2011 Crop Insurance Plan Changes and Choices

Cory Walters, Extension Economist, University of Kentucky
email: Cory Walters

The Risk Management Agency, who oversees the crop insurance program, released their new Common Crop Insurance Policy (CCIP) or otherwise known as COMBO. COMBO represents a new insurance plan structure designed to simplify choices. In COMBO only individual plans not county level plans like Group Risk Income Plan (GRIP

Wheat Crop Condition, March 2011

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky
email: Chad Lee

The cold weather and late emergence of some wheat across the state has many producers concerned about how their crop will do this spring. Much of the first application of fertilizer nitrogen has been applied as well. The warmer temperatures predicted for the week of March 14, 2011 should result in rapid wheat growth. There

Planting soybean into sod, 2011

Chad Lee and Jim Herbek, University of Kentucky
email: Chad Lee or Jim Herbek



Planting soybean into sod is an option for producers looking to increase acres.  Soybean could generate a gross return of  $500 per acre, or more, depending on yield and marketing. Soybean is also a good option for producers who need to renovate pasture and hayfields. Some producers have a lot of experience with

Planting corn into sod, 2011

Chad Lee and Jim Herbek, University of Kentucky
email: Chad Lee or Jim Herbek

Planting corn into sod comes with some general opportunities and challenges. Corn could generate a gross return of $500 to $700 per acre, or more, depending on yield and marketing. That is a large enough opportunity to consider taking old pasture or hay fields and converting them to corn for 2011.

While some

Glyphosate and Potential Interactions with Diseases or Manganese

Chad Lee, University of Kentucky
Email: Chad Lee

There have been some news articles about interactions between glyphosate and manganese (Mn). Other articles discuss possible links between glyphosate and plant diseases.Bob Hartzler at Iowa State does an excellent job of summarizing the current scientific research on the subject. His summary can be found at: http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/mgmt/2010

U.S. Ethanol Policy

The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University just released a policy brief titled "Impact on Ethanol, Corn, and Livestock from Imminent U.S. Ethanol Policy Decisions". The policy brief highlights and analyzes important aspects of the U.S. ethanol policy decisions. You can find the article by clicking on the following link - http://www.card.iastate.edu/

One of the Driest Years Ever in Kentucky

Tom Priddy, University of Kentucky Ag Weather Center

According to preliminary data, since August 1st through November 9, the
state has only received 6.10 inches of rain, which is over 5 inches
below normal. Some west and west-central locations are 9 to 10
inches below normal for that time period.

Here's the latest map
of US Drought Monitor for Kentucky:
http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/