone for application.Using water sensitive strips to test for coverage, it appeared to have better coverage than helicopters. The fungicide application by the drone improv
After the introduction of glyphosate in the mid 1970’s, it was primarily used as a burndown herbicide in corn and soybeans. Since the introduction of Roundup Ready crops in 1996, glyphosate has been used widely for burndown and in-crop weed control with the increase in use and many dropping pre-emerge herbicides from their weed control program weeds have become resistant. Two weeds, palmer amaranth and waterhemp, were identified as resistant in 2005. These pigweeds are v
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Industrial hemp was re-introduced to Kentucky in 2014 through the Farm Bill’s new pilot program. By 2019, over 1,000 growers planted over 24,000 acres of hemp in Kentucky. This new crop, grown primarily for cannabinoid production, is different from the fiber varieties that were common through the mid-1900s. Thus, growers are challenged with agronomic issues and pest problems, as well as market instability. In efforts to assist growers and provide them with unbiased
Author: Chad Lee
Farmers are adding irrigation systems for corn production. Several colleagues and I have been conducting some initial research on irrigation but thought our information was too thin. However, our irrigation workshop was attended by farmers with as many as 20 or more years of experience and some as little as 5 years of experience. They all said they learned more about irrigation at the workshop and encouraged us to continue working on irrigation.
We cut the ribbon to officially open the renovated and expanded building at Grain and Forage Center of Excellence at the Research and Education Center. Well over 300 partners attended the Ribbon Cutting in a culmination of years of collaboration. This is an intermediate outcome such that the new facilities will allow faculty and staff to continue and expand our partnerships and fulfill the Land Grant Mission.
Author: Beau Neal
Sometimes for farmers, it can be very difficult to navigate the details of the farm bill and how it relates to their ARC/PLC payments through the FSA office. Decisions on which coverage to take can hinge greatly on the current market situation and/or outlook. Different circumstances require different choices to be made, and payments can vary significantly if the wrong choice is made. This program is geared towards grain farmers with corn and soybeans. It will help farmers
Author: Philip Konopka
Small grain production is mainly focused on cover crops in our area with a limited number of acres harvested for grain and straw. This trend is increasing due to the demand for cover crop seed. In 2020, we saw a historical freeze late in the season that damaged the small grain crops, severely hurting the yield potential resulting in the need for management plans to be altered for the remaining crop production. Two separate freeze events occurred on April 15-16 with temperatures
Author: Edwin Ritchey
We started a new video series to address specific topics related to crop production. These videos are typically short, focused and easily transitioned to other videos of similar topics. These videos can be referenced for specific questions to help agents and other educators. More will be added as time allows.
KATS was developed with the intention of being a very hands-on training series where specialists work with attendees to provide trainings and have them put these new skills, practices, or instruments to use in a field setting. The half day winter meetings are still hands-on as able, but more of a classroom type setting where the participants get very in-depth information on specific topics. The first training was February 18 and had good interaction and participation. We had a hybrid meeting whe
Author: Chuck Flowers
Farm Bill Choices Carlisle County farmers like other farmers were trying to decide which farm bill options would give them the most revenue protection. As a result of Extension meetings producers were able to increase their knowledge on the Farm Bill sign-up options. Before the meeting 44% of the producers surveyed had a low level of knowledge about their choices. After the meeting 90% felt they gained a high level of knowledge about the farm bill options. Of the producers attending the me
Author: Tad Campbell
Small grain production is mainly focused on cover crops in our area with a limited number of acres harvested for grain and straw. This trend is increasing due to the demand for cover crop seed. In 2020, we saw a historical freeze late in the season that damaged the small grain crops, severely hurting the yield potential resulting in the need for management plans to be altered for the remaining crop production. Two separate freeze events occurred on April 15-16 wi
Author: David Appelman
Author: Robert Smith
During this cropping year, a great deal of time was dedicated to educating clients on proper weed management strategies and pesticide safety. It was in 2018 that two very nasty weeds began to emerge for the first time in our county that are resistant to the traditional cropping herbicide tools. Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp have been wreaking havoc in the midwest for a few years and have just now begun to be a problem for our farmers. Many hours were spent both individually and
