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Kentucky Pest News Offers Timely Information During the Growing Season

Kentucky Pest News Offers Timely Information During the Growing Season

Kentucky Pest News Offers Timely Information During the Growing Season

PRINCETON, Ky.—

As the growing season approaches, farmers, gardeners and homeowners can look to Kentucky Pest News to keep them alerted to potential problems.

The articles contained in the Kentucky Pest News newsletter are submitted by University of Kentucky College of Agriculture entomology, plant pathology and agronomy Cooperative Extension specialists for a variety of pests including insects, diseases and weeds. The newsletter is published weekly during the peak growing season, generally mid-March through August, and bi-weekly the remainder of the year.

With the time-sensitive nature of much of the information, the Internet edition has proven to be the most effective means of getting the word out, said Lee Townsend, UK Extension Entomologist and newsletter coordinator. This electronic version began in 1997 and all previous issues are available for reference, he said. In 2001, the newsletter received 150,000 Internet visits.

Additionally, the newsletter can link readers to further information about a pest discussed in an article.

The newsletter can be accessed at www.uky.edu/Agriculture/kpn/kpnhome.htm and a person can electronically subscribe to the newsletter getting it via e-mail, Townsend said.

Articles in the newsletter are sometimes determined by historical data such as knowing what time of year a pest is active and giving advance notice. Other articles result from calls specialists receive regarding certain pests, and still others are generated based on what is being seen at the plant diagnostic lab. New product information also can be found in the newsletter. Topics can range from grain crops to shade trees to fruit and vegetable problems.

County Extension agents use the information in the newsletter in their local newspaper columns to further the information's reach, Townsend said.

Contact Information

Scovell Hall Lexington, KY 40546-0064

cafenews@uky.edu