By Blake Jackson
The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will host a Fragipan Field Day on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Kenner/Walker Farm in Elkton.
Organized through Todd County Extension, the event is designed for farmers, agronomists, and others interested in improving crop performance on fields affected by fragipan soils.
Attendees will learn how annual ryegrass used as a cover crop can gradually break down fragipan, a dense soil layer that restricts root development, limits water movement, and reduces crop productivity.
Fragipan is a widespread issue across Kentucky and other parts of the United States, creating shallow soils with poor drainage and limited moisture retention.
Lloyd Murdock, emeritus professor at the University of Kentucky Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, has spent more than 20 years researching fragipan management and said the field day allows producers to observe results under real farming conditions.
“Lab and greenhouse-based research indicated that annual ryegrass was effective,” Murdock said. “As I’ve visited farmers who have incorporated the practice, I’ve found out how much it breaks the fragipan down, how deep it is, how much yields have increased, and how it has changed drainage and wetness in the field.”
Research at the demonstration site shows that four years of annual ryegrass cover crops increased the depth to the fragipan layer by eight inches while boosting corn yields by 59 bushels per acre.
Farmer Chris Kenner adopted the practice after attending the first Fragipan Field Day in 2018.
“I was shocked when I read that they were going to have a field day to remediate the fragipan because I have known that the fragipan has been my number one restricting factor on our whole operation,” Kenner said.
“They weren’t asking us to do anything too crazy. It’s not all that terribly costly, and I had always been trying to look for ways to reduce erosion and ditches. We also have a need for hay for our cattle, so it just seemed to make sense.”
The event will also feature soil pit demonstrations, producer presentations from Kenner and Mitchell Paschall, ryegrass management guidance, and drone seeding demonstrations.
The free field day begins at 9 a.m. CT, Kenner/Walker Farm, 4369 Sharon Grove Road, Elkton, KY 42440, followed by lunch sponsored by the Kentucky Soybean Board.
Registration is not required, but those planning to attend are encouraged to contact the Todd County Extension Office at 270-265-5659.
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Education, General