Kentucky Crop Health Conference 2024 Registration Now Open

By Jordan Strickler

The Kentucky Crop Health Conference (KCHC) is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2024, at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. The all-day event focuses on integrated pest management for grain crops and features experts from across the nation. The KCHC is open to a broad audience, including growers, agricultural agents, crop consultants and industry representatives. 

This year’s conference will feature presentations from University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service specialists and nationally recognized pest management experts. 

UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment representatives include Carl Bradley talking about red crown rot in soybeans, Kiersten Wise discusses new corn disease concerns, Raul Villanueva explores emergent pests in recent corn and soybean seasons and Travis Legleiter talks about early planted soybean and weed control. 

Other speakers include Thomas Butts from the University of Arkansas discussing drone herbicide applications. Nicholas Seiter from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  addresses insect management in corn, and Iowa State University’s Gregory Tylka presents on soybean cyst nematode. 

“The KCHC is a great opportunity for Kentucky crop consultants and farmers to hear from nationally recognized pest specialists,” said Travis Legleiter, UK Department of Plant and Soil Sciences associate professor of weed science. “The KCHC is unique, providing expertise from outside of Kentucky, as well as the quality information that people expect from UK pest specialists.” 

Conference sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m. CST and begins shortly after. The program includes breakfast and lunch. Tickets are non-refundable after Jan. 25, 2024, with sales closing Feb. 1. Additionally, Certified Crop Advisors and Kentucky and Tennessee pesticide applicators attending the event can earn continuing education units.