Success StoryKY Producers Trained to Scout Freeze Damage in Small Grains
KY Producers Trained to Scout Freeze Damage in Small Grains
Author: Carrie Knott
Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences
Major Program: Grains
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
In 2021 freezing temperatures occurred that could have resulted in spring freeze damage in KY’s small grains crops. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event. Within the past 5 years, there have been two significant freeze events: 2017 and 2020. Significant damage occurred in 2020. However, all other years freeze damage did not reduce grain yield. The “success” of the 2021 freeze event demonstrates both short and long term success. In the short term, consultants, crop scouts, county agents, and producers were able to quickly determine that freeze damage did not occur. In the long term, these same groups were already prepared and knowledgeable on how to assess freeze damage in small grains. This is due in large part to the considerable efforts in 2017 and 2020 by Grain Crop Specialists to teach and develop visual resources to assess freeze damage. In addition, these freeze events have provided an opportunity for an estimated yield loss to be assigned rather than a subjective rating of Minor, Moderate, Severe freeze damage, which will be of great benefit to KY producers.
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