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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StorySoil Testing



Soil Testing

Author: Paul Sizemore

Planning Unit: Owsley County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Farm Profitablity

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

 

With the high prices of fertilizer in the last few years it has been financially difficult for many forage Producers to apply the proper nutrients to the soil to maximize yield and improve quality of their hay, this has led to a steady decline in the quality and yield of the forages they're producing therefore affecting the health of the herd they're feeding it to.

Numerous classes were conducted to provide a more detailed explanation into soil testing to our Forage Producers.. Soil Testing can give the producers a measuring stick to see exactly how much fertilizer each field will need and help them to find the most economical way to improve the quality and yield of their forages. 55 producers tested their soil and many discovered that they had inadvertently carried off a large amount of nutrients with each hay crop they harvested therefore leading to very low levels of the main nutrients needed.

As result of soil testing and applying fertilizer based on the soil test recommendations and by adding Legumes into the mixture producers saw a huge increase in yield and quality this year. One producers has reported almost a 200% increase in yield and by doing a Forage Sample to test quality he has been successful in selling all of his hay at a premium price. Another Producer has reported an almost 300% increase in yield and is now doing Forage Tests to measure quality. All of the producers that have followed the soil test recommendations have reported significant increases in yield and quality. Many are now wanting to have a forage analysis as a follow up.






Stories by Paul Sizemore


Soil Testing

about 2 days ago by Paul Sizemore

With the high prices of fertilizer in the last few years it has been financially difficult for many ... Read More


Hay Testing Program

about 2 days ago by Paul Sizemore

It was another great year for the annual forage testing program and hay contest. We received more... Read More


Stories by Owsley County CES


The Holiday Road Show 2024

The Holiday Road Show 2024

about 3 months ago by Rosa Smith

This year, the Quicksand Area Holiday Road Show brought festive inspiration and practical solutions ... Read More


Pumpkin Jack: Cultivating Curiosity, Traditions, and Community in Owsley County

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about 6 months ago by Carissa Miske

In the fall of 2023, Owsley County 4-H embarked on an exciting journey with the 4th graders at Owsle... Read More


Stories by Forages


Union Co Hay Show

Union Co Hay Show

yesterday by Katie Hughes

Describe the Issue or Situation.Each year the Union Co Extension Office host a hay show during the c... Read More


Resources for Using the County’s Shared-Use No-Till Drill

Resources for Using the County’s Shared-Use No-Till Drill

about 7 days ago by Rebecca Konopka

Describe the Issue or Situation.The Carter County Soil Conservation District rents out a Great Plain... Read More