UK Research and Education Center will host Wheat Field Day on May 12

Apr 21, 2026

By Jennifer Elwell

Wheat growers, crop consultants and agribusiness professionals are invited to attend the University of Kentucky Wheat Field Day on May 12 at the UK Research and Education Center (UKREC) in Princeton.

Specialists with the UK Wheat Science Group will share the latest research and management recommendations to help producers navigate production challenges and market conditions as they head into the 2026–27 season. Topics include breeding advances, crop protection strategies, yield optimization and variety performance, among others.

“Making profitable decisions on wheat is as critical now as it ever has been for farmers,” said Chad Lee, Extension grain crops specialist with the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “The field day addresses some of those key decisions and allows farmers, crop consultants, county agents and specialists to discuss these important topics.”

Field presentations begin at 9 a.m. CDT at 300 Extension Farm Road, Princeton. Lunch, provided by the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, will conclude the event at noon. Registration is free, but participants are encouraged to register by April 30 to guarantee a meal.

Educational credits have been approved for attendees. Certified Crop Advisers may earn 1.0 hour in Pest Management and 1.0 hour in Crop Management. Pesticide applicators may earn two hours, including one hour in Category 1a (Agricultural Plant) and one hour in Category 10 (Demonstration and Research).

The UK Wheat Field Day agenda and registration information are available online.

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 to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Source : uky.edu

Video: Midwest Weather Shock: Flash Drought Turns Into Heavy Rain Threat This Week (2026 Forecast)

A rapidly changing Midwest weather pattern is unfolding in 2026 as areas that recently slipped into abnormal dryness and flash drought conditions are now facing the threat of heavy rain and repeated storm systems.

After a wet spring erased early drought conditions, regions across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern Missouri have quickly dried out again since mid-to-late May. Soil moisture is dropping fast, and crops like corn and soybeans are beginning to feel the stress of rising temperatures and lack of consistent rainfall. Now, weather models show a major shift.

A developing system moving in from the Northern Plains is expected to bring multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for locally heavy rainfall across the Midwest. While some areas may miss out, others could finally see much-needed relief from the growing dryness. In this video, we break down:

Current drought conditions across the Midwest

Why a flash drought is developing quickly

Timing and path of incoming storm systems

Which states are most likely to see heavy rain

How long this wet pattern could last

Will this rain end the drought or create new flooding risks? Watch the full forecast to find out.