2008 Year in Review

Grazing in the Dairy Industry

A four-part seminar focused on grazing in the dairy industry will be offered in March, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

"This is a unique educational program for dairy producers involved in grazing," said Dave Seibert, U of I Extension animal systems educator in charge of the program, "Dairy Grazing Brown Bagger Teleconference."

The name comes from the fact that the seminars are offered from noon to 1:15 p.m. on four Fridays--March 7, 14, 21, and 28.

"We're utilizing the U of I's teleconferencing system, meaning that dairy producers can view the seminars in their home office by listening over the phone and viewing PowerPoint presentations on their computer," he said. "We realize that a dairy producer's time is very limited." Speakers and topics, by date, include:

- March 7 - Ed Ballard, retired U of I animal systems educator, and Steve Schwoerer of the Roblee dairy farm near Bloomington, "Pasture Specie Production and Quality in a Dairy Grazing System."

- March 14 - Tony Rickard, University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist, "Pasture Cover and Grazing Wedges for the Dairy Herd."

- March 21 - Robert James, Virginia Tech University Extension dairy specialist, "Labor-efficient Pasture Management for Heifers."

- March 28 - Kent Wiegel, University of Wisconsin Extension dairy specialist, "Crossbreeding Dairy Cattle for Grazing--Advantages and Disadvantages."

Enrollment is limited to the first 25 applicants who should either be using grazing in their dairy operation or are interested in doing so. Cost for the program is $15, and the registration deadline is Feb. 25.

Those wishing to enroll should contact Seibert at (309) 694-7501, e-mail: dseibert@uiuc.edu .

by  Editor, theCity1.com
February 1, 2008