2009 Year in Review

2009 Illinois Forage Expo at Meier Farms

The 2009 Illinois Forage Expo will be held on Friday, July 31 at Meier Farms, 205 North Dakota Road, Ridott, Illinois in Stephenson County. The Expo will start at 9 am and conclude at 4 pm. Meier Farms is a family operated 300 head dairy confinement operation with 345 acres of alfalfa.

The Forage Expo will include field demonstrations of forage harvesting equipment and commercial displays of forage related products and equipment. In addition, educational sessions will be presented that focus on using autosteer in forage systems, economics of alfalfa production, managing risk with hay insurance and nutrient management planning/how EQIP can help. Also, Dr Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois Extension dairy specialist will discuss forages and today’s milk price.

In addition, a Quality Hay & Haylage Contest will be available for producers to enter 2009 harvested bales and haylage. Entries in the Quality Hay & Haylage Contest must be delivered on site from 9 am to 10 am. There is no entry fee and NIRS analysis will be provided free of charge. Bales weighing over 100 pounds will need an official scale weigh ticket. Four hay and one haylage class will be available and class winners will receive a $25 gift certificate. For further information concerning the Quality Hay/Haylage Contest, interested producers can contact Greg Clark, University of Illinois Extension, Whiteside County, phone 815-772-4075, gmclark@illinois.edu

Meier Farms can be reached by exiting US Route 20 at Route 75 (Freeport/Dakota) exit, then turn right and go south ¾ mile on Route 75, then turn left (east) 2 miles on River Road, turn right (south) on Dakota Road a ½ mile. From the east the site can be reached by going west on US Route 20 to Rock City Road, then turn right (north) on Rock City Road 2 miles, then turn left (west) on River Road 3 miles, then turn left (south) on Dakota Road ½ mile. Watch for signs and lunch will be available at the Expo site. Additional information concerning the Illinois Forage Expo is available at U of I Extension. For information concerning exhibiting a commercial display contact Nikki Keltner, University of Illinois Extension, Stephenson County, Freeport, Illinois at 815-235-4125.

The Forage Expo is sponsored by Illinois Forage and Grassland Council, Blackhawk Hills RC & D and Illinois EPA. Additionally, the event is supported by University of Illinois Extension, Stephenson County Farm Bureau, Stephenson County Soil & Water Conservation District, Northwestern Illinois Forage & Grassland Council, USDA Natural Resources Conservation District and Illinois Grassland Conservation Initiative.

by Dawn Zuidema, theCity1.com
June 3, 2009