To share the latest research-based information with more grain crops producers across Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Grain Crops Academy will offer programs in two different areas of the state beginning in January.

The expansion is due to the overwhelming response from producers in each of the previous two years when it was held at only one location.

"We plan to provide producers with the latest grain crops research, technologies and practices to improve their profitability and sustainability," said Katie Russell, agriculture research specialist with the UK College of Agriculture and academy coordinator.

The first academy will start Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service in Campbellsville. The group will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST each of the next three Tuesdays at that location. Producers in Taylor, Larue, Washington, Marion, Russell, Casey, Adair and Green counties are encouraged to attend.

The second will begin Thursday, Jan. 21 and is for producers in the counties bordering the Mississippi River. Session dates and locations are as follow: Jan. 21 at the Young Center in Hickman County, Jan. 28 at the Ballard County extension office, Feb. 4 at the new Fulton County extension office and Feb. 18 at the Bardwell Baptist Church in Carlisle County. Each session is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.

During each session, specialists from several departments within the UK College of Agriculture will present information on a wide range of topics related to regional corn, soybean and wheat production.

The cost to attend is $65 and includes lunch for each session and an electronic version and hard copy of information from each session.

Preregistration is not necessary, but interested persons can contact any of the participating counties' agriculture and natural resources extension agents or Russell at 859-257-5020, ext. 80793 or kgruss2@uky.edu.