Items by Chad Lee
Corn across Kentucky will jump over the next week and we’ll find out if we need to pay for any planting sins.
By Chad Lee,
Matt Dixon,
and Mohammad Shamim
Published on Jun. 20, 2025
The heat and sun over the next few days will send a lot of corn to tassel and will help younger corn reach rapid growth. All of the corn that had looked pale and yellow during those storms will reach a deep green color by Monday, June 23, 2025, as long as it has adequate nutrients and good roots.
Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest Changes for 2025
By Chad Lee
Published on Jun. 13, 2025
The Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest has two major changes for 2025. The first change is a new harvest area size of 1.50 acres. The second change is the addition of Wheat Quality Awards.
Cover Crop Options on Prevented Planting Acres in 2025
By Chad Lee,
Chris Teutsch,
Erin Haramoto,
Hanna Poffenbarger,
and J.D. Green
Published on Jun. 13, 2025
As of the June 9, 2025 USDA Crop Progress Report, corn planting progress was only 88% which is 7 points behind the 5-year average of 95%.
Flooding and Freezing Effects on Wheat and Corn
By Chad Lee
Published on Apr. 11, 2025
Articles in this newsletter address the rainfall totals received since the first of April and the expected nitrogen losses from those conditions. There are other concerns about how the wheat crop will recover from the excessive rains. The following are some expectations and assumptions. Be cautious with these.
Winter Wheat in February
By Chad Lee
Published on Feb. 21, 2025
Most winter wheat survived well during the previous cold weather. While the air temperatures dropped near zero most soil temperatures at 2 inches below the surface remained above freezing (Kentucky Mesonet).
Soil Temperatures Remain Above Freezing Across Kentucky
By Chad Lee
Published on Jan. 20, 2025
Soils at 2-inch depths are staying above freezing so far around the state. The Kentucky Mesonet records soil temperatures at certain locations. For the sites we checked, all the soils are still above 32°F.
