University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service created a soil building field day, where farmers could learn about fragipan and the use annual ryegrass to break it down. The field day was held in Calloway County at Pashchall Ag Operations. Attendees got to see deep into the soil and the effects of the ryegrass versus other cover crops.
Dr. Lloyd Murdock and Dr. Tasio Karathanasis spoke about what fragipan is and how the reduction of it can result in more space for water. Dr. Murdock explains what fragipan is.
For farmers not in attendance, Dr. Murdock gives a summary of what was taught.
Dr. Murdock says if you start the program, you have to stick to it. Results will not be seen for five to six years. Mitchell Paschall began using ryegrass in the field in 2016. Now he is seeing an increase in his yields each year.
Paschall was no stranger to ryegrass. In 2000 he started growing produce in raised beds. So, he wouldn’t experience washouts, he used ryegrass to help. Later on he discovered Dr. Murdock’s research. Pashcall talks about his decision to use ryegrass in the fields.
Paschall also talks about the benefits he has seen on his farm.
Starting this program is easier than most would think. Dr. Murdock tells us where to begin.
If you have any questions you can visit Dr. Murdock’s page: https://pss.ca.uky.edu/person/lloyd-w-murdock
A photo gallery from the day is below.
