Publications: UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

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small grains

Weed Control Recommendations for Kentucky Grain Crops, 2024

11/9/2020 (major revision)
Authors: J.D. Green, Travis Legleiter

The use of herbicides suggested in this publication is based on research at the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and elsewhere. We have given what we believe to be the most effective herbicides, with the most suitable rates and times of application. Smaller files are available here.

Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Tags:
Size: 6.85 mb
Pages: 144

PR-796

2021 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/12/2021 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Phillip Shine, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

The objective of the Kentucky small grain variety performance test is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat, barley, triticale, and cereal rye that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. New varieties continually are being de-veloped by agricultural experiment stations and commercial firms. Annual evaluation of small grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Progress Report (PR series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, research, small grains, variety trials
Size: 1.64 mb
Pages: 20

AGR-263

Growing Wheat for Forage

4/14/2021 (new)
Authors: Jimmy Henning, Tim Phillips, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch

Wheat is a multipurpose crop that can be used for cover crops, stored forage or grazing. As much as 25% of Kentucky's wheat acreage is not harvested as grain but used for cover crop or forage production. Wheat has excellent winter hardiness and can be sown later in the fall than barley. Wheat is a good choice for planting following corn or soybean harvest to capture residual nitrogen, build soil organic matter and prevent erosion. Wheat provides high quality, early spring growth, but has limited fall growth compared to grazing types of cereal rye.

Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 1.36 mb
Pages: 3

AGR-253

Identifying Freeze Damage in Wheat

8/11/2020 (new)
Authors: Carrie Knott

Wheat and other small grains can be damaged when air temperatures fall below certain thresholds for two or more continuous hours. These temperatures do not necessarily mean that damage will occur. Rather, these temperatures are general guidelines of when damage may occur. It is important that the crop be scouted to determine the extent of the damage, if any.

Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 4.50 mb
Pages: 4

PR-778

2020 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/2/2020 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Phillip Shine, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

The objective of the Kentucky small grain variety performance trials is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat, barley, triticale, spelt, and cereal rye that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. New varieties continually are being developed by agricultural experiment stations and commercial firms. Annual evaluation of small grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

PR-760

2019 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/12/2019 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Matthew Piersawl, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

The 2019 soft red winter wheat growing season ended with Kentucky farmers harvesting approximately 340,000 acres of the 450,000 acres planted, for a total production of 26.2 million bushels of grain. An average yield of 77 bushels per acre was estimated by NASS. The acreage not harvested for grain was primarily used for forage production and cover cropping.

PR-742

2018 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/3/2018 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, M.W. Piersawl, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

The 2018 soft red winter wheat growing season ended with Kentucky farmers harvesting approximately 300,000 acres of the 440,000 acres planted, for a total production of 24 million bushels of grain. An average yield of 80 bushels per acre was estimated by NASS, but that figure may be reduced due to the shorter seed filling period associated with persistent high temperatures in May. The acreage not harvested for grain was primarily used for forage production and cover cropping.

PR-724

2017 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

6/28/2017 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Brandon Roberts, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

The objective of the Kentucky small grain variety performance test is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat, barley, triticale and cereal rye that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. Annual evaluation of small grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

AEC-100

Post-Harvest Management: The Economics of Grain Transportation

10/13/2016 (new)
Authors: Jordan Shockley

While transporting grain to the market may be the last input cost in the production of grain, it is a critical decision a producer has to make, especially when margins are thin. Determining which market to sell your grain (if you have options) can be a complex decision, as the market that provides the highest price is not always the most profitable price.

Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Agricultural Economics (AEC series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 458 kb
Pages: 5

AGR-224

Identifying Wheat Growth Stages

9/30/2016 (new)
Authors: Carrie Knott

Identifying growth stages of any crop is important to enable timely crop management decisions that maximize yields and profitability. There are several wheat growth stages that are important for Kentucky producers to recognize for optimal crop management and to maximize grain yield and profitability.

Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 5.27 mb
Pages: 8

PR-707

2016 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/1/2016 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, John Connelly, Blazan Mijatovic, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

ID-125

A Comprehensive Guide to Wheat Management in Kentucky

2/23/2016 (reprinted)
Authors: Bill Bruening, J.D. Green, John Grove, Jim Herbek, Don Hershman, Doug Johnson, Chad Lee, Jim Martin, Sam McNeill, Michael Montross, Lloyd Murdock, Doug Overhults, Greg Schwab, Lee Townsend, Dick Trimble, Dave Van Sanford

The soft red winter wheat grown in Kentucky is the fourth most valuable cash crop in the state. Winter wheat has been an integral part of crop rotation for Kentucky farmers. Wheat is normally harvested in June in Kentucky and provides an important source of cash flow during the summer months.

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 6.50 mb
Pages: 72

ID-234

Grain Sorghum (Milo) Production in Kentucky

2/8/2016 (new)
Authors: Carl Bradley, Doug Johnson, Carrie Knott, Chad Lee, Jim Martin, Sam McNeill, Edwin Ritchey

Grain sorghum can be used for a variety of purposes including animal feed, unleavened breads, cakes, wallboard, starch, dextrose, brooms, ethanol, high quality wax, and alcoholic beverages. Grain sorghum produced in Kentucky is most commonly used for animal feed and was first grown here in the 1920s. Although acreage in Kentucky has fluctuated considerably over the years, yields have generally exceeded the national average since the 1970s, indicating that grain sorghum is an option for producers interested in diversifying grain crop operations.

Departments: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 1.80 mb
Pages: 8

PR-690

2015 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/6/2015 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, John Connelly, Ron Curd, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

The objective of the Kentucky small-grain variety performance test is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat, and barley that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. New varieties are continually being developed by agricultural experiment stations and commercial firms. Annual evaluation of small-grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

PR-674

2014 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/11/2014 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, John Connelly, Ron Curd, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

CCD-CP-31

Grain Sorghum

5/1/2014 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), commonly called "milo," is used primarily as a feed grain for livestock. Sorghum stubble makes excellent roughage following harvest and can be used for pasture. Grain sorghum can also be made into silage, although sorghum/sudangrass hybrids are more commonly used for this purpose.

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Plant Pathology
Series: Crop Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-CP series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 496 kb
Pages: 3

SR-107

Sensor Technology for Variable Rate Nitrogen Applications on Wheat in Kentucky: Recommendations and Verification

10/28/2013 (new)
Authors: Dottie Call, John James, Lloyd Murdock, Ole Wendroth

Nitrogen (N) applications on wheat using sensor-based technology can improve both N use efficiency and yields.

Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Special Report (SR series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 812 kb
Pages: 6

PR-658

2013 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/12/2013 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, John Connelly, Ron Curd, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

CCD-CP-28

Corn for Grain and Silage

6/15/2013 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser

Corn for grain and silage can be produced for on-farm use and/or off-farm sale. There are a variety of local and regional markets for corn in Kentucky, such as local grain elevators. U.S. producers face international competition in the livestock category; corn prices have fluctuated greatly in recent years. Expanded corn markets, as well as the emergence of more uses for corn, could help stabilize future prices. In addition to animal feed, field corn uses include industrial (sweeteners) and energy (ethanol) products

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Plant Pathology
Series: Crop Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-CP series)
Tags: corn, crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 360 kb
Pages: 3

CCD-CP-47

Wheat

10/24/2012 (new)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser

Wheat, a cereal grain in the grass family, is the fourth most valuable cash crop grown in Kentucky. Current intensive management technology has made it possible for growers to produce a high quality, high-yielding crop. Wheat production is mechanized; with the exception of scouting, little to no handwork is involved with this crop. Despite significant acreage already dedicated to wheat production, additional opportunities continue to be available to make profitable returns. Most wheat grown in the Commonwealth is soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) which is used in cakes, pastries, cookies, crackers, and cereals.

PR-640

2012 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

6/27/2012 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford

The objective of the Kentucky small-grain variety performance test is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat, and barley that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. New varieties continually are being developed by agricultural experiment stations and commercial firms. Annual evaluation of small-grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

PPFS-AG-SG-8

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV) in Kentucky

6/1/2012 (minor revision)
Authors: Don Hershman

Wheat streak mosaic (WSM) is a potentially devastating virus disease of wheat. In the United States, WSM is most prevalent in hard red wheat grown in the central Great Plains region. Soft red winter wheat produced in the mid-south and Midwest is infrequently impacted by WSM. Epidemics are rare in Kentucky with the only recorded ones occurring in 1989 and 2000.

