ID-36: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2026-28

Shawn Wright, Rachel Rudolph, Ric Bessin, Nicole Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger, Ed Dixon, Henry Smith, April Lamb, Oluwaseun Kolawole | February 3, 2026 (Major Revision)

Successful vegetable production generally requires the grower to make daily decisions regarding pest management, irrigation, and cultural practices. Would-be growers unwilling to make serious investments of time (and money) should not attempt to expand beyond a space at the farmers’ market. It is important for vegetable growers to have a market outlet for their product before they choose to start production. Good marketing plans start with the customer and work backward to production. Potential growers should first determine exactly what buyers want, how they want it, and when they want it. They then must determine how these crops should be grown. Even selecting varieties and determining planting times are basic marketing decisions. Kentucky growers should pay particular attention to comparisons of marketing time required, compatibility with off-farm employment, compatibility with tobacco production, and other farm demands. Individual situations vary, and producers often must learn about their particular markets by starting small and getting a foot in the door.

PPA-51: Curvularia Leaf Spot of Corn

Kiersten Wise, Nolan Anderson, Kelsey Mehl, Carl Bradley | January 22, 2026 (New)

Curvularia leaf spot is a corn disease that was reported for the first time in the United States in Louisiana in 2017 and was confirmed in Kentucky in 2018. Curvularia leaf spot causes yield loss in tropical areas and is considered to be one of the most important diseases of corn in China. Yield losses in the United States due to this disease were first reported in 2023, although reported losses to date remain low. This publication describes the symptoms and cause of disease, conditions that favor disease development, and foliar diseases that have similar symptoms.

IP-74: Open Burning

Amanda Gumbert | January 22, 2026 (Major Revision)

Disposing of our waste items by open burning has been a way of life for many years. Many of us grew up with a backyard burn barrel, and some of us may still use such a disposal device. However, today’s waste contains more plastics and other synthetic materials than ever before. These materials release more harmful chemicals when burned than the cardboard and paper packaging of the past. Open burning can negatively impact our environment and our health. Many respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and nervous system disorders have been linked to open burning.

PR-880: 2025 Long-Term Summary of Kentucky Forage Variety Trials

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch | January 15, 2026 (New)

Forage crops occupy approximately 7 million acres in Kentucky. Forages provide a majority of the nutrition for beef, dairy, horse, goat, sheep, and wildlife in the state. In addition, forage crops play a positive environmental role in soil conservation, water quality, and air quality. There are more than 60 forage species adapted to the climate and soil conditions of Kentucky. Only 10 to 12 of these species occupy the majority of the acreage, but within these species there is a tremendous variation in varieties.

PR-879: 2025 Annual Grass Report Warm Season and Cool Season (Cereals)

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Brittany Hendrix, Bill Bruening | January 14, 2026 (New)

Summer annual grasses provide an important forage crop option for producers in Kentucky. These grasses are mainly used as emergency or supplemental pasture, silage, or hay crops, but little information is available on their yield potential. The purpose of this publication is to summarize the University of Kentucky 2008-2025 forage yield trials with sudangrass, sorghum/sudangrass, forage sorghum, millets, teff, crabgrass, and cereal crops.

PR-874: 2025 Timothy and Kentucky Bluegrass Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Tim Phillips, Chris Teutsch | January 13, 2026 (New)

Timothy (Phleum pratense) is the fourth most widely sown cool-season perennial grass used in Kentucky for forage—after tall fescue, orchardgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. It is a late-maturing bunchgrass that is primarily harvested as hay, particularly for horses. It also can be used for grazing or wildlife habitat.

PR-869: 2024-2025 Specialty Crops Research Report

Brent Arnoldussen, Cindy Finneseth, Rachel Rudolph, Daniel Becker, Christine Bradley, Kathryn Pettigrew, Martin Polo, Ginny Travis | January 9, 2026 (New)

Similar to the last compilation of reports (PR-832), this features work from the last two years. Additionally, readers will likely have noticed the name change from Fruit and Vegetable Research Report to Specialty Crops Research Report. With the addition of new faculty in the Department of Horticulture and the expansion of interest in cut flowers and ornamentals, we thought it appropriate to update the publication’s name. Readers will still find rigorous and interesting trial information and perhaps find something new they may want to trial on their own farms. Research was conducted by University of Kentucky faculty, staff, and students from the horticulture department, as well as faculty, staff, and students of Kentucky State University.

PR-872: 2025 Orchardgrass Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Tim Phillips, Brittany Hendrix | January 7, 2026 (New)

Orchardgrass (Dactylus glomerata) is a high-quality, productive, cool-season grass that is well-adapted to Kentucky conditions. This grass is used for pasture, hay, green chop, and silage, but it requires better management than tall fescue for greater yields, higher quality, and longer stand life. It produces an open, bunch-type sod, making it compatible with alfalfa or red clover as a pasture and hay crop or as habitat for wildlife.

PR-873: 2025 Tall Fescue, Bromegrass, and Meadow Fescue Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Tim Phillips, Brittany Hendrix | January 7, 2026 (New)

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a productive, well-adapted, persistent, soil-conserving, cool-season grass grown on approximately 5.5 million acres in Kentucky. This grass, used for both hay and pasture, is the forage base of most of Kentucky’s livestock enterprises, particularly beef cattle.

PR-875: 2025 Annual and Perennial Ryegrass and Festulolium Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Tim Phillips, Chris Teutsch | January 7, 2026 (New)

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) are high quality, productive, cool-season grasses used in Kentucky. Both have exceptionally high seedling vigor and are highly palatable to livestock. In Kentucky, winter survival can be an issue for many annual ryegrass varieties, so before planting, review winter survival results in this publication.