By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Crop Health Conference (KCHC), set for February 6 at the National Corvette Museum conference center, offers farmers and agronomic professionals an opportunity to prepare for spring planting with insights into effective pest management strategies.
Hosted by the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST and is tailored to support Kentucky’s corn, soybean, and wheat growers with cutting-edge research and practical solutions.
Now in its third year, KCHC brings together national and local experts to address integrated pest and disease management.
Esteemed speakers include Alyssa Essman from Ohio State University, Justin McMechan from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and Wade Webster from North Dakota State University, alongside UK specialists Travis Legleiter, Carl Bradley, Kiersten Wise, and Raul Villanueva.
Participants will gain valuable insights from Martin-Gatton CAFE researchers on challenges specific to Kentucky agriculture.
Legleiter will discuss strategies to manage Italian ryegrass, Bradley will share advancements in Red Crown Rot research in soybeans, Wise will focus on tracking corn diseases, and Villanueva will explore methods for controlling slugs and snails in soybean fields.
Additionally, Essman will cover the timing of cover crop termination for weed management, McMechan will highlight emerging insect threats, and Webster will present predictive models for addressing Tar Spot, a significant concern for corn farmers.
According to Legleiter, the conference provides agronomic professionals with essential knowledge and tools, stating, “The Kentucky Crop Health Conference equips agronomic professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions.”
Attendees can also earn continuing education credits, including 4.5 CEUs in Integrated Pest Management for Certified Crop Advisors, 3 CEUs for Kentucky pesticide applicators in Category 1A, and 1 CEU in Category 10. Tennessee applicator credits are pending approval.
Registration, priced at $80, includes meals and materials, with tickets available at kchc2025.eventbrite.com until January 30.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided, with sign-in starting at 8 a.m. For further details, contact Jason Travis at (859) 562-2569 or email jason.travis@uky.edu.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-oticki
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Crops