The 2022 census of agriculture revealed Daviess County had the greatest amount of income from soybeans and corn in Kentucky at $195,239,000.  The majority of annual crop sales revenue is from soybeans, with more than 110,000 acres planted annually in Daviess County.  Soybean acres are expected to be substantially greater and corn acres expected to be substantially less in 2024 due to the price of corn sliding slower in the past 18 months.  The anticipation of soybean profitability being the major driver of farm profitability in 2024 led extension leadership to request focus of educational programming to be on soybean production and marketing.  More than 25 farmers attended a daylong Soybean Success School in February.  The goal was to provide education pertaining to general soybean agronomy, fertility, diseases management and marketing/risk management.  

Invited participants of this program included grain farmers at risk of significant loss in 2024 if they continue current return on investment farming practices.  Likewise, crop consultants and industry firms who supply the farm businesses were invited to join us to be able to share the information presented with their farmer clients.  

The primary partners in this program were the University of Kentucky Extension specialists, Extension agents and the participants.  Clientele in attendance received the most up to date research based information direct from UK extension specialists who spoke on out agronomic recommendations for soybean production in Kentucky.  Soybean seedling and foliar disease prevention and management in Kentucky, including soybean cyst nematode.  Soybean fertility recommendations including pH management and comparisons of dry fertilizer to foliar nutrition programs.  The soybean profit outlook, 2024 marketing year price expectations and how to implement a successful marketing plan was discussed.