Winter 2020 Cooperative Extension Service Daviess County 4800A New Hartford Road Owensboro, KY 42303 270-685-8480 www.daviess.ca.uky.edu

A Message from Clint

Winter weather may still unfold, but so far, this one has been relatively pleasant. Mild temperatures and sunshine have kept moods uplifted despite uncertain times regarding access to markets, working capital, labor cost, and profitability in agriculture.

Factors beyond farm-level management decisions have put many tobacco producers in an adverse situation as entire crops have been rejected for some at receiving stations. Many who grew hemp for the first time in 2019 likewise face the potential of not being able to sell their crop. Grain farms, while uplifted by good yields and two years of MFP payments, face difficulty in securing access to working capital given budgets which are difficult to project a profit.

Indeed, this all sounds negative, but there is no point in disguising the economic outlook for 2020. The decision to grow tobacco in 2020 will be made by most farms, but we know there are some who will let 2019 be the last year of it.

Regarding hemp, the jury is out on the verdict for success or failure. It’s realized that the lucrative financial opportunity discussed last winter is not going to be a reality for most. But, if the supply of floral material will balance with

growing consumer demand for CBD products, there will be opportunities for hemp on Kentucky farms going forward.

The decision to tighten spending for grain farms has been in place for the past few years. This winter, discussion has moved to address the need to shed or renegotiate lease terms on lower productivity and higher-risk farms. 2019 final yields will determine if ARC-County or PLC is the better opportunity for farm bill enrollment. Neither will provide as high a

payment as ARC-County gave over the past few years, given the slide in revenues after 2013.

Farm businesses are resilient. Adoption of non-traditional agricultural enterprises, diversification in non-farm investments and real-estate, and off-farm employment opportunities are all considerations to get through the

current period. I’ve had many conversations over the past few months regarding farm income. I’m happy to meet with you to look at budgets, revenues, and expectations in planning for 2020. Just give me a call.

In times like these, education and knowledge gain are as important as ever. Prepare for 2020 by taking advantage of the opportunities mentioned in this newsletter, as well as other industry meetings.

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On behalf of Grain Day, Inc., I am excited to announce the 46th

Annual Ag Expo to be held at the Owensboro Convention Center next

Wednesday, January 29. The agenda, with the speaker titles, topics,

times, and current sponsor list as of today, is available on my website

at http://daviess.ca.uky.edu/.

We are honored to have Mr. Wayne Humphreys as the keynote

speaker at Ag Expo this year. Wayne is a lifelong grain and livestock

farmer on Louisa County Iowa farmland that has been in his family for

more than a century. Public speaking began in high school for Wayne, and he has carried his

message of “Lead With Your ACES” across the U.S. As a motivational humorist, Wayne’s

delightful messages reveal that the best investment is an investment in yourself and those

around you. In a world that is changing every day, people need to reach out and give each other

the balance of attitude, communication, enthusiasm, and simple sincerity.

Dr. Todd Davis closely follows world grain stocks and use projections. He will provide an update

of his expectations for use and price in the coming marketing year. He will speak twice. Solid

crop yield estimates will provide the opportunity to demonstrate the ARC-Co vs. PLC calculator in

the second session, providing practical 2018 Farm Bill enrollment advice.

Dr. Edwin Ritchey will discuss soil fertility from a unique perspective — whether it is an

opportunity that increases yields or a production obligation which increases soil fertility levels

already in the soil. He will discuss products that claim to increase the availability of nutrients

already in the soil.

Fungicide-applied soybean acres increase every year, with varying levels of results. Dr. Carl

Bradley will discuss the major diseases to target with fungicide and how to gain the most return

for your investment with product selection and timing.

Drs. Carrie Knott and Chad Lee have been testing sulfur treatments combined with foliar fertility

that have revealed increased yield in soybeans. Dr. Knott will explain their research and their

conclusion in what has been the cause of the increase in yield.

The past few years have been wet, with 2019 surpassing all recent history. Dr. Josh McGrath will

discuss adjusting nitrogen rates and application methods if wet growing seasons are set to

become a new normal.

Machinery repair and depreciation are major expenses for all farms. Dr. Jordan Shockley will

discuss how to improve profitability through machinery management.

The FSA is constantly evolving as it interprets and distributes agricultural policy throughout the

country. Travis Chick with KY FSA will provide an update and discussion on current program

opportunities.

Always a favorite at Ag Expo, Clint Quarles returns in 2020 to provide an update on agricultural

law and liability and answer questions from the audience.

Following lunch, Phil Rowland will provide the required training for farms intending to use

soybean-labeled dicamba products in 2020.

Ag Expo would not be possible without sponsorship provided by the local and regional businesses

that participate in the industry trade show. We appreciate their contribution in making the day a

premier agricultural event each year. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To inquire

about the levels of sponsorship, call the Daviess County Extension Office at 270-685-8480.

Be sure to like our Facebook page to stay updated with Cooperative Extension programming and events. We also share research-based information from the University of Kentucky. Plus, you do not want to miss our GIVEAWAYS! https://www.facebook.com/daviesscountyextension/

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Agricultural chemical container recycling has declined in Daviess County. 2020 is the year to reverse this trend. The Rinse and Return Program is a voluntary, cooperative program sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Agri-Business Association of Kentucky (ABAK). The Daviess County collection site is graciously hosted by the Fiscal Court at the West Daviess County Landfill. Participation is free but terms are specific. Jugs must be triple rinsed and drained, with lids and product labels removed. Anything else is landfill waste.

