AGR-1: Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations, 2025-2026

Edwin Ritchey, John Grove | July 25, 2025 (Revised)

The recommendations found in this publication are a result of a biennial review of soil fertility research and soil test data collected in Kentucky. The committee is made up of members of the Plant and Soil Science, Horticulture, and Agricultural Economics Departments. The co-chairs of the committee and editors of this publication are Drs. Edwin Ritchey and John Grove, Extension Soil Specialist and Research/Extension Soil Specialist, respectively.

AGR-283: Interpreting Baleage Fermentation Test Results

Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Michelle Arnold | June 6, 2025 (New)

Baleage is the wrapping of bales of wilted forage such that anaerobic fermentation occurs. Most commonly made with large round bales, larger rectangular bales may also be stored as baleage.

AGR-281: Improving Kentucky Horse Pastures

Chris Teutsch, Krista Lea, Ray Smith, Bob Coleman | February 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.

AGR-41: Sampling Surface Mine Lands Before And After Mining

Vasilios Evangelou, Richard Barnhisel | February 12, 2025 (Revised)

The purpose of sampling surface mine lands is to gather information on the physical and chemical characteristics of the area to help assure a successful reclamation effort. Laboratory analysis of a soil sample representative of the area can be used to evaluate deficiencies or toxicities for various crops, estimate nutrient needs, determine proper fertilizer applications and identify overburden layers that may be used for a topsoil substitute or rooting medium.

AGR-40: Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations for Reclamation of Surface-Mined Spoils

Richard Barnhisel | February 5, 2025 (Revised)

Recommendations contained in this publication are based on spoil tests values from testing methods used in the Central laboratories operated under supervision of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. Spoil test values obtained by other methods should not be used when making recommendations using this publication.

AGR-198: Sulfur Fertilization in Kentucky

Greg Schwab | February 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.

AGR-146: Using Animal Manures as Nutrient Sources

Monroe Rasnake, Bill Thom, Frank Sikora | February 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.

AGR-151: Evaluating Fertilizer Recommendations

Lloyd Murdock | February 5, 2025 (Revised)

Soil testing and making fertilizer recommendations are not the same thing. While soil test results estimate the plant available nutrients in a field, the fertilizer recommendation, which is based on an interpretation of soil test results, determines how much lime and fertilizer are needed by a particular crop species on a particular field. Several philosophies are used in interpreting soil test results for lime and fertilizer recommendations. Each of these philosophies is based on different assumptions about crop needs and how crops respond at different soil test levels and different amounts and ratios of nutrients. For any of these philosophies to have value, they must be correlated to the soil types and climatic conditions present.

AGR-6: Weed Control Recommendations for Kentucky Grain Crops, 2025

Travis Legleiter | November 6, 2024 (Minor Revision)

The use of herbicides suggested in this publication is based on research at the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and elsewhere. We have given what we believe to be the most effective herbicides, with the most suitable rates and times of application.

AGR-277: Using a Rising Plate Meter to Measure Pasture Growth: A Practical Guide

Echo Gotsick, Ray Smith | October 14, 2024 (New)

Knowing pasture yields is very helpful for all livestock operations, especially cattle farms. High animal productivity is only possible with access to adequate quantities of high-quality forage. Previous research has shown a correlation between forage height and pasture yield. Height can be measured with tools as simple as a ruler, but this method often does not produce accurate yield estimates because pasture density is not taken into account.