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Kentucky agronomist says additional management challenges possible this year

Warm weather has helped Kentucky farmers get a jump start on planting this year. But, University of Kentucky agronomist Chad Lee says the recent cold snap has slowed emergence.  “The seeds that were in the soil trying to go through the initial phases of germination, and we’ve had very cold weather since that weekend,” he says. “We’ve had very cold weather every night and that’s really slowed down the germination process.”

When that happens, he tells Brownfield it puts extra stress on the seeds.  “And it also gives a chance for things that like to eat seeds to move into that area as well,” he says.  “So over the next week or so, I wouldn’t be surprised that we see some erratic stands from some of those plantings that took place late last week.”

Lee says the warmer winter and early warm-up could also create some management challenges for farmers this spring. “It wouldn’t be surprising that we do have a little more insect pressure, a little more disease pressure in some of our fields, and even some rodent pressure from voles,”.

According to the latest Crop Progress report from the USDA shows the planting pace for both corn and soybeans is running well ahead of last year and the 5-year average.

AUDIO: Chad Lee, University of Kentucky