Free soil testing program offered

Related Photos

Brandon Sears Extension Agent

August 25, 2010

Brandon Sears Register Columnist The Richmond Register Wed Aug 25, 2010, 10:00 AM EDT

RICHMOND — Soil testing is a very important part of most any agriculture and/or horticultural operation. It allows the producer to apply soil amendments that are needed (fertilizer, lime, micronutrients, etc.) in amounts needed for maximum crop production potential.

Free soil testing will be available during the months of September, October and November at the Madison County Extension Office. The normal $6 per sample charge will be waived. Agricultural and horticultural samples from Madison County residents will both be accepted. There is a 10 sample-per-person limit.

Fall is a great time to soil sample! Turnaround time at the UK soil testing lab is less because of lower demand during this period of the year, so results come back quicker. Fertilizer prices are typically lower in the fall. If needed, a fall application of phosphorus, potassium or lime will allow any low testing soils to equilibrate prior to the spring planting season. This is especially important if an application of lime is called for. Also, assessing soil fertility needs in the fall gives you time to plan, price inputs and prepare for spring planting.

For more information on this service that is available to Madison County residents, call us at 623-4072.

Below are links to soil testing publications, or call 859-623-4072 to receive a copy in the mail:

• “Soil Testing: What It Is and What It Does” — http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr57/agr57.htm

• “Taking Soil Test Samples” — http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr16/agr16.pdf

Disease risks in late

summer alfalfa seeding

Later-summer plantings of alfalfa offer several agronomic advantages over spring seedings, particularly when soil moisture is adequate. However, these seedings also are much more susceptible to the fungus that causes Sclerotinia crown and stem rot. This fungus is distinct from the Sclerotinia white mold disease that attacks many crops including tobacco. The Sclerotinia fungus that attacks alfalfa becomes active in mid- to late-autumn, and young alfalfa seedlings are often highly susceptible to the disease. The stand losses it can cause vary from minor to very severe

There are a few alfalfa varieties that show partial resistance to this disease. Complete resistance is not available in commercial varieties, but partial resistance can reduce stand loss caused by this disease. If considering a late-summer seeding, it is important to use a variety that has been shown to exhibit partial resistance under field conditions in Kentucky. This is important because some of the worst disease pressure from Sclerotinia crown and stem rot in the nation is in Kentucky. Variety evaluations conducted in other states are useful, but if a variety hasn’t been tested for resistance under Kentucky conditions, it hasn’t been adequately tested for use in Kentucky.

The variety Phoenix has been shown to have a significant level of Sclerotinia resistance under Kentucky conditions, so that is certainly one to consider for late-summer plantings. Cimarron SR is also a good choice from the standpoint of Sclerotinia. Beyond that, I am unaware of other varieties that have held up against the severe disease pressure we sometimes get in Kentucky. Be aware that these varieties can still suffer stand loss from the disease, but they will suffer considerably less stand loss than the many susceptible varieties on the market.

Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Text Only

Lifestyles & Community

Happy are they who finish what they start
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
— Psalm 144:15

May 26, 2012 1 Photo
Looking at various things
During my eight years away from home (Richmond and Madison County) the post office tower was a beacon welcoming me home.
Today, the the stone edifice completed in the 1892 as a post office and federal courthouse is the Madison Hall of Justice.

May 21, 2012 1 Photo
Things are different than when we were young
I was just thinking the other day about how confused we seniors are most of the time. Things are so different than when we were young. We find it hard to understand much of what we are confronted with.
Some things like this happen to us frequently. We begin a conversation with, “In my day.” We look so old we are followed around by archeologists. We tell our kids that old age causes us to become wiser and they tell us, “Then you must be a genius.” We no longer look forward to a wild evening out, but look forward to a dull evening in.

May 21, 2012 1 Photo
We are heirs and joint-heirs to His kingdom
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. — Rom 8:14-19

May 18, 2012 1 Photo
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
That question was the subject of a recent investigation by a team of exercise scientists at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and the answer seems to be a lot less than we might think, as long as we’re willing to put in the effort.

May 12, 2012 1 Photo
A mother’s love never stops
A mothers love will always be there. Even when everyone else stops to rest, her love for her family continues. She is always working, carring and sharing what she has with her children, even if she has to do without for herself.

May 11, 2012 1 Photo
Start planting your hot weather vegetables now

Hopefully, the unusual spate of unseasonably warm weather we had earlier this spring did not fool you, and you’ve been patiently waiting to get your hot weather veggies, such as tomatoes and peppers, into your summer vegetable garden.

Now is a good time to start planting these delectable goodies.

May 7, 2012
Rethinking the benefits of crunches
I’ve been doing crunches all my adult life and it may be one of the reasons I have back problems. Research from the University of Waterloo in Ontario has found that repeated bending of the spine, such as occurs when doing crunches, can contribute over time to damage of spinal discs. The results are presented — along with a lot of other useful information — in the book, “Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance” by Stuart McGill.

May 5, 2012 1 Photo
Is 401(k) good for America?
Internal Revenue Code section 401(k) is the only section of the US tax code that average people can cite.
They know it has something to do with whether or not they can retire with dignity. Or retire at all.

May 5, 2012 1 Photo
He is there when you need Him
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. — Psalm 139:7-10

May 4, 2012 1 Photo
More Lifestyles & Community Headlines

Lifestyles & Community

Search Results

Related Photos

Free soil testing program offered

A recent health ranking listed Madison County as the 20th healthiest county in the state. It measured factors such as exercise, access to health care and smoking. Do you smoke cigarettes?

Site Map