Items by John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Corn N biologicals and fertilizer additives: Worth it this year?
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Oct. 15, 2025
Corn nitrogen (N) management expense is rising as prices for N fertilizers increase. The corn N marketplace contains several biologicals that promise to replace a portion of corn’s total fertilizer N need.
Value of biologicals, biostimulants and soil/fertilizer nutrient enhancement products
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Oct. 14, 2025
At present, the upcoming crop production season looks to be difficult, financially. The intent of this article is to bring producers up to date about what we know about the “other stuff” – purchased inputs other than seed, pesticides, lime and fertilizers.
Wheat pays it forward in your grain rotation
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Oct. 13, 2025
We have been hearing that some wheat producers are thinking about reducing the acres of wheat in their rotations, changing from a corn, wheat/double-crop soybean rotation to a corn, full-season soybean rotation.
Soil fertility for fall-planted winter grains and cover crops: 2025's special considerations
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Sep. 16, 2025
At present, what many parts of Kentucky need most is moisture. Some drills are able to place seed appropriately under these dry conditions, but some will not provide a consistent planting depth. Inconsistent seed depth can lead to uneven seed germination and seedling growth as dry weather continues.
Corn Nitrogen Rate Recommendations: AGR-1 Updates
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Mar. 30, 2025
Corn fertilizer nitrogen (N) rate recommendations had not been deeply reexamined in 20 years. Additionally, there have been no substantial change to AGR-1 (Ritchey and McGrath, 2020) corn N management recommendations since the 2004-2005 version of the document. Information on the use of urease inhibitors was added at that time.
Grain Crop Phosphate and Potash Rate Recommendations: AGR-1 Updates
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Mar. 30, 2025
Grain crop fertilizer phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O) maintenance rate recommendations in AGR-1 (Ritchey and McGrath, 2020) have not been reexamined since their inception - 1992. Other UK extension faculty (G. Schwab, pers. comm.; B. Lee, pers.
Corn Yield Recovery with At-Tasseling/Early Silking N Application
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Feb. 21, 2025
In the past decade, over 50 % of the years have given corn growers some difficulty with wet early season conditions. These conditions can complicate corn nitrogen (N) management. Sustained wetness can delay/prevent N application, resulting in uncertainty in corn’s N status at-tasseling/early silking (VT/R1), when ear development commences.