Numbered Publications: CCD-CP
CCD-CP-25: Cereal Straw Production
Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Jun. 21, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Winter small grains, especially wheat and barley, are an important part of the typical crop rotation system of many Kentucky farmers. These crops are primarily grown for their grain; however, harvesting the straw as a secondary product can provide additional income. Harvesting straw as a secondary commodity when grown in a double crop system with soybeans also minimizes harvest residue, which helps the establishment and growth of the following soybean crop. Some growers choose to forgo the grain harvest altogether, producing high quality straw as the main commodity. Other grains, such as rye, oats, and triticale, also have potential for straw production.
CCD-CP-28: Corn for Grain and Silage
Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Jun. 15, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Corn for grain and silage can be produced for on-farm use and/or off-farm sale. There are a variety of local and regional markets for corn in Kentucky, such as local grain elevators. U.S. producers face international competition in the livestock category; corn prices have fluctuated greatly in recent years. Expanded corn markets, as well as the emergence of more uses for corn, could help stabilize future prices. In addition to animal feed, field corn uses include industrial (sweeteners) and energy (ethanol) products
CCD-CP-38: Popcorn and Blue Corn
Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Jun. 4, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Popcorn and blue corn (Zea mays) are harvested for their grain and sold for human consumption. Popcorn is a special type of flint corn, while blue corn is a general term for corn varieties that produce ears with blue or mixtures of blue and white kernels.
CCD-CP-39: Red and White Clover
Kenny Burdine, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 28, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Red and white (ladino) clovers are high quality forage legumes with excellent feed value and animal palatability. Red clover (Trifolium pretense), a tall-growing and short-lived perennial, is used for hay, pasture, silage, green chop, soil improvement, and wildlife habitats. While white clover (Trifolium repens), a low-growing perennial, is best suited for grazing, it can also be used for soil improvement and reclaiming disturbed land.
CCD-CP-46: Switchgrass for Bioenergy
Greg Halich, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 1, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial bunchgrass native to portions of Kentucky. Once a major component of the Midwestern prairies, switchgrass stands have dwindled as natural grasslands have given way to expanding farms and developments.
CCD-CP-23: Broomcorn
Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 18, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare) is not actually corn, but is instead related to the sorghums used for grain and syrup (Sorghum bicolor). Broomcorn has a coarse, fibrous seed head that has been used to make various types of brooms and brushes for several hundred years. While there are still artisans creating these natural brooms today, this crop is now more commonly used to make decorative items, such as wreaths, swags, floral arrangements, baskets, and autumn displays. It takes about 60 sprays (heads) to make a broom, but wreaths and dried arrangements require only a few plants. Broomcorn is available in natural colors, as well as purple and various fall colors.
CCD-CP-44: Sweet Sorghum for Biofuel
Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 18, 2013 (New)
Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is primarily grown in Kentucky for its syrup. However, this crop may someday have another use in the Commonwealth—as a bioenergy crop. From 2007 to 2009, University of Kentucky researchers examined the feasibility of ethanol production from sweet sorghum. They concluded that "overall sweet sorghum would appear to be a very feasible crop for ethanol production in Kentucky." Additional states, along with several other countries, have also been actively conducting research on sweet sorghum for biofuel and with promising results.
CCD-CP-21: Alfalfa
Kenny Burdine, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 2, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has the highest yield potential and highest feeding values of all adapted perennial forage legumes. It is a versatile crop that may be used for pasture, hay, silage, green-chop, pellets, cubes, soil improvement, and soil conservation.
CCD-CP-45: Sweet Sorghum for Syrup
Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 2, 2013 (Minor Revision)
Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is primarily grown for the sweet juice that is extracted from the plant's stalks. Stalks are crushed and the extracted juice is cooked down to a thick, sticky syrup. The syrup is sometimes incorrectly referred to as sorghum molasses.
CCD-CP-41: Specialty Soybeans
Carl Dillon, Cheryl Kaiser, Michael Vassalos | Mar. 19, 2013 (Minor Revision)
The first commercial use of soybean (Glycine max) was for its oil; however, this crop is now considered a valuable source of protein as well. Specialty or novel soybeans are used to produce various soyfoods of Asian origin, such as tofu, miso, soy sauce, natto, soymilk, and tempeh. Assorted health food snacks, energy foods, and cereals are also produced from specialty soybeans. Other uses include bean sprouts and soy nuts.