RINSE & RETURN RECYCLING PROGRAM

The 2020 IPM training school is scheduled for March 12 at the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence at the Princeton Research and Education Center. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Updated information on corn diseases, weed control, precision agriculture, soil nutrients, soybean management and profitability, as well as insects in corn and soybeans, will be discussed by UK Extension specialists. Registration is appreciated and available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ipm-training-school-tickets-86131863723. Approved continuing education units for pesticide applicators are 4 General and 2 Specific (categories 1A, 10, and 12). Certified crop advisers will receive 6 CEU’s; 1 Nutrient Management, 3 Integrated Pest Management, 1 Crop Management, and 1 Precision Agriculture.

2020 IPM TRAINING SCHOOL

Katie VanValin is the newest Beef Cattle Extension Specialist with the University of Kentucky, Department of Animal and Food Sciences. She will be working at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton, KY.

Dr. VanValin is from Bowling Green, where she spent many summers on her grandparents’ farm developing an appreciation and passion for agriculture. She is a 2013 graduate of Western Kentucky University where she was a double major in Agriculture and Chemistry. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree at Virginia Tech, where her studies were focused on fescue toxicosis in gestating cows. Next, she completed her Ph.D. at Iowa State University. Her research at ISU was focused on trace mineral nutrition of feedlot cattle, specifically in understanding how some of the unavoidable stressors of beef cattle production (weaning, transport, health challenges, etc.) would affect trace mineral requirements.

She is looking forward to working with Extension agents and beef producers throughout Kentucky to find solutions to current challenges, and prepare for future ones, in an effort to maintain the rich tradition and success that is the beef cattle industry of Kentucky.

Dr. Katie VanValin will be at the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office on March 12 to lead the Beef Cattle Nutrition Management Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

MEET KATIE VANVALIN, Ph.D

KDA will conduct a nuisance weed spraying program this spring. They will provide a sprayer and broadleaf herbicide for treatment of up to 10 acres of pasture or hay

land. If you have been considering herbicide use in pastures, this is an ideal opportunity to experience the benefit before making the investment. Participants are expected to provide water, tractor, and driver. Registration for participation in this program will be available beginning February 1 at https://www.kyagr.com/consumer/.

FORAGE LAND WEED CONTROL

DEMOSTRATION

KDA continues management of the commercial hemp program this year. Grower applications are available through March 15. They can be located at www.kyagr.com/marketing/hemp-pilot.html

HEMP

The Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, a volunteer organization created primarily to

administer the County Agricultural Investment Program, provided through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, is in the process of reviewing 2019 producer funding requests. Reimbursement checks will be sent in the upcoming weeks. The Daviess County Agricultural Development Council will be meeting in March to review funding requests for 2020 appropriation. If you have a novel enterprise in mind which will benefit your business and the community in general, consider submitting a KADF Project Application funding request, which can be found online at https://agpolicy.ky.gov/funds/Pages/program-portal.aspx.

KADF UPDATE

For more information please contact: Clint Hardy Daviess County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Email: chardy@uky.edu

Did you know that when you renew your farm license plates you can make a $10.00 donation to help raise funds for 4-H? The Ag

Tag Program is supported by the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, Ryan Quarles. Money raised is evenly split between Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and Kentucky Proud. You will need to notify the county clerk that you are making this additional donation.

In 2019, $20,840 was donated in Daviess County, ranking us 4th in KY in total donations received! 4-H, FFA, and KY Proud each have a specific formula for how funds are divided. With 4-H, 50% of the money will stay at the state level to fund programming, and 50% comes back to the County level. Daviess County 4-H will receive $3,473 which will be used for the 4-H Achievement Banquet and to provide scholarships for 4-H Camp and Teen Conference. On behalf of the Daviess County 4-H members, leaders, and agents — THANK YOU to all Daviess County farmers for past and future donations.

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4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

If you are interested in selling items such as produce, flowers, meat, or baked goods at the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market in 2020, it is strongly recommended to attend the sign up meeting on February 17 at

6:00 p.m. at the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service Office.

REMINDER: This fall there will be new labeling on all paraquat products sold in the US. With these newly labeled products, certified applicators must now take a paraquat-specific training before use. Applications “under the direct supervision” of a certified applicator will not be allowed. Paraquat-specific training is available for paraquat users at their convenience at www.usparaquattraining.com. I will not be conducting these trainings; they are only available online.

HORTICULTURE UPDATES

January 29

Owensboro Ag Expo, Owensboro Convention Center

7:30 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.

January 31 Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Daviess County Extension Office 8:30 a.m.

February 5 Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Daviess County Extension Office 6:00 p.m.

February 12-15 National Farm Machinery Show

Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville

February 17 BQCA Training

Daviess County Extension Office 8:30 a.m.

February 20 Green River Area CPH45 cattle sale

Kentuckiana Livestock Market

February 29 Farm City Breakfast

Daviess County High School 7:30 — 9:30 a.m.

March 2 Tobacco Production Update and GAP Training

Daviess County Extension Office 6:00 p.m.

March 11 Spring County Extension Council Meeting

Daviess County Extension Office 6:00 pm.

March 12 BQCA Training, 4:30 p.m.

Beef Cattle Nutrition Management, 6:00 p.m. Daviess County Extension Office

May 12 UK Wheat Field Day

Grain and Forage Center of Excellence at Princeton, KY

July UK Corn, Soybean, and Tobacco Field Day Grain and Forage Center of Excellence at

Princeton, KY

August 7 Friday After 5 Ag Appreciation Night

RiverPark Center, Owensboro

UPCOMING EVENTS AND

IMPORTANT DATES