Departments: Plant Pathology
Series: Small Grains Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-AG-SG series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, pests, plant diseases, small grains
Size: 282 kb
Pages: 4

ID-198

Benefits and Costs Associated with the Wheat Storage Hedge

1/24/2012 (new)
Authors: Doug Johnson, Sam McNeill, Cory Walters

Each year producers must decide whether to store or sell their crop at harvest. Market prices are important in guiding producers on whether to store priced grain for future delivery (referred to as a storage hedge), store unpriced grain, or sell. Generally, producers know more about deciding to sell or store unpriced grain than using the storage hedge. This publication explains how a storage hedge works, when to use it, and risks and costs involved. (See glossary for definition of terms.)

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 300 kb
Pages: 4

ASC-186

Distillers Grain Coproducts for Beef Cattle

12/5/2011 (new)
Authors: Roy Burris, Jeff Lehmkuhler

Feeding distillers grains derived from the production of spirits or ethanol for fuel is an acceptable practice for beef cattle production. The use of these products as both an energy and a protein supplement has been beneficial as the cereal grain prices have increased making these coproducts more cost competitive.

Departments: Animal and Food Sciences
Series: Animal Science (ASC series)
Tags: animals, beef cattle, crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, livestock, nutrition and health, production practices, small grains
Size: 231 kb
Pages: 4

PPFS-MISC-6

Assessing Foliar Diseases of Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat: Principles and Practices

11/1/2011 (new)
Authors: Don Hershman, Paul Vincelli

This publication provides basic information on how to conduct disease assessments in on-farm trials. The focus is on foliar diseases, since root diseases are much more difficult to assess properly. The publication begins with fundamentals of proper design of field trials.

Departments: Plant Pathology
Series: Miscellaneous Plant Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-MISC series)
Tags: corn, crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, pests, plant diseases, small grains, soybeans
Size: 719 kb
Pages: 5

PPFS-AG-SG-5

Fungicide Use in Wheat

9/1/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Don Hershman

Disease management is a key component of high-yielding wheat production. In most years, it simply is not possible to produce high wheat yields without paying attention to disease control. Most diseases are best managed through the use of multiple tactics, both proactive (e.g., crop rotation, delayed and/or staggered planting plates, use of resistant varieties of varying maturities, proper fertility, and application of seed treatment and/or foliar fungicides) and reactive (e.g., application of foliar fungicides and timely harvest). Fungicides are just one tool in the disease management arsenal; however, growers often place too much emphasis on this one tool.

PPFS-AG-SG-7

Black "Sooty" Head Mold of Wheat

9/1/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Don Hershman

Each year, just prior to and during wheat harvest, the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories at Princeton and Lexington receive many samples with questions about severe head molding. This condition is known as black head mold or sooty head mold.

CCD-CP-30

Grain Amaranth

7/19/2011 (new)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser

Amaranth is a versatile warm-season, broadleaf plant that can be grown as a grain, ornamental, leafy vegetable, or forage crop. In the U.S. it is grown almost exclusively for its grain, which is produced on large, brightly colored seed heads. Most grain amaranth grown in the States is Amaranthus hypochondriacus; however, A. cruentus is grown to a lesser extent. The seeds are high in lysine, fiber, and protein; low in saturated fats; and gluten-free. Amaranth can be ground into flour, popped like popcorn, or flaked like oatmeal. Because many of amaranth's uses are similar to that of cereal grasses, amaranth is often referred to as a pseudo-cereal.

PR-623

2011 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/7/2011 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Charles Tutt, Dave Van Sanford

The objective of the Kentucky small grain variety performance test is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat and barley that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. New varieties are continually being developed by agricultural experiment stations and commercial firms. Annual evaluation of small grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

PPFS-AG-SG-12

The Importance of Scouting Wheat for Plant Diseases

4/1/2011 (new)
Authors: Don Hershman

For a variety of reasons, few Kentucky wheat producers place much emphasis on scouting their wheat diseases. Time and labor constraints (for do-it-yourselfers), the cost of hiring a crop consultant, and indifference to the need for scouting rank among the top reasons why this is the case. However, scouting is essential for those interested in managing diseases using an integrated approach.

PPFS-AG-SG-6

Preplant Decisions Greatly Impact Disease Potential in Wheat

4/1/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Don Hershman

Kentucky wheat producers have a majority of their disease management program in place once the seed is in the ground. By that time, decisions have been made regarding the length of time since the last wheat crop, tillage method and seedbed preparation, variety selection, seed quality, seed treatment, planting date, seeding rate, seeding method, and fall fertility. Individually and collectively, these decisions play an important role in determining which diseases might develop, their severity, and their potential impact on crop yield, test weight, and grain quality. Because pre-plant and planting decisions are so important in the management of wheat diseases, you need to understand how they influence disease development.

PPFS-AG-SG-4

Wheat Spindle Streak Mosaic Virus (WSSMV)

2/1/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Don Hershman

Wheat spindle streak mosaic (WSSM), also known as wheat yellow mosaic, is a common virus disease that affects only wheat. In most years, WSSM has little to no impact on crops grown in Kentucky. However, significant yield damage can occur in highly susceptible varieties when conditions favor infection and subsequent disease development.

AEC-96

An Introduction to Futures Hedging for Grain Producers

8/12/2010 (new)
Authors: Collin Allgood, Leigh Maynard, Cory Walters

This guide is written for farm producers who want to know the basics of how futures markets operate and how to use them for protection against the risk of falling prices.

Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Agricultural Economics (AEC series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 1.36 mb
Pages: 12

PR-604

2010 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/16/2010 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Charles Tutt, Dave Van Sanford

The objective of the Kentucky small grain variety performance test is to evaluate varieties of wheat and barley that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. Annual evaluation of small grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

PPFS-AG-SG-1

Take-All of Wheat

5/1/2010 (minor revision)
Authors: Paul Bachi, Don Hershman

"Take-all" is the common name of a root, crown, and basal stem (foot) rot that primarily affects wheat, but can also affect barley, oats, rye, as well as other grass crops and weeds. The disease has been known to destroy entire stands of wheat, thus the name. Barley, oats, rye, and other grass crops, however, have not been seriously impacted in Kentucky. Take-all is most common where susceptible crops are grown continuously without adequate rotation, or in fields where weedy grass hosts were not controlled in non-host crops, and were subsequently sown to wheat. The disease is rarely a serious problem in Kentucky due to excellent weed control practices, as well as the widespread adoption of cropping systems where wheat is produced, at most, every other year.

Departments:
Series: Small Grains Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-AG-SG series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, pests, plant diseases, small grains
Size: 248 kb
Pages: 2

PPFS-AG-SG-2

Wheat Bacterial Streak

5/1/2010 (new)
Authors: Paul Bachi, Don Hershman

Occasionally, wheat leaves and spikes are invaded by the bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens. When leaf tissue is affected, the resulting disease is known as bacterial streak. When the bacterium invades the head, the disease is called black chaff. While this disease has primarily been a problem in the lower mid-South, it is often found in Kentucky in fields that have been impacted by strong winds with blowing soil or following a damaging freeze.

ID-177

Comparing No-Till and Tilled Wheat in Kentucky

8/26/2009 (new)
Authors: Dottie Call, Larry Grabau, John Grove, Jim Herbek, Don Hershman, John James, Doug Johnson, Jim Martin, Lloyd Murdock, Dave Van Sanford

Historically, wheat planting in Kentucky has involved tillage. With conventional tillage practices, most residues from the previous crop are cut and buried prior to seeding wheat. No-till wheat planting eliminates tillage and reduces soil erosion, particularly on sloping soils, as well as reducing labor, machinery, and energy costs.

Departments: Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, small grains
Size: 233 kb
Pages: 10

PR-586

2009 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test

7/10/2009 (new)
Authors: Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Sandy Swanson, Charles Tutt, Dave Van Sanford

PPFS-AG-S-8

Value of Wheat Residue in Soybean Cyst Nematode Management

3/1/2009 (minor revision)
Authors: Don Hershman

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) is the most widespread and significant pest of soybean in Kentucky. SCN is managed primarily by rotating fields to non-host crops (such as corn) and using SCN-resistant varieties. However, for a variety of reasons, producers occasionally desire to plant a SCN-susceptible variety.

Departments: Plant Pathology
Series: Soybean Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-AG-S series)
Tags: crops and plants, farm crops, grain crops, pests, plant diseases, small grains, soybeans
Size: 218 kb
Pages: 3