As agriculture producers have become more specialized, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture specialists are offering more commodity-specific field days to provide them with more detailed information about  specific production areas. In the past two years, the specialists have established two new field days. The newest, the Horticulture Field Day is June 27.

After surveying extension agents and producers, UK specialists decided field days focused on specific commodities would better meet their needs rather than the traditional biennial All-Commodity Field Day, said Richard Coffey, the center’s director. UK specialists have had previous success with field days targeting wheat and cattle producers. In August 2012, UK row crop specialists hosted the first Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field Day. It was well received by attendees and will occur again Aug. 1.

            The Horticulture Field Day will also be an annual event, said Win Dunwell, UK horticulture extension professor.  

The event begins at 9 a.m. and goes through 1 p.m. at the center. UK specialists will present information on ornamentals and fruit production. Attendees can see variety trials for annuals and perennials, including a large number of Kentucky-grown daylilies. Specialists will also present information about spicebush production protocols, a fertilizer study, vineyard management, pot-in-pot red maples and hornbeam, tree and small fruit varieties and insect and disease control in orchards and vineyards.

Dunwell has plans to expand future field days and add vegetables to next year’s event.

For more information about the Horticulture Field Day, contact Dunwell at 270-365-7541, ext. 209 or winston.dunwell@uky.edu.