PR-829: 2021 Soybean Yield and Quality Contest

Matt Adams, Clint Hardy, Katie Hughes, Carrie Knott, Brett Mitchell, Troy Muse, Dana O'Nan, Conner Raymond, Paul Rideout, Darrell Simpson | Sep. 7, 2023 (New)

In Kentucky, farmers grow soybeans in two common soybean production systems: full season and double crop. Farmers plant full season soybeans in the spring and harvest them that fall, so they have harvested one crop in one calendar year. Farmers plant double crop soybeans after wheat harvest in June. These soybeans are harvested later that fall, making them the second crop harvested in the same calendar year. Both systems are important to the overall production of soybean in Kentucky. Therefore, in 1980, an annual soybean yield contest was initiated in Kentucky to document the agronomic practices utilized
by producers.

---

ID-1: The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program

Sharon Bale, Tom Barnes, Jessica Bessin, Kenneth Clayton, Rick Durham, Bill Fountain, J.D. Green, Kelly Jackson, Krista Jacobsen, Jonathan Larson, Brad Lee, Kimberly Leonberger, Adam Leonberger, Gregg Munshaw, A.J. Powell, Edwin Ritchey, Rachel Rudolph, Robbie Smith, Matthew Springer, Lee Townsend, Nicole Gauthier, Stacy White, Mark Williams, Erica Wood, Shawn Wright | Aug. 24, 2023 (New)

Plants are essential to life on earth. Either directly or indirectly, they are the primary food source for humans and other animals. Additionally, they provide fuel, replenish the earth's oxygen supply, prevent soil erosion, slow down wind movement, cool the atmosphere, provide wildlife habitat, supply medicinal compounds, and beautify our surroundings.

---

PR-831: 2023 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Trial

Bill Bruening, Cam Kenimer, Dalton Mertz, Gene Olson, Phillip Shine, Dave Sanford | Jul. 12, 2023 (New)

The objective of the Kentucky small grain variety performance trial is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat, barley, triticale, and cereal rye that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. New varieties continually are being developed by agricultural experiment stations and commercial firms. Annual evaluation of small grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

---

4BA-08MJ: 4-H Agricultural Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation in Kentucky

Bob Pearce, Edwin Ritchey | Apr. 17, 2023 (Minor Revision)

Land judging is a way of appraising the physical nature and capability of soils. Certain soil properties, such as slope, depth, and color, that can be seen, felt, or measured, are reliable indicators of soil characteristics that impact crop growth and productivity. Land judging does not replace soil testing. Laboratory tests that determine the chemical and physical nature of soil help us predict plant response to lime and fertilizer, estimate the amount of a waste product that can be safely applied to the soil, and determine the limitations for uses such as homesites and roads.

---

AGR-273: Soil Acidity: What It Is, How It Is Measured, Why It Is Important

John Grove, Edwin Ritchey | Apr. 13, 2023 (New)

Soil chemical health is strongly related to soil acidity. This acidity consists of acidic cations, hydrogen (H+), aluminum (Al3+), and in some soils, manganese (Mn2+). The acid cations are neutralized by basic anions, carbonate (CO32-), hydroxyl (OH-), and oxide (O2-) provided by materials such as agricultural, hydrated/slaked, and quick/burnt limes, respectively. Lime application rates are based on the amount of acidity measured in your soil sample.

---

ID-274: Economic Efficiency in Organic Dairy Operations

John Allison, Kenny Burdine, Ray Smith | Apr. 3, 2023 (New)

Organic dairy operations have historically commanded a higher milk price than conventional dairy operations (Organic all milk price 2021 average: $31.55 per hundredweight (USDA AMS, 2021), Conventional all milk price 2021 average: $20.25 per hundredweight (USDA ERS, 2021)). However, the economics of decision-making and management still play a pivotal role in farm profitability.

---

AGR-270: Restoring a Flood-damaged Lawn

Kenneth Clayton, Paul Rideout, Jason Vaughn, Beth Wilson | Mar. 14, 2023 (New)

Flooding across Kentucky has been an increasing problem in recent years and has caused significant damage to many properties, including home lawns. The deterioration or death of turfgrass is often caused by grass being smothered with silt and sand deposits left from the flood or grass being submerged under water for prolonged periods. Lack of oxygen to the plant can cause death when submerged, and the rate of death is often worse with higher water temperatures. Repairing these areas is important for reducing chances of erosion as well as allowing a return to the regular use of the lawn.

---

ID-123: Livestock Waste Sampling and Testing

Doug Overhults, Monroe Rasnake | Mar. 13, 2023 (Revised)

It is estimated that about 25 million tons of animal manure are currently produced on Kentucky farms each year. Most of this is deposited by grazing animals on pastures where the nutrients are recycled. However, an increasing percentage is accumulated in feed lots, barns, poultry houses, lagoons, and other facilities until it can be spread on the land.

---

ID-199: Prechilling Switchgrass Seed on Farm to Break Dormancy

Holly Boyd, Cindy Finneseth, Tom Keene, Laura Schwer, Ray Smith | Mar. 13, 2023 (Revised)

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season, perennial bunch-type grass native to the North American Tallgrass Prairie. It has been investigated as a renewable energy crop due to its high productivity across a wide geographic range including various environmental conditions and soil types. Switchgrass has also been used for erosion control, summer grazing in pasture and hay systems for cattle, native prairie restoration, wildlife habitat, fiber production, and as an ornamental grass.

---

AGR-16: Taking Soil Test Samples

Lloyd Murdock, Greg Schwab, Frank Sikora, Bill Thom | Mar. 13, 2023 (Revised)

The most important part of making fertilizer recommendations is collecting a good, representative soil sample. Soil test results and fertilizer recommendations are based solely on the few ounces of soil submitted to the laboratory for analysis. These few ounces can represent several million pounds of soil in the field. If this sample does not reflect actual soil conditions, the results can be misleading and lead to costly over- or under-fertilization. It is necessary to make sure that the soil sample sent to the laboratory accurately represents the area sampled.