Kentucky Corn and Small Grain Growers Submit Recommendations to USDA on Climate Smart Agriculture Guidelines

The Kentucky Corn Growers Association (KYCGA) and the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association (KYSGGA) submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Energy and Environmental Policy. These comments were provided on behalf of the state’s 6,000 corn and small grains growers, offering suggestions for the development of the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) guidelines.

Both associations express their support for the Administration’s initiatives to promote sustainable agricultural practices, including efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, increase the use of lower carbon-intensive feedstocks in biofuel production, and enhance carbon sequestration in soils. Additionally, the associations commend the USDA for enhancing the guidance of the previous pilot program in April 2024.

Currently, Kentucky grain producers are adopting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices at a higher rate than the national average. Nearly 64 percent of Kentucky acres utilize no-till practices, and 11 percent are planted with cover crops, excluding those in a corn-wheat-soybean rotation. In contrast, only 38 percent of U.S. acres use no-till, and 6.5 percent are planted with cover crops.

KYCGA President Josh Lancaster said corn growers want to implement reasonable and sustainable agricultural practices.

“As we work towards expanding sustainability in agriculture, it’s essential that the guidelines reflect the realities of farming. By supporting policies that reduce time and cost burdens on farmers, and creating systems that fairly allocate carbon reduction value, we are not only helping Kentucky’s farmers but also contributing to the long-term health of the agricultural industry and the environment,” Lancaster said.

KYSGGA President Neil Denton said that Kentucky grain producers are already leading the way in CSA practices and are committed to staying at the forefront of these efforts.

“Kentucky’s grain producers are already leading the way in adopting CSA practices, and we’re committed to continuing that progress. By refining the guidelines to allow for practical adjustments, we can ensure that farmers remain at the forefront of sustainable agricultural practices while strengthening the supply chain.”

The KYCGA and KYSGGA proposed a modification to the guidelines regarding cover crops, specifically requesting removing the restriction that cover crops cannot be mechanically harvested, grazed, or fertilized.

Additionally, the KYCGA and KYSGGA provided feedback on the guidelines concerning nitrogen use on cover crops. They suggested adjusting the time frame between nitrogen application and planting to account for weather-related delays. The associations also submitted comments regarding the timing of split-season nitrogen applications and the use of nitrification inhibitors.

A comment was also submitted regarding the no-till CSA guidelines, recommending a shift from requiring no-till for four out of every five years to four out of every five crops.

The associations recommended creating a standardized biofuel feedstock report, developed with input from commodity groups, elevator associations, and biofuel organizations. This would help reduce the time and cost burdens on farmers and the supply chain. In addition to the Biofuel Feedstock Report, they suggested transitioning to a book-and-claim system to prevent the costs of additional staff from being indirectly passed on to farmers.