Professional Biography
Dr. Chad Lee is an Extension Professor for Corn Agronomy and Bourbon Grains at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Lee provides statewide leadership in Extension activities related to agronomic management of corn, primarily, and the small grains used in Bourbon distilling. Dr. Lee leads an applied research program in corn, wheat, rye, barley with an emphasis on high-yielding, high-quality grain production in no-tillage and reduced tillage systems. Dr. Lee investigates cover crops, crop rotations and other practices that allow farmers to produce excellent crops and improve their farms over time.
Dr. Lee works closely with the Kentucky Corn Growers and helps plan and teach segments of the Kentucky C.O.R.E. program operated by the Kentucky Corn Growers. Dr. Lee serves on committees with Kentucky Farm Bureau. Dr. Lee teaches a section on Bourbon grains production to the James B. Beam Institute apprentices.
Scholars@UK
The soybean growth cycle: Important risks and management strategies
Moseley, D., Casteel, S., Conley, S., Holshouser, D., Lee, C., Licht, M. A., Lindsey, L. E., Kandel, H., Kleinjan, J., Knott, C., Naeve, S., Nafziger, E., Plumblee, M., Ross, J., Singh, M., Vann, R. & Ortmeier-Clarke, H. J., Dec 2025, In: Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management. 11, 2, e70086.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Delta yield predicts nitrogen fertilizer requirements for corn in US production systems
Ordóñez, R. A., White, C. M., Spargo, J. T., Kaye, J. P., Ruark, M., Iqbal, J., Shapiro, C. A., Thomason, W. E., Fiorellino, N. M., Thorne, L. A., Shober, A., Grove, J. H., Hirsh, S. M., Weil, R. R., Castellano, M. J., Archontoulis, S. V., Hatfield, J. J., Lee, C. D., Quinn, D. J. & Sanders, Z. P. & 12 others, , Sep 1 2025, In: Agronomy Journal. 117, 5, e70150.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effect of Hurricane Helene on US soybean production
Lindsey, L. E., Lopez-Nicora, H. D., Lindsey, A. J., Francisco, E. A. B., Lee, C. D., Matcham, E. G., Moseley, D., Ortel, C. C., Plumblee, M. T., Preza Fontes, G., Reis, A. F. B., Ross, J., Vann, R. A. & Ortmeier-Clarke, H. J., Dec 2025, In: Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management. 11, 2, e70060.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Soybean yield response to management practices (4–40 years) and soil health parameters
Silva, T. S., Malone, L. C., Ruark, M. D., Mourtzinis, S., Lee, C. D., Jordan, D., Kandel, H. J., Ross, J., Gaska, J. M., Lauer, J. G., Lindsey, L. E., Singh, M. P., Licht, M. A., Plumblee, M., Vann, R. A., Werle, R., Naeve, S. L., Roberts, T. L. & Conley, S. P., Jun 15 2025, In: Field Crops Research. 329, 109959.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Commercial biostimulant seed treatments showed minimal impact on soybean seed yield across the United States
Colet, F., Mourtzinis, S., Vann, R. A., Naeve, S., Conley, S. P., Matcham, E. G., Borja Reis, A., Kandel, H., Moseley, D., Plumblee, M., Francisco, E., Preza Fontes, G., Carrijo, D. R., Irby, T., Mulvaney, M. J., Kleinjan, J., Ross, J., Lee, C. D., Casteel, S. & Licht, M. A. & 8 others, , Dec 2 2025, In: Field Crops Research. 334, 110170.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Impacts of rotation, tillage, cover cropping, and drainage on soil health in soybean-based cropping systems: Evidence from 4–50-year trials across the US
Silva, T. S., Malone, L. C., Ruark, M. D., Lee, C., Jordan, D., Poffenbarger, H. J., Kandel, H. J., Ross, J., Gaska, J. M., Lauer, J. G., Lindsey, L. E., Singh, M. P., Licht, M. A., Plumblee, M., Vann, R. A., Werle, R., Mourtzinis, S., Naeve, S. L., Roberts, T. L. & Conley, S. P., Jan 1 2026, In: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 395, 109950.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Planting date and seeding rate impacted hybrid winter rye grain yield across US regions
Nye, C. E., Wiersma, J. J., Lee, C. D., Conley, S. P., Lindsey, A. J. & Lindsey, L. E., Jun 2025, In: Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management. 11, 1, e70052.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Profitability of prophylactic R3 pesticide applications in soybean when pest pressure is low
Knott, C. A., Bradley, C. A., Lee, C. & Villanueva, R., Jun 2025, In: Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management. 11, 1, e70048.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Impact of sulfur and nitrogen fertilization on seed composition of soybean
Rahman, A. A., Brooks, K., Conley, S. P., Gaska, J. M., Irby, T., Knott, C., Lee, C., Lindsey, L. E., Mourtzinis, S., Naeve, S., Ross, W. J., Singh, M. P., Vann, R. A. & Matcham, E. G., 2025, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 9, 1572255.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Influence of Planting Date on Winter Rye Performance in Kentucky
Szuleta, E., Phillips, T., Knott, C. A., Lee, C. D. & Van Sanford, D. A., Nov 2022, In: Agronomy. 12, 11, 2887.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Corn optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate and application timing when following a rye cover crop
Quinn, D. J., Poffenbarger, H. J., Miguez, F. E. & Lee, C. D., Feb 1 2023, In: Field Crops Research. 291, 108794.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Soybean yield response to sulfur and nitrogen additions across diverse U.S. environments
