The Bracken County Extension Service hosted a field day for all of the Bracken County High School Ag Classes to get hands on experience evaluating the Grain Crop at the industrial park.  In order to make the grain project more than just a fund raiser, the host farm store wanted the kids to gain knowledge about growing grain.  

Each class was divided up into teams to evaluate the following items, including yield estimate, disease identification and evaluation, weed identification, and insect identification.  

By using math and applying data to formulas, the yield estimate team determined the average yield estimates for the crop.  They also determined that due to stress on the crop, tip fill hurt the yield.  The disease identification team verified grey leaf spot was present, but in a low level and some rust was identified, but could not tell if it was common rust or southern rust.  They determined that leaf diseases were low across the plot.  Weed control was very good for the most part with some vines identified as morning glories in the small growth stage.  Marestail was identified around the edges of the field and this was to be noted for the soybean crop next year.  The main insect that was detrimental to the crop was corn ear worm as significant bird damage was evident and determined to be most likely due to the presence of corn ear worms.  A final summary will be compiled by the classes and this information will be presented to the farm supply store board of directors and the information will be used to help manage the crops in the subsequent years.