Agriculture : News
DATE: August 21, 2010
HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370
BY: Doug Shepherd
County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources
County Grain Tour:
This summer’s weather has placed some serious stress on the area’s corn and soybean crops. At this point, there’s not much help for the corn crop, but regular rains and cooler temperatures could help the soybean crop. Additionally there are other problems that are now showing up in many corn fields as a result of this summer’s hot, dry weather.
Dr. Chad Lee, UK Extension Grain Crops Specialist, evaluated the county corn and soybean variety trials the end of last week with Ag Program Assistant, Matt Adams. According to Dr. Lee and Matt, the corn variety trial had many “textbook” cases of drought related issues, all of which will be discussed at this year’s County Grain Tour scheduled for Tuesday, August 31st at 10:00 AM. Dr. Lee will be on hand at the event to discuss the status of both variety trials, as well as other items producers need to be aware of as they begin to harvest this year’s stressed crops. Various seed companies representatives will also be on hand to discuss the varieties they entered in this year’s plots.
The hosts for the 2010 Hardin County Corn Variety test are Terry and John Wimp. The corn variety trial is located in the field at the corn of Bethlehem Academy Road and St. John Road on the Cunningham farm. The soybean Roundup-Ready variety trial is located directly across from the corn variety trial on the St. John Road, on Thomas Academy Farm owned by Rick and Donna Thomas. The soybean variety trial is really looking good and has generally received adequate rainfall during most of the growing season.
The Hardin County Cattlemen’s Association will be providing lunch at the event, so it’s very important if you are planning to attend, to call 765-4121 or online at www.hardinag.org
to make a reservation. The various seed companies that participate in the variety trial will be sponsoring the luncheon.
Ag Village:
This is the week, if you miss it on Saturday, you’ve missed it for good! It’s the Ag Village
at this year’s Kentucky Heartland Festival focusing on how county agriculture is a-“Growing Heroes and Industry.” The Ag Village will offer something for everyone throughout the day in various venues inside the “Village” which is surrounded by a white, three-plank vinyl fence which will limit access via two main entrances - one directly across from the food court and the other near a walking bridge on the south end of the ag village.
Two important highlights of a patriotic nature that you certainly don’t want to miss is the Vietnam Veterans Living Wall which is being constructed by the Lincoln Trail Home Builders Association and will be a living monument to all those Vietnam Veterans that attend this year’s Heartland Festival to have their name mounted on the Wall. The other highlight will be the Fort Knox Challenger Cadets raising a huge American Flag at 8:00 AM Saturday morning that has been used to honor the area’s war heroes that were brought back home to be laid to rest. The Cadets will also retire the colors immediately after the fireworks on Saturday night, from the flag’s enormous lighted pole high above Freeman Lake Park. So if you’re not sure where the Ag Village is located, look for the huge flag flying above Freeman Lake Park, the village will be located under that flag!
Look forward to seeing you all in the Ag Village at this year’s Heartland Festival. Remember, you just might get to meet and talk with a local farmer, and you’ll know who got that opportunity - just look around. So come out and see how our local family farmers are producing the food you eat each day, and how technology has changed in agriculture since the Vietnam Era. Remember, the Ag Village will only be at 2010 Heartland Festival, if you miss it, you’ve missed an experience of a lifetime!
UK Grain Crops Update:
The following are some concerns and recommendations shared by various UK Extension Specialists relating to this year’s grain crops. Dr. Paul Vincelli warns of aflatoxins and diplodia in corn. Another concern is final stand of the corn crop. Much of the corn crop was under stress from heat and a lack of water. Those conditions usually cause the each plant to pull photosynthate from the stalks and put them in the ear in an attempt to produce seed. While this helps each overcome some yield losses, it also causes stalks to become weak.
As you prepare for this early harvest, check fields for stalk strength and, if possible, harvest weak stands first. The easiest way to check for stand strength is to grab the stalk at about your shoulder height and pull the stalk toward you. Release the stalk and if it returns to its normal upright position, the stalk strength is still good. If the stalk does not return to the upright position, the stalks are weak.
In addition to weak stalks, Dr. Chad Lee has had reports and he’s visited some fields where ear attachment to the plant is very weak. In the worst situations, ears have been found on the ground. . . typically, heavier ears. There may be an interaction between environment and hybrid. So, if you have a field like this, please email him at cdlee2@uky.edu and let him know the hybrid and field conditions. Obviously, such fields need to be harvested sooner rather than later.
Those of you who have farmed for a while know that a summer of stress often brings challenges at harvest. This year appears to be no different.
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