UK Hosts Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field Day July 22

By Blake Jackson

The University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, along with the Cooperative Extension Service, will host two field tours on July 22 at the UK Research and Education Center (UKREC) in Princeton.

The Corn, Soybean, and Tobacco Field Day will begin in the morning, followed by the Beef and Forage Field Day in the afternoon, with a shared lunch in between.

Chad Lee, UK professor and director of the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, said. “As the Research and Education Center marks its 100th anniversary this year, we saw this milestone as a meaningful opportunity to welcome more regional farmers to Princeton and highlight the impactful research and extension education taking place at these facilities.”

The morning wagon tours start at 8 a.m. CDT and will cover various aspects of grain crop production and economics. Sessions will include updates on grain markets, weed science, foliar fungicides in soybeans, corn fertilization, and a Q&A on the economic climate.

Attendees can also choose sessions focusing on tobacco or on grain crop soils and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Support for the event comes from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, Altria Client Services, Kentucky Corn, Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, and the Kentucky Beef Network. These organizations are sponsoring transportation and providing a complimentary lunch.

Laura Stephenson, vice president for land-grant engagement and Martin-Gatton CAFE dean, will speak during the event.

The afternoon Beef and Forage Field Day will begin with a visit to forage plots, discussing pest control, red clover’s role in reducing tall fescue toxicosis, summer annual blends, and variety trials.

Visitors will also be transported to the beef facilities to learn about mineral feeding strategies, smart scales, and winter-feeding systems.

Event registration runs from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 300 Extension Farm Road in Princeton. No pre-registration is needed.

Continuing education credits are available for certified crop advisors and pesticide applicators attending the corn, soybean, and tobacco sessions. Full details are available at https://ukrec.ca.uky.edu/events or by calling 270-365-7541.

Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky