Corn Leafhopper Detected in Kentucky Corn in 2025

By Felipe Batista, Kiersten Wise, and Raul Villanueva
Published on Aug. 15, 2025

Current Status

Damage by Pillbugs on Soybean Seedlings under Laboratory Conditions

By Raul Villanueva
Published on Aug. 15, 2025

Pillbugs, or roly-polies, are land-dwelling crustaceans—not insects. They are commonly found in moist environments with decaying organic matter and are generally considered decomposers. However, under favorable conditions, pillbugs can sometimes feed on live plant tissue, particularly during the early growth stages of crops like soybeans.

Well-Filled Ears and High Corn Yields

By Dennis Egli
Published on Aug. 15, 2025

We’ve all seen advertisements for corn hybrids that show a row of corn with an ear on every plant that is filled to the tip. The implication is that well-filled ears are an indication of high yield.

Corn is not making your days more humid

By Chad Lee
Published on Jul. 25, 2025

When it gets very hot and very humid, people see the fields of tall, green corn and point the finger at these fields. Corn is not making your days more humid unless you are walking in corn fields all day.

Corn is Demanding a Lot of Water and Our Soils Should Have It

By Chad Lee
Published on Jul. 16, 2025

According to the July 6, 2025 USDA Crop Progress Report, 40% of corn in Kentucky had reached silking and 4% had reached the dough stage. From the earliest appearance of tassels until pollination is complete corn demands the most water and is the most sensitive to a lack of water.

Foliar Fungicide Considerations for Soybean

By Carl Bradley
Published on Jul. 16, 2025

As full-season soybean fields in Kentucky approach the R3 (beginning pod) developmental stage, it generally is time to consider an application of a foliar fungicide to protect against foliar diseases.

How Soybeans Respond to Drought Stress: Insights from 2024's Dry Spell

By Mohammad Shamim
Published on Jul. 14, 2025

Drought or moisture stress is one of the most critical factors affecting crop yield.

Time and Crop Productivity

By Dennis Egli
Published on Jul. 14, 2025

Time is an important resource. We never seem to have enough, and it often passes too fast. But the truth is, we don’t often think about time when we think about crop productivity.

Tracking Important Corn Diseases

By Kiersten Wise
Published on Jul. 11, 2025

On July 10, southern rust was confirmed in Crittenden County at low levels.

Postharvest Management of Canola and Wheat

By Sam McNeill
Published on Jul. 11, 2025

Canola and wheat are mostly harvested across Kentucky, so now is a good time to review some of the physical properties of these crops in order to maintain their quality during storage. An important consideration is how these grains interact with air to control biological activity that can potentially cause spoilage and a loss in value.