Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association Research Funding

Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association Research Funding

Funder: Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association

Overview: KySGGA is accepting research proposals for the 2026-2027 growing season. Projects should advance innovation in small grain crop research and improve yield and profitability for Kentucky growers.

Eligible Crops

• Wheat
• Barley
• Oats
• Rye
• Rice
• Triticale

Priority Research Topics

Greater weight will be given to proposals addressing:

• Drone application of fungicide in wheat - Compared to various levels of concentrate in a ground rig; timing and efficacy optimization
• AI in agronomic research - Genetics research, marketing, pricing opportunities, weather
• Grain fill period impact - Research on wheat breeding varieties to extend grain fill period and photoperiod sensitive wheat varieties
• Temperature-tolerant varieties - Variety trials and falling number evaluation
• Efficacy strategies - To promote flowering and extend grain fill
• In-row P placement - Assessment of efficacy and economics
• KY crop rotation economic feasibility - Full-system, long-term, multiple farm operation scenarios
• Multi-year profitability research - Improving Kentucky cropping systems profitability
• Nitrogen use efficiency - VR N methods, satellite mapping, rate determination tools
• Wheat head counts per square yard - Evaluation of current vs. recommended head counts
• Soil health - Cover crops (instead of double crop beans), new crop rotations, soil biology impacts, new cover crop varieties/mixtures/planting methods
• New small grain varieties - Plant breeding including photoperiod sensitive and BYDV resistant varieties
• KY YEN program - Support and expansion, end-of-year wrap-up meetings, Kentucky-specific grower database
• Ryegrass control - Research on increasing control issues
• Slug and snail control - Research on pellet products and other options
• Sulfur, Boron, Iron, and Zinc - Recommendations and application strategies

Funding Restrictions

• No Overhead: Grant funds shall not be used for any overhead expenses incurred while conducting the research project
• Budget Specificity: Primary investigator must ensure KySGGA grant money is used only to pay for specific items listed in the Proposal Budget

Geographic Scope

• Kentucky-focused research

Contact Information

• Email: laura@kysmallgrains.org
• Phone: 502-333-2983
• Mailing Address: Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, PO Box 90, Eastwood, KY 40018