2026 Kentucky Crop Health Conference Helps Farmers Address Pest Challenges In The New Year

By Jennifer Elwell

Farmers and agronomic professionals are encouraged to attend the fourth annual Kentucky Crop Health Conference (KCHC), Feb. 5 in Bowling Green, to prepare for pest challenges in the coming year.

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 provide a lineup of national and local experts equipped with the latest research and practical strategies for protecting the region’s corn, soybeans and wheat. 

Featured speakers and sessions include:

• Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Ohio State University – Digging Deeper: Managing Soybean Cyst Nematode and Other Soilborne Pathogens
• Jocelyn Smith, University of Guelph, Ridgetown – The Resurgence of European Corn Borer in Canada
• Rodrigo Werle, University of Madison-Wisconsin – Targeted Herbicide Applications: Research Insights and Impact on the Future of Weed Control
• Carl Bradley, UK – Research Update on Red Crown Rot of Soybeans
• Raul Villanueva, UK – Update on Mollusk Management and Corn Leafhoppers
• Travis Legleiter, UK – The Battle Against Ryegrass Continues
• Kiersten Wise, UK – Winning the Battle Against Corn Diseases
• Matthew Springer, UK – Multiple Methods to Reduce Wildlife Losses in Row Crop Production

“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 our Kentucky and neighboring agricultural communities to adopt innovative solutions.”