1997 Annual Report for FS97-062
Maximizing Corn Production in the Mountains of Southeast Kentucky
Summary
No-till practices for soil conservation and split application of fertilizers are no longer new techniques. Nevertheless, it is estimated that only 30 percent of corn producers in southeast Kentucky are implementing them. It is also estimated that as many as 90 percent of producers in the remote areas this project will serve do not consult cooperative extension agents about fertilization practices and information on highest yielding cultivars for the area.
This producer organization project will involve producers who do not often consult with extension about the best practices for corn production. By working directly with producers, particularly marginal ones, the project will help them produce greater yields, preserve topsoil, increase efficiency and profits and be encouraged to continue with agriculture as a means of income for the area.
In this project, the producer organization intends to improve environmental quality by encouraging the use of no-till planting to reduce soil erosion on highly erodible land. They also plan to encourage economic sustainability by improving production on limited mountain region acreage. They will do this by utilizing the cultivar of corn best suited for production and storage in the area, conduct soil tests for appropriate fertilization and liming and demonstrate techniques for split application of nitrogen.