The 2025 Kentucky Crop Health Conference, held on February 6 at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, drew approximately 100 participants. According to a recent survey of attendees, the conference represented over half a million acres of corn, soybean, and wheat in KY, with an estimated impact of $7.1 million. Most respondents indicated that, based on the information received, attending the conference was worth more than $20 per acre. Additionally, nearly 90 percent of respondents reported that, based on the information presented, they planned to make or recommend changes to their own or others' crop protection systems. This event highlights the importance and economic value of UK pest management research in Kentucky. Conference organizers plan to repeat the event in 2026.  

Recognizing farmers’ needs and providing them with the latest research-based data on pest management strategies was the primary goal of the Kentucky Crop Health Conference. The conference featured the latest research results from the University of Kentucky, along with insights from extension experts across the United States, including Dr. Justin McMechan, entomologist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Dr. Alyssa Essman, weed specialist at The Ohio State University; and Dr. Wade Webster, plant pathologist at North Dakota State University. This combination of research-based presentations offered farmers in the Commonwealth a broader perspective on pest management challenges.