Cooperative Extension in Kentucky: Taking Research to the People

Transcription

1 Cooperative Extension in Kentucky: Taking Research to the People Dr. Bob Pearce Associate Extension Professor Plant and Soil Sciences Department University of Kentucky

2 In memory of Dr. Larry W. Turner Associate Dean for Extension Director Cooperative Extension Service University of Kentucky Kentucky Cooperative Extension is truly committed to conducting educational programs that make a difference, through which Cooperative Extension can enhance the quality of life for all Kentuckians.

3 Outline What is Extension What is the Land Grant Mission University of Kentucky State of Kentucky Administrative Structure of Extension Tobacco Extension Program Examples of Tobacco Extension

4 What is Cooperative Extension A nationwide educational network that is a collaboration between federal, state, and local governments. Federal Provides oversight, administrative structure and funding to states. State -- Provides funding and support for state staff most at the Land Grant University. Local Provide buildings for local offices and support for some local staff.

5 Mission of Cooperative Extension To provide unbiased research based information to the people on a variety of subjects Three main program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources Improved farming practices Environmental protection Family and Consumer Sciences Nutrition Health promotion Youth Development (4H) Skills and leadership

6 History of land grant and Cooperative Extension 1862 Morrill Act: Granted public lands to the States and Territories to provide for the establishment of Colleges for the Benefit of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Hatch Act: Established agricultural experiment stations in connection with the colleges established under the Morrill Act Smith-Lever Act: Cooperative Extension was designed as a partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the land-grant universities, legislation in the various States has enabled local governments to become a third legal partner in this education endeavor.

7 The Land Grant Mission Three essential functions Teaching provide resident instruction Research increase knowledge base teaching research extension Extension provide outreach to general public

8 University of Kentucky Total enrollment: Approximately 28,000 Sixteen Academic Colleges Bachelor s degree 88 programs Master s degree 93 programs Doctoral degree 60 programs College of Agriculture: Approximately 2,000 Bachelor s degree 18 programs Master s degree 12 programs Doctoral degree 9 programs

9 Kentucky Facts Total land area: 10,274,500 ha Total population: 4,041,769 Farm facts Farms: 86,000 farms Full time farmers: 47,000 Total farmland: 5,585,000 ha Average farm size: 67 ha Total cash receipts (2004): $4,126,185,000 Tobacco cash receipts (2004): $421,694,000

10 120 counties Kentucky

11 Kentucky 120 counties 300 km 650 km

12 Administrative Structure Cooperative Extension Dean College of Agriculture Director of Ag. Exp Station Associate Dean for Extension Department Chairman Assistant Program Directors District Directors Extension Specialists Regional Coordinators County Office Staff

13 County Extension Council The success of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service relies on the active participation of Kentuckians in carrying out programs Volunteer leaders from the community Reflect the diversity of the community Represent the 3 main program areas The primary mechanism for securing input in support and direction of local Extension programs

14 Functions of the County Council Determine individual and community needs Communicate needs to agents Identify and secure available resources Promote extension to local government Demonstrate the value of extension in the community Set and act upon goals Assist in developing programs to meet needs Assist with program implemention Evaluate program impact

15 Set state wide priorities Information Flow Communicate needs & Administer funds State Extension Council Express local priorities County Agent Local needs Set priorities County Extension Council Extension Administration Agent training Clientele Express needs State Extension Specialists

16 Tobacco Extension State Specialists with Tobacco Responsibilities Specialist Dr. Gary Palmer Dr. Bob Pearce Dr. Andy Bailey Dr. Kenny Seebold Dr. Lee Townsend Dr. George Duncan Dr. Will Snell Department Plant and Soil Sciences Plant and Soil Sciences Plant and Soil Sciences Plant Pathology Entomology Agr. Engineering Agr. Economics Interest area Burley production Burley production Dark tobacco production Tobacco diseases Insect pests Harvest mechanization Budgets & policy

17 Extension activities in tobacco Grower meetings Field days Diagnostic Services Consultations Publications Web sites

18 Extension activities in tobacco Grower meetings Field days Diagnostic Services Consultations Publications Web sites

19 Extension activities in tobacco Grower meetings Field days Diagnostic Services Consultations Publications Web sites

20 Extension activities in tobacco Grower meetings Field days Diagnostic Service Consultations Publications Web sites

21 Extension activities in tobacco Grower meetings Field days Diagnostic Services Consultations Publications Web sites

22 Extension activities in tobacco Grower meetings Field days Diagnostic Services Consultations Publications Web sites

23 Examples of Extension Impacts on Tobacco Production in Kentucky

24 Transplant Production Prior to 1988 most tobacco transplants were grown in soil beds

25 Float system introduced 1988

26 Fertilizer source problem

27 Disease problems

28 Extension response

29 Today All transplants are grown in float systems Many grown in greenhouses professional growers Management has evolved On-going support Annual tests of soilless media performance Support for registration of additional pesticides

