ID-281: 2024 Kentucky Organic Small Grains Survey

Lauren Brzozowski, Ayla Koehler, Yoko Kusunose | May. 1, 2025 (New)

The number of organic farms and acreage doubled in Kentucky between 2016 and 2021. During that time, the number of farms grew from 100 to 207, and acreage increased from 10,255 to 20,467, according to the 2016 and 2021 USDA NASS Certified Organic Surveys. However, only 12 farms produced organic small grains, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats, in that same period. A survey by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension in 2007 reported that organic growers found growing wheat and oats organically to be “easy” or “easy to moderate” but did not identify specific areas for further research, Extension programs or education on grain crops. In this publication, we report results from a survey of current and prospective organic grain growers in Kentucky and the surrounding region to better understand the current challenges and opportunities for local organic small grain production for human food and animal feed or forage.

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PR-864: Overview of Kentucky Corn Yield Contests, 2019–2024

Mohammad Shamim, Chad Lee | Apr. 24, 2025 (New)

The Kentucky Corn Yield Contest is organized and administered by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The Kentucky Corn Yield Contest aims to identify management practices that enhance corn yields across the state. It is heavily supported by the Kentucky Corn Growers Association and several agribusinesses.

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PR-863: Overview of Kentucky Wheat Yield Contests, 2015–2024

Mohammad Shamim, Chad Lee | Apr. 24, 2025 (New)

The Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest is organized and administered by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. It is heavily supported by the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association and several agribusinesses. Farmers are required to harvest a minimum of three (3) acres, all in Kentucky, from a continuously planted area with four straight sides. Reasonable variations are acceptable on the shape of the area harvested. Yields are harvested, weighed on certified scales, and corrected to 13.5% grain moisture to convert to bushels per acre. The County Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension Agent or designated representative is responsible for supervising and verifying the yield check and the agronomic data.

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AGR-281: Improving Kentucky Horse Pastures

Chris Teutsch, Krista Lea, Ray Smith, Bob Coleman | Feb. 13, 2025 (New)

For many horses, quality pasture can provide almost all nutrients needed for maintenance or light work for much of the year. Pasture reduces the cost of keeping horses while providing safe footing and minimizing impacts on the environment.

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ID-221: Fescue Toxicosis in Cattle

Megan Romano, Michelle Arnold, Ray Smith, Krista Lea | Feb. 13, 2025 (Minor Revision)

Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh., previously known scientifically as Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] is a cool-season, perennial grass (Figure 1). The Continental type, most notably the Kentucky-31 variety, is frequently infected with an endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala). An endophyte is a fungus that grows inside the grass, specifically within the intercellular spaces of the leaf sheaths, stems, and seeds, and is invisible to the naked eye. The plant and fungus have a mutually beneficial relationship, wherein the plant provides the fungus access to its nutrients and a means of asexual reproduction through infected seeds. In turn, the fungus produces compounds called ergopeptine alkaloids that increase the plant’s vigor by making the plant more pest- and drought-resistant and more tolerant of other adverse soil and environmental conditions. Although advantageous to the plant, ergopeptine alkaloids adversely affect the health and productivity of grazing livestock. Ergovaline is the most abundant (more than 90 percent) and most toxic ergopeptine alkaloid in endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue. The highest alkaloid concentrations are found within the seedheads and in the bottom few inches of the plant.

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ID-163: Agricultural Lime Recommendations Based on Lime Quality

David Ditsch, Josh McGrath, Lloyd Murdock, Edwin Ritchey, Frank Sikora | Feb. 5, 2025 (Revised)

Soil acidity is one of the most important soil factors affecting crop growth and ultimately, yield and profitability. It is determined by measuring the soil pH, which is a measure of the amount of hydrogen ions in the soil solution. As soil acidity increases, the soil pH decreases. Soils tend to be naturally acidic in areas where rainfall is sufficient to cause substantial leaching of basic ions (such as calcium and magnesium), which are replaced by hydrogen ions. Most soils in Kentucky are naturally acidic because of our abundant rainfall.

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AGR-198: Sulfur Fertilization in Kentucky

Greg Schwab | Feb. 5, 2025 (Revised)

There are a lot of misunderstandings regarding sulfur (S) nutrition for Kentucky crops. Sulfur is considered a seconda r y pla nt nutrient because, although the crop requirement for S is relatively large, it is usually found in soil at concentrations adequate for plant growth and yield so that no fertilizer S is needed. For many years, soil S was maintained by atmospheric deposition. However, more stringent clean air standards require greater removal of S during burning of fossil fuels. That fact, along with increasing crop yields, has caused many Kentucky grain producers to begin to question if S fertilization will increase yield.

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AGR-146: Using Animal Manures as Nutrient Sources

Monroe Rasnake, Bill Thom, Frank Sikora | Feb. 5, 2025 (Revised)

Animal manures can be an economical and effective source of crop nutrients. Land application of animal manures is also a Best Management Practice for protecting water quality when it is carried out properly.

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IP-56: Assessment of the Potential for Livestock and Poultry Manure to Provide the Nutrients Removed by Crops and Forages in Kentucky

Les Anderson, Jenny Cocanougher, Richard Coffey, Bill Crist, Ron Fleming, Kim Henken, Doug Overhults, Tony Pescatore, Monroe Rasnake, Bill Thom | Feb. 5, 2025 (Revised)

Livestock and poultry manure has been used for many years to provide basic fertilizer nutrients to improve crop and forage production. In addition, it has long been known that the chemical and physical properties of soils can be improved by applications of animal manure. Because of these benefits, much of the manure produced by livestock and poultry has been and continues to be applied to cropland and pastureland. Not only does this practice benefit crop production, it also has the environmental benefit of recycling nutrients to the soil from which they originated.

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ID-160: Burley and Dark Tobacco Production Guide, 2025-2026

Andy Bailey, Bob Pearce, Travis Legleiter, Edwin Ritchey, Will Snell, Ric Bessin, Wayne Sanderson, Ann Fisher | Jan. 27, 2025 (Major Revision)

Labor challenges and increasing production costs have continued to reduce profit margins for all tobacco growers. According to the 2022 Ag Census results, the total number of tobacco farms in the U.S. dropped to 2987. This was 3250 fewer tobacco farms than reported in the 2017 Ag Census. Growers choosing to remain in tobacco production must continue to take steps to be efficient while maintaining a high-level of cured leaf quality and productivity. The recommendations described in this guide represent the best-known practices for producing high yields and good quality burley and dark tobacco.