2009 Year in Review

Illinois Forage Institute to be held Thursday, March 5

The Illinois Forage Institute will be held on Thursday, March 5 at the Del Curley Conference Center/Agri-King, Inc. Fulton IL, beginning at 9:00 am and concluding at 4:00 pm. The program will be held at Agri-King, Inc, which is located north of the intersection of US Route 30 and IL Route 84 in Whiteside County. The educational program will focus on managing pastures and hayland. The program will also include commercial exhibits focusing on the forage industry.

Topics to be presented in the morning include an Update on Jo-Carroll Energy’s Planned Bio-Mass Electric Generating Station near Thomson, IL from Russ Simpson; Update from the USDA Forage Research Center, Arlington, WI from Ron Hatfield; What’s New in Forage Testing & Why Are Lab Tests From One Lab Different From Another from Dr. Dave Casper, Agri-King, Inc. and Forage Establishment Methods for Annuals and Perennials from Miles Kuhn, forage agronomist, FFR Cooperatives. Afternoon presentations include Using the NRCS Drought Calculator, presented by Arnold Norman, USDA NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist and Soil Fertility Issues & Profit From Forages presented by Jim Morrison, Crop Systems Educator, University of Illinois Extension. The program will conclude with the Illinois Forage and Grassland Council Forage Spokesperson Contest and a tour of Agri-King’s lab facilities.

In addition a Quality Hay Contest will be held with 2008 hay entries accepted from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. The contest will provide the opportunity for producers to obtain analysis and receive recognition for outstanding hay quality. There is no entry fee and nutritional analysis will be provided free of charge, however bales larger than traditional small square bales must be accompanied by a certified weigh ticket.

Cost for the educational program is $15 per person and pre-registration is requested by February 24 2009. Cost will be $20 per person after February 24 and also accepted at the door on March 5. Registration covers a noon meal and forage presentation handout material. Program registration can be made by contacting University of Illinois Extension, Whiteside County Unit Office, 100 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270; phone 815-772-4075 or by sending your name, address and telephone number along with your check payable to Illinois Forage and Grassland Council. The Program Agenda can be accessed. The program is sponsored by the Illinois Forage and Grassland Council.

by Dawn Zuidema, theCity1.com
January 22, 2009