The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is gearing up for the 2024 Winter Wheat Meeting at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on Feb 1. This annual event is a vital platform for wheat growers and agricultural professionals, discussing the latest developments and research in wheat cultivation and management. 

“In 2023, farmers experienced one of the best years ever for wheat yield and quality,” said Chad Lee, UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence director. “This meeting will discuss what farmers can do to maximize yield and quality for this year’s season and beyond.”  

Several UK experts, including Lee, will deliver presentations on all facets of the wheat industry. In his presentation, Lee will bring practical insights from some of the commonwealth’s most successful wheat producers to the table. 

Bill Bruening will present the Wheat Science Service Award, and provide his wheat crop update, sharing the latest trends and conditions. Jordan Shockley focuses on sustainable agricultural practices and carbon credit economics. Soil health, a critical component of successful wheat production, will be explored by Edwin Ritchey. 

The event also features Kelsey Mehl’s updates on wheat diseases, and Raul Villanueva discusses pest management strategies, specifically focusing on cereal aphids. Grant Gardner will also provide an economic analysis of soft red winter wheat. 

Additionally, Travis Legleiter addresses weed management, a key challenge in wheat cultivation, focusing on winter annual grass weeds in Kentucky fields while Samuel Revolinski plans to highlight herbicide resistance screening. 

Michigan State University’s Dennis Penington presents the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN), a program connecting agricultural organizations and farmers striving to improve wheat performance. The YEN program spans several states and Canadian provinces. Farmers in the program can see production data aggregated across states and the region. 

Rick Siemer, Siemer Milling Corporation president, will deliver the keynote speech, offering insights into the milling industry and its relationship with wheat production. 

Continuing educational credits are available for certified crop advisors — one hour integrated pest management and two crop management hours — and pesticide applicators — two hours category 1A and one hour category 10.   

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. CST, followed by a series of presentations and discussions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Those interested in attending can visit https://wheatscience.ca.uky.edu/events/2024-winter-wheat-meeting to learn more. For more information about UK Martin-Gatton CAFE’s wheat science program, visit http://wheatscience.ca.uky.edu/. 

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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.