With spring planting just around the corner, farmers and agronomic professionals are preparing to tackle pest management challenges at the Kentucky Crop Health Conference (KCHC) slated for Feb. 6.  

Hosted by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the National Corvette Museum’s conference center, the event will equip attendees with the latest research and strategies for protecting Kentucky’s corn, soybeans and wheat. 

The conference, now in its third year, is designed to provide practical solutions for integrated pest and disease management. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST, participants will hear from leading experts and researchers from across the country.  

This year’s lineup features a mix of national and local experts, including Alyssa Essman from Ohio State University, Justin McMechan from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Wade Webster from North Dakota State University. In addition, UK specialists Travis Legleiter, Carl Bradley, Kiersten Wise and Raul Villanueva will discuss issues spanning weed science, plant pathology and entomology. 

Martin-Gatton CAFE researchers will present updates tailored to Kentucky’s agricultural landscape. Legleiter will outline approaches for combating Italian ryegrass, Bradley will share progress on Red Crown Rot research in soybeans, Wise will cover strategies for tracking corn diseases, and Villanueva will explore methods for managing slugs and snails in soybean fields. 

Essman will dive into the timing of cover crop termination and its role in weed management, while McMechan will address emerging insect issues that pose new challenges to farmers. Webster will share insights into predictive models for managing Tar Spot, a significant threat to corn crops. 

“The Kentucky Crop Health Conference equips agronomic professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions,” said Legleiter, associate extension professor of weed science in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “Bringing together local and national expertise, this event empowers Kentucky’s agricultural community to adopt innovative solutions.” 

In addition to the presentations, attendees can earn educational credits. Certified Crop Advisors will gain 4.5 CEUs in Integrated Pest Management, while Kentucky pesticide applicators can earn 3 CEUs for Category 1A (Agricultural Plant) and 1 CEU for Category 10 (Demonstration and Research). Credits for Tennessee pesticide applicators are pending approval. 

Tickets are available at https://kchc2025.eventbrite.com until Jan. 30. The $80 registration fee includes meals and all conference materials. Organizers note that refunds will not be issued after the ticket sale deadline. 

Breakfast and lunch are included, with sign-in starting at 8 a.m. 

For more information, contact Jason Travis at (859) 562-2569 or email jason.travis@uky.edu. 

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Writer: Jordan Strickler, jstrickler@uky.edu           

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.