Kiersten Wise receives APS 2026 Excellence in Extension Award

Published on Apr. 24, 2026

The American Phytopathological Society has selected Dr.

What We Learned from This Spring’s Winter Canola

By Mohammad Shamim
Published on Apr. 22, 2026

Canola is grown as a spring crop in northern regions of the United States and as a winter crop across the southern and Midwestern regions. For winter canola to survive freezing temperatures, proper fall establishment is critical. Plants should reach the rosette stage with at least a 4/10 - 5/10 inches of stem diameter before winter.

How Late is Too Late to Apply Fungicides for Fusarium Head Blight Protection in Wheat?

By Carl Bradley
Published on Apr. 22, 2026

Some wheat fields in Kentucky have been in flowering/anthesis stages for several days now. With the relatively dry weather, the risk outlook for Fusarium head blight (FHB; head scab) (Figure 1) has been low to medium for much of the state according to the Fusarium Risk Tool.

Early Planting and the Uniformity of Seedling Emergence of Corn and Soybean

By Dennis Egli
Published on Apr. 21, 2026

It’s that time of the year – producers are done tinkering with their planters and are ready to hit the field, hoping to get that perfect ‘picket fence’ stand where every plant is equally spaced and all the seedings emerge at the same time.

Assessing Drought in Kentucky: Where We Are, How It Compares, and What to Expect

By Matt Dixon
Published on Apr. 21, 2026

The latest update of the U.S. Drought Monitor was released on April 16, and as expected, drought conditions continue to worsen. Nearly 82 percent of the state is now experiencing some level of drought.

Brazil’s Expanding Corn Ethanol Sector and Global Corn Markets

Published on Apr. 21, 2026

Authors: Julio Cortarelli, UK Graduate Research Assistant, and Dr. Grant Gardner, UK Extension Economist

Fertilizer Costs Are Squeezing Farmers This Spring — Here's What You Need to Know

By Grant Gardner
Published on Apr. 21, 2026

Based on the American Farm Bureau Federation Fertilizer Availability Survey, April 2026

High Frequency of Aphids in Winter Canola fields in Western Kentucky

By Felipe Batista
Published on Apr. 21, 2026

During recent visits to Canola fields, we observed infestations of the turnip aphid (also known as mustard aphid) in all fields we evaluated across three different counties in western Kentucky (Graves, Marshall, and Caldwell counties) (Figure 1-5). This spring has been drier than normal across the region, with rainfall well below average.

Corn planting in 2026

By Chad Lee
Published on Apr. 17, 2026

Weather conditions are generally acceptable to start planting corn in Kentucky by April 1. Current research and farm data suggest that corn planting can start at the end of March and go through June 1. By the time of this newsletter release, a large percentage of corn acres are already planted in Kentucky.

UK welcomes new Extension specialists

Published on Mar. 16, 2026

Welcome Drs. Ricardo Ribeiro and Marcelo Zimmer.