Checkoff Events
Bowling Green • January 14
Sloan Convention Center
Reg. 11:30 a.m. Program 12-4
Alex Harrell
Dr. David Kohl
Dr. Dave Kohl is an academic Hall of Famer in the College of Agriculture at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Kohl has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research, and involvement in ag businesses. He has traveled over 10 million miles; conducted more than 7,000 presentations; and published more than 2,500 articles in his career. Dr. Kohl’s wisdom and engagement with all levels of the industry provide a unique perspective into future trends.
These events are brought to you by the Kentucky Soy Checkoff.
Alex Harrell is the current soybean world-record holder with a 2024 documented yield of 218.2856 bushels per acre. That record beat HIS OWN previous world record of 206.7997, so we think it’s a safe bet that everyone can learn something from him.
Harrell used different practices and fertilizer techniques for these two bin-busting numbers, and even different genetic and herbicide traits, but kept his row spacing at 30”.
Come hear him in Bowling Green the day before the Kentucky Commodity Conference. He’ll talk about his experiences with double strip tilling, banded fertility, and his winning mix of seed, in-furrow, 3x3 mix, and herbicide mix broadcast behind the planter.
What is the “secret sauce?” Probably a combination of the above and his soil type, tissue sampling, foliar feeding schedule, and judicious use of pivots. “The beans got what they needed, on the DAY they needed it,” he said. After all the agronomics are dissected and the numbers analyzed, the reality is simple. In 2024, Harrell grew the highest yielding soybeans in the history of the world, and he has great advice for your corn crop, too.
These events are sponsored through funding provided by the United Soybean Board.
Warren Beeler
Winchester • January 28
Clark Co. Extension Office
Reg. 8:30 a.m. Program 9-lunch
This presentation will offer a few new things to consider. First will be an update on soybean physiology that impacts yield determination in the life of the bean plant. Understanding it will make a difference in how beans respond the rest of the year and in how we feed and manage the plant to give us back higher, harvestable yield.
Second, we will look at no till systems and the connection to feeding the crop, while developing the soil simultaneously. If we are focusing only on the soil test levels in no till, we are passing up yield potential. The goal to increase productivity across the board.
Finally, we will look at the influence on nutrient availability and soil development in no till compared to conventionally tilled systems and the impact on long term fertility needs. Developing deeper soils is much preferred over just buying nutrients to impact the surface rhizosphere and changing soil test numbers.
KENTUCKY SOYBEAN PROMOTION DAYS
Murray • January 20
Murray State CFSB Center
Reg. 8:30 a.m. Program 9-lunch
Currently serving as Kentucky’s Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, Warren Beeler is best known as “Mr. Kentucky Agriculture.”
A longtime farmer himself, Beeler has been through the ups and downs of agriculture right here in Kentucky, and has weathered many of the same storms we are in today.
He’ll bring a message from the Commissioner as well as reflect on some of his experiences with the resilience of Kentucky’s agriculturalists.
Spending time with Warren Beeler always leaves us feeling a little more hopeful, and a little less alone. He will be a featured speaker at both events, and we hope that you will join us.
Dan Coffin
Central Kentucky • January 21
Hardin County Extension Office
Reg. 8:30 a.m. Program 9-lunch
Brewer Blessitt
Brewer Blessitt is a graduate of Mississippi State University. He was a generation removed from farming when he left the field of biochemistry and jumped into general agronomy.
He worked 8 years in extension, went back to grad school, and took a job with a major seed company during his doctoral work where he held various positions and geographies over 12 years. He also was fortunate enough to farm part-time with a friend in the northern MS delta. It was there when he started his current business, Blythe Bayou Research and Consulting. He went on to work at a biostimulant company to learn the ins and outs of that emerging industry before leaving to fully focus on his consulting business.
Blessitt was the featured speaker for our Bowling Green Intensive Soybean Management Workshop back in 2023, and he is back by popular demand.
This information is brought to you by Kentucky’s soybean farmers through their checkoff contributions.
