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College News

UK-UT Demonstration Study Emphasizes Holistic, Integrated Approach to Protect Stored Grain from Mold and Insect Pests.

UK-UT Demonstration Study Emphasizes Holistic, Integrated Approach to Protect Stored Grain from Mold and Insect Pests.

UK-UT Demonstration Study Emphasizes Holistic, Integrated Approach to Protect Stored Grain from Mold and Insect Pests.

PRINCETON, Ky.—

Kentucky's grain farmers produced approximately 240 million bushels of corn, wheat and soybeans in 2001. Large portions of these crops will be held in on-farm bins between one to six months or longer.

Although the current worldwide glut of coarse grains and oilseeds has kept prices fairly low, the combined value of these crops is roughly $619 million at annual average prices.

Prudent management of these products is obviously required to protect product quality during storage, said Sam McNeill, University of Kentucky Extension agricultural engineer. Otherwise, elevator discounts can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars of lost profits for producers.

UK Extension entomologist Doug Johnson and McNeill have collaborated with their counterparts from the University of Tennessee to conduct a demonstration study that emphasizes a holistic, integrated approach to protect stored grain from mold and insect pests.

The UT-UK integrated pest management (IPM) team's collaboration has lead to a demonstration project where IPM strategies for stored corn and wheat are being compared to typical practices being used by farmers in both states, McNeill said.

The latest grain storage management tips were included in the new UKCA Corn Production Handbook. For more information contact the local Cooperative Extension Service office.

Contact Information

Scovell Hall Lexington, KY 40546-0064

cafenews@uky.edu