Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Soil testing
Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.Many West Louisville residents continue to struggle with health issues that can be contributed to low income, lack of sufficient housing, transportation, and access to healthy food and medical services. One issue that I’ve become more interested in, is the hist
Author: Matthew Adams
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: Carol Hinton
Its time to watch your P’s and K’sFarmers were warned of increasing input costs in late 2021. Many farmers in the area and the county rely on soil testing to predict fertilizer inputs for the upcoming year. Our county continually sends in over 2,000 soil tests to the lab at the University of Kentucky. The history of soil testing on many farms in the county goes back at least 30 years. I have charted the results comparing the same fields year after year, test
Author: Colby Guffey
In March of 2022 soil samples were sent to the UK soils lab for a local cow/calf producer to determine amount of fertilizer needed for hay in pasture growth. After receiving the soil results back the ANR Agent, having previous knowledge of the producers’ fields and fertilizer practices, something was amiss. The fields were showing major deficiency in P and K and the fertilizer recommendation was much higher than what the producer had been previously applying. Having seve
Author: Nick Roy
In 2022, fertilizer prices increased nearly three-fold compared to 2021. The increase in prices brought attention to the need to use both fertilizers and animal manures effectively to grow crops. In Adair County, a large amount of animal manure is produced annually from beef, dairy, and poultry operations. During the winter of 2022, multiple educational programs were held addressing grain producers, dairy and beef cattle producers, and poultry producers. Strategies were s
Author: David Coffey
In continuation of an existing program, the Jackson county agriculture agent has partnered with the Jackson county soil conservation district to offer free soil testing services once again. In a year like 2022, when fertilizer prices are at record highs, soil testing and correct nutrient application are more important than ever. This year with, in addition to the soil testing services, the Jackson county agriculture agent has offered three programs about fertilizer and soil testing to help produ
Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.Soil testing continues to be of great interest to many residents, urban growers, non-profits, and government agencies in Louisville Metro. Recently, the Extension Ag Agent received 4 requests to review and test soil on utility easements, open privately owned spaces,
Author: Chadwick Conway
As the new year of 2022 began, Eastern Kentucky still was dealing with concerning high levels of Covid-19 throughout our region. The Knott County Agriculture Natural Resource Agent began looking at ways to entice gardeners to begin preparing for this years garden season. The Agent advertised free pea seeds to those that brought in a soil sample. Soil health is very important for gardeners, but many never have a soil analysis completed to see the actual need of their soil. As man
Author: Lyndall Harned
I have been working with a young farmer over the past few years, making visits and advising as he has grown his operation. He has attended very few offered programs due to his off-farm work. But lately he has attended a couple since he is seeing benefits from doing so. I have also been advising him to have soil tests done on his hay, pasture, corn, and bean fields, but he never wanted, or been able, to take the time. He just guessed at what his crops needed and applied accordingly. Well, th