Brooks, K., Mourtzinis, S., Conley, S. P., Reiter, M. S., Gaska, J., Holshouser, D. L., Irby, T., Kleinjan, J., Knott, C., Lee, C., Lindsey, L., Naeve, S., Ross, J., Singh, M. P., Vann, R. & Matcham, E., Jan 1 2023, In: Agronomy Journal. 115, 1, p. 370-383 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Rye cover crop and in-furrow fertilizer and fungicide impacts on corn optimum seeding rate and grain yield
Quinn, D. J., Poffenbarger, H. J. & Lee, C. D., Sep 2022, In: European Journal of Agronomy. 139, 126529.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
First Report of Spot Blotch Caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana on Winter Rye in Kentucky
Neves, D. L., Bruening, B., Knott, C. A., Lee, C. D. & Bradley, C. A., Dec 2021, In: Plant Disease. 105, 12Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate
Yield and growth characteristics of a high oil–protein soybean with enhanced diacylglycerol acyltransferase
AL-Amery, M., Battaglia, M., Serson, W., Sadeghpour, A., Lee, C. D., Knot, C., Swiggart, E., Safari-Katesari, H. & Hildebrand, D., Mar 1 2022, In: Agronomy Journal. 114, 2, p. 1146-1154 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Foliar fertilizers rarely increase yield in United States soybean
Matcham, E. G., Vann, R. A., Lindsey, L. E., Gaska, J. M., Lilley, D. T., Ross, W. J., Wright, D. L., Knott, C., Lee, C. D., Moseley, D., Singh, M., Naeve, S., Irby, J. T., Wiebold, W., Kandel, H., Lofton, J., Inman, M., Kleinjan, J., Holshouser, D. L. & Conley, S. P., Nov 1 2021, In: Agronomy Journal. 113, 6, p. 5246-5253 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Corn response to in-furrow fertilizer and fungicide across rye cover crop termination timings
Quinn, D. J., Poffenbarger, H. J., Leuthold, S. J. & Lee, C. D., Jul 1 2021, In: Agronomy Journal. 113, 4, p. 3384-3398 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Detecting recent crop phenology dynamics in corn and soybean cropping systems of Kentucky
Yang, Y., Tao, B., Liang, L., Huang, Y., Matocha, C., Lee, C. D., Sama, M., El Masri, B. & Ren, W., May 1 2021, In: Remote Sensing. 13, 9, 1615.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Regional multi-environment analysis of corn productivity and yield stability as impacted by hybrid maturity
Di Salvo, J. I., Lee, C. & Salmerón, M., Mar 1 2021, In: Field Crops Research. 262, 108025.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
High-Input management systems effect on soybean seed yield, yield components, and economic Break-Even probabilities
Orlowski, J. M., Haverkamp, B. J., Laurenz, R. G., Marburger, D. A., Wilson, E. W., Casteel, S. N., Conley, S. P., Naeve, S. L., Nafziger, E. D., Roozeboom, K. L., Ross, W. J., Thelen, K. D. & Lee, C. D., Jul 1 2016, In: Crop Science. 56, 4, p. 1988-2004 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Validating In-Season Potassium
Lee, C. (PI) & Shamim, M. J. (CoI)
Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board
7/1/25 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Understanding Wheat Head Count Effect on Yield
Lee, C. (PI)
Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
9/1/24 → 12/31/25
Project: Research project
Multi-State Validation of Management Methods for Sustainable Soybean
Lee, C. (PI)
10/1/23 → 9/30/24
Project: Research project
Validation Of A Decision Tool To Identify Economically Optimum Planting Dates
Salmeron Cortasa, M. (PI), Lee, C. (CoI), Shepard, C. (CoI), Shockley, J. (CoI) & Wendroth, O. (CoI)
Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Understanding Rye Disease Management 2023-2024
Lee, C. (PI) & Bradley, C. (CoI)
Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
9/1/23 → 12/31/24
Project: Research project
A Decision Tool to Identify Economically Optimum Planting Date
Salmeron Cortasa, M. (PI), Lee, C. (CoI) & Shockley, J. (CoI)
Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board
4/1/23 → 3/31/24
Project: Research project
Strengthening Undergraduate Training through Experiential Learning Opportunities in Applied Agronomic Research and Extension (Personnel Scope)
Knott, C. (PI), Haramoto, E. (CoI), Kawashima, T. (CoI), Lee, C. (CoI), Legleiter, T. (CoI), Ritchey, E. (CoI), Salmeron Cortasa, M. (CoI), Teutsch, C. (CoI) & Villanueva, R. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
4/1/18 → 3/31/23
Project: Research project
Understanding Rye Disease and Crop Management 2022-2023 - Bradley
Lee, C. (PI) & Bradley, C. (CoI)
Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
9/1/22 → 9/1/22
Project: Research project
Understanding Rye Disease and Crop Management 2022-2023
Lee, C. (PI) & Bradley, C. (CoI)
Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
9/1/22 → 12/31/23
Project: Research project
Learning How Much Fertilizer Nitrogen is Needed to Grow Rye
Lee, C. (PI)
Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
9/1/22 → 12/31/23
Project: Research project
Kentucky SO 23 Lee 2016-01-N6-07. SOYBEAN PROP HP
Lee, C. (PI)
3/15/16 → 3/14/17
Project: Research project
Kentucky SO 22 Lee 2016-01-N6-06. SOYBEAN PROP LP
Lee, C. (PI)
3/15/16 → 3/14/17
Project: Research project
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Michigan State University, 2002
- Master of Science, University Of Nebraska At Lincoln, 1998
- Bachelor of Science, Berea College, 1996
Associated Departments