The University of Kentucky Wheat Science Group, part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, welcomes wheat growers, industry professionals and crop advisers to its Winter Wheat Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3.  

Attendees will hear from a range of UK wheat production specialists covering topics such as pest management, marketing and the use of new precision agriculture tools, such as drones and artificial intelligence. 

Dave Van Sanford, UK wheat breeding specialist, will showcase the changes in Kentucky wheat over the past 40 years. Grower Quint Pottinger, of Affinity Farms in Nelson County, will share his experience on planting wheat autonomously. 

According to Chad Lee, Grain and Forage Center of Excellence director and Martin-Gatton CAFE Extension professor, the Winter Wheat meeting draws more than 100 farmers, crop advisers, county agents and wheat industry stakeholders. 

“This meeting is an opportunity for growers and advisers to connect, learn and gain actionable insights,” Lee said. “It’s always rewarding to see the level of engagement and the exchange of ideas that happen here.” 

Educational opportunities include continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers and pesticide applicators. Credit approvals are pending. 

Lunch will be provided by the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, offering a chance for attendees to connect with peers and discuss the topics of the day. 

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST at the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. 

For additional information, including the full agenda, visit https://wheatscience.mgcafe.uky.edu/.  

For questions, contact Colette Laurent, UK Grain Crops Group coordinator, at claurent@uky.edu.  

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Writer: Jennifer Elwell, jennifer.elwell@uky.edu 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.