AgLand is a Big Hit at Kentucky State Fair;
1200 Cans of Corn Donated to Georgetown Food Pantry

Kentucky's agriculture community came together for the first time to provide State Fair goers a new farm experience called AgLand. Most of the agriculture exhibits were located in South Wing A and included a 12-foot can sculpture of sweet corn. Those cans were donated to the Amen House food pantry in Georgetown following the fair.

The Kentucky State Fair is a great way to reach thousands of visitors with educational information. Our booth included several Kentucky corn facts and an ethanol display. Fair goers were provided recipe cards for Kentucky corn bread and several classic bourbon cocktails. 

We are looking forward to taking part in this promotion opportunity again next year. 


Be sure to check out our Facebook page for a live stream video and photos of the Olmstead Lock & Dam ribbon cutting.  Thank you Senator McConnell, Congressman Comer, US Army Corp, and all those that helped make this happen!
Latest Grower Resources & Upcoming Events

UK Late Season Field School - September 6
UKREC, Princeton

UK Fragipan Field Day - October 3
UKREC, Princeton
Learn more

UK Crop Marketing and Management Newsletter

Topics in this  Month's Update:
  1. August Crop Production Report: USDA Projects Large Corn and Soybean Yields
  2. August WASDE Update: Corn May Weather the Storm Better than Soybeans
  3. Corn and Soybean Crop Condition: 2018 vs. Previous Years
  4. Precipitation and Temperature Outlook: Implications for the Growing Season
  5. 2017 Corn, Soybean, and 2018 Wheat Basis vs. Previous Years - Implications for Storage
  6. Projected Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Futures Trading Ranges to July 2019
  7. 2018 Corn and Soybean Risk Management Opportunities
  8. 2019 Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Risk Management Opportunities for February Delivery
  9. 2018 Corn and Soybean Risk Management Plan - August Update
  10. How has USDA's Yield Forecast Changed from August to January over the Last Twenty Years? What are the Implications for 2018 Corn and Soybean Yields and Their Balance Sheets?

UK  Economic and Policy Update

Featured Articles
  • It Is What It Is; What are You Going to Do About It? - Jennifer Rogers
  • Mid-Year Cattle Inventory Suggests Slower Expansion Ahead - Kenny Burdine
  • The Future of Agricultural Machinery and the Economic Questions That Arise - Jordan Shockley
  • 2018 National Land Values Summary - Steve Isaacs
Current Corn Yield Prediction Might Be High
By Chad Lee

The USDA Crop Forecast from August 10, 2018 predicted Kentucky corn at 175 bushels per acre, down 3 bushels from 2017. They forecast a national yield that is about 2 bushels better than 2017.

Predicting corn yield is a challenge each year and perhaps more so for this season. Over the past 60 days, much of the Kentucky corn crop has pollinated, initiated seed fill, progressed through the milk and dough stages and now is in the dent stage. The past 60 days slightly above normal for temperatures and mixed for rainfall. Nighttime temperatures have been higher than the overall average temperatures. Of all the variables, the nighttime temperatures may be the key to expected yields.

During the day, corn uses energy from the sun to produce sugars from water and carbon dioxide. In my opinion, this is the most amazing solar-powered reaction on the planet. At night, the plant uses the sugar through respiration to build plant structures, fill seeds and maintain the plant. Rainfall and temperature are critical to both photosynthesis and respiration working well.


ARMS Data will Help Facilitate Farm Bill Discussions

NASS will soon start conducting the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) Phase II for corn and soybeans. The surveys are similar to ones conducted last year for 2016 crops.

Sampled producers have received a postcard informing them that an interviewer will contact them to schedule an appointment. This will begin in September and continue through October. There are roughly 200 corn growers and 200 soybean growers sampled for the surveys. We encourage our contacted members to respond to benefit all Kentucky grain farmers.

Data collected from the survey are used to calculate cost of production and farm income estimates. This information is used extensively in Farm Bill discussions and will likely be used to make decisions about the trade aid.  Additionally, NASS publishes chemical use data; information on that program can be found here.

NASS hopes that growers strongly consider participating and ask the hard questions if they have concerns or reservations.