30 Sucker Control Since its introduction in the mid 50s maleic hydrazide (MH) was the standard treatment for sucker control in burley tobacco. Methods had changed little over the years Fine mist applied to top of plant Problems Poor control Hot dry conditions limited uptake Rain within 12 hours resulted in wash off Growers made extra applications Residues became a problem

31 Effects of Application of MH by Coarse vs Fine Cured leaf Yield (kg/ha) Nozzles on Yield of Burley Tobacco Demonstration studies Bath Fleming Jackon Knox Laurel Lawrence Nelson Pendleton Average* Fine Coarse

32 Influence of Sucker Control Across Four Location on Burley Tobacco Yield Demonstration studies Cured leaf yield (kg/ha) MH(2)F MH(2) MH(1.5)+P(.5) MH(1)+P(.5) MH(1.5)+B(.5) MH(1)+B(.5) Locations = Bath, Knox, Jackson & Pendleton LSD 0.05 = 177

33 Advantages of Combination Higher yields Better returns Improved sucker control Lower MH residue Extended Control 5-7 wks Rain safety after 2 hrs Produces darker cured leaf Not as weather dependent No cover crop concern No ground sucker concern Improved grower confidence

34 Application Changes Changes in equipment were required switch from fine to coarse nozzles Sprayer upgrades Nozzle give aways Partnered with industry Conducted numerous demonstrations.

35 Range of MH Residues in Kentucky for % Extremely High Very High High Medium Low Low < 41, Medium = 41-80, High = , Very High = , Extremely High >200 ppm

36 Average MH levels Burley Tobacco in Kentucky MH residue (ppm) Year

37 Future Direction MH Free Burley Tobacco?

38 The Development and Adoption of Conservation Tillage Practices for Burley Tobacco Production in Kentucky R. C. Pearce

39 No-till in Kentucky

40 No-till Tobacco Production Soil Conservation Moisture Conservation Reduced Field Preparation Allows timely field operations Cleaner cured leaf

41 Impediments to the Adoption of No-till Tobacco Production Tradition -- you just can t treat tobacco that way Lack of appropriate transplanter technology Limited weed control options Uncertainty Buyout Future production levels Long term outlook

42 Transplanter Modification No-till Colter Cuts residue Provides narrow tilled zone Subsoil shank Provides loose soil under root ball Pulls unit into soil Press wheels Close and firm soil around roots

43 Transplanter Modification

44 Advances in weed control Herbicide Trial 1994 Washington County, Kentucky Conventional No-till Mech Pendimethalin Clomazone Sulfentrazone + Pendimet... Sulfentrazone + Clomazone CHK Cured leaf yield (kg/ha)

45 Sufentrazone + Clomazone Check

46 Suggested weed control program for no-till tobacco Sulfentrazone (Spartan 4F) - required 10 to 14 days before plant 0.35 to 0.42 kg ai/ha Clomazone (Command 3 ME) recommended Tank mix with Spartan Post with in 7 days of transplanting (preferred) 0.84 to 1.12 kg ai/ha Pendimethalin (Prowl 3.3 EC) optional Tank mix with Spartan 0.93 to 1.4 kg ai/ha

47 Yield (kg/ha) No-till Fertility Trial Casey Co. Robert Hampton Farm LSD Nitrogen fertilizer kg N/ha Flyings Lugs Leaf Tips

48 No-till tobacco trials 1994 to trials 46 counties

49 Grower Adoption of No-till Tobacco Charlie Tarter Farm Edmonson County First large scale planting 1.5 ha.

50 Grower Adoption of No-till Tobacco Todd McFarland -- Bourbon County Kentucky Cattle, Hay and Tobacco No-till tobacco ha 3192 kg/ha ha 3326 kg/ha ha 2800 kg/ha ha ha ha 2800 kg/ha ha 3214 kg/ha Tobacco rotates after hay

51 Future of No-till Tobacco in Kentucky About 3 to 6 % of the crop is conservation tillage Grower adoption will continue to expand Need for additional land for rotation Improved timeliness Grower innovations will improve transplanters Increasing fuel costs Research needs Explore conservation /minimum till options Improve understanding of root growth and compaction issues in conservation tillage. Continue work on post-transplant weed control

52 Summary The Cooperative Extension System in Kentucky is one of the strongest in the U.S. Focused on the needs of the people Input from local leaders Stay aware of national trends and emerging issues Direct link to the research at the State University Agents in every Kentucky county Bringing new technology and ideas directly into the community to solve everyday problems Many dedicated agents and specialists

53 Thank you