An EF-4 tornado destroyed decades of infrastructure and millions of dollars in equipment, reducing one of the state’s key agricultural assets to rubble. Now, three years after the storm, the Western Kentucky center is rebuilding and becoming better than before.
Read MoreThe October 16, 2024, edition of Southern Ag Today indicated a slightly bullish wheat situation within the United States (Welch, 2024). Today’s article discusses this further using three charts: U.S. Wheat Imports by Country, Wheat Production by Country, and Ending Stocks by Country.
Read MoreA recent correspondence with Phillip Anderson, crop consultant from Daviess County, reported a significant outbreak of fall armyworms (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda, Noctuidae) in cover crop wheat and rye; and also in pastures located in reclaimed land from coal mines.
Read MoreRemnants of Hurricane Helene and the rains just prior to resulted in about 4 to 5 inches of rainfall in many areas across Kentucky. Some parts of Western Kentucky recorded over 6 inches of rain, according to the Kentucky Mesonet.
Read MoreFall is a good time to take soil samples. Fields that need soil pH adjustment (usually need some ag lime to raise pH) are identified. Soils are usually dry and easier to get over with spreaders that are heavy with lime.
Read MoreBeet and Yellow-Striped armyworms present in Kentucky fields.
Read MoreRecent correspondence with County Extension Agents, growers, and Extension colleagues in forage indicated a surge of fall armyworms (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda, Noctuidae) in forages. These reports originate from various regions of Kentucky, beginning in August and continuing until the first week of September.
Read MoreSign up now for a popular webinar series that addresses timely topics regarding integrated pest management for field crops.
Read MoreThere are multiple foliar diseases confirmed in Kentucky corn fields this year. Some are familiar and annually important diseases like gray leaf spot and southern rust, but newer diseases are also present in several areas of the state.
Read MoreThe 2024 corn season has created some ugly cornfields around the state. Those fields are about to turn the corner if they have not already. Excessive water, cool temperatures, windy conditions, active slugs, and bugs, sidewall compaction, weeds, and more created many challenges for the corn planted, especially corn planted earlier.
Read MoreSince the end of March and the first week of April we have been observing slugs in various stages of development as well eggs in soybean and corn fields.
Read MoreSeveral wheat fields in Kentucky are now at the anthesis stage (Feekes 10.51, “flowering”) or fast approaching it. Anthesis is a critical time, as wheat becomes susceptible to infection by Fusarium graminearum, the primary causal agent of Fusarium head blight
Read MoreThe early morning low temperatures on Apr 22 were quite frosty. In some areas, the low temperatures were in the range that could potentially cause damage to the wheat crop.
Read MoreThe 2024 Virtual Crop Scout School webinars are now available for viewing on the Crop Protection Network (CPN). The scout school consists of over 30 webinars from crop protection specialists across the United States.
Read MoreOne of our county agents was contacted by a farmer asking about new requirements from ADM on soybeans being sold at ADM Silver Grove location in the fall of 2024.
Read MoreThe growing season is usually defined as the days from the last freeze (32°F) in the spring to the first freeze (32°F) in the fall. Since climate change is increasing air temperature, the growing season is getting longer.
Read MoreAcross Kentucky almost all of the wheat crop has jointed (Feekes 6) and much of it has developed at least two nodes (Feekes 7). When temperatures dropped into the teens and low 20’s (°F) overnight March 19 (Table 1), we once again find ourselves asking the question: Will the low temperatures a couple of nights ago damage this year’s wheat crop?
Read MoreSeveral aphid species are key pests in small grains (wheat, barley, and cereal rye) in Kentucky for their role as vectors of the Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). Among them, the Bird cherry-oat and English grain aphids overwinter as nymphs or adults, and they can start feeding and potentially transmit viruses when temperatures are above 45º F.
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