Kentucky producers who priced wheat, planted it this fall despite not planting the crop in recent years, then wondered what they got themselves into can get help at the University of Kentucky Wheat Science Group winter meeting from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Jan. 8, 2008, at the Christian County office of the UK Cooperative Extension Service in Hopkinsville.
A growers' panel will highlight this year's meeting with growers discussing their experiences with the freeze damaged 2007 crop. Panelists will be from Caldwell, Warren, and Hickman counties. Having growers from a wide geographical area will offer a variety of experiences. An overview of the 2007 wheat freeze will precede the panel discussion.
Another highlight is a discussion of the world wheat situation and how it applies to Kentucky. Mike Zahn, an agricultural economist from Illinois will present this session.
Other topics include plant variety protection, patents and variety release, aphids abundance and control in the 2006-2007 season, slow release nitrogen, tillage to no-tillage for wheat and some points in between, understanding how the environment impacts wheat disease, and application timing for ryegrass control. Presenters include members of the UK Wheat Science Group, an interdisciplinary group of specialists who work together to address the needs of Kentucky's wheat producers, as well as other UK researchers.
Three certified crop adviser credits in crop management and 1.5 in pest management will be available. Three pesticide general credits and one specific hour in categories 1A, 4, 10 and 12 have also been approved. The Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association will provide lunch.
Pre-registration is not necessary. For more information contact Dottie Call, Wheat Science Group coordinator, at 270-365-7541, ext. 234, or dcall@uky.edu.