The ethanol industry continues to expand in Illinois and surrounding states. As more ethanol plants are built and begin production, the availability of co-products for livestock feed will increase dramatically. Co-products may offer the cattle industry a tremendous opportunity in feed costs without sacrificing performance. Beef producers in Illinois will have the opportunity to attend the upcoming Beef Cattle Co-Products Seminar that is being offered at two different locations on Wednesday, January 30. Starting at 10:00 a.m., the program is being offered in Aldeo, Mercer County, at the American Legion – Post 121 located at 305 North West 7th Street. Later, starting at 4:45 p.m., the same program will be conducted in Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, at the Carroll County Farm Bureau Building located at the northwest corner of the Rt. 78 and Rt. 52/64 intersection. Topics covered at each seminar include: "Co-Product Plants and Availability"; "Utilizing Co-Products in Cow Herd Diets"; "Using Co-Products in Growing and Backgrounding Diets"; "Storage of Co-Products and Use in Feedlot Diets"; "Value of Co-Products and the Impact on Whole Herd Profitability"; and "Beef Producer Experiences Using Co-Products, Producer Panel. Early registrations received by January 23 for the seminar is $10 that covers the meal along with the handouts. Late and at door registration will be $15. For additional information or a workshop flyer, contact Warren/Henderson/Mercer Extension at 309-582-5106 or Jo-Carroll Extension at 815-244-9444.

University of Illinois Extension will be conducting its annual two-part Shepherd's telenet workshop at area Extension offices on January 8 and 14, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The workshop fee at the Jo-Carroll Unit is $5 per person to cover handout materials and participants will need to register by phone one week in advance. Pre-registration is required by calling 815-244-9444 if you plan on attending in Mt. Carroll or 815-858-2273 if you want to attend in Elizabeth. Registrations are requested by January 2.

The schedule includes:

January 8, 2008

A discussion of the need for high quality colostrom in sheep production, Dr. Cliff Shipley, University of Illinois Vet School

The value of soy hulls as a major sheep feed in the future, Dr. Jeff Held, South Dakota State University

An update on the premise identification for 2008, Richard Cobb, University of Illinois

January 14, 2008

New approaches to a successful internal parasite prevention program, Dr. William Shulaw, Ohio State University

Helping to rejuvenate your pastures after the drought of 2007, Dean Oswald, Extension Educator, University of Illinois

An update of the Illinois Scrapie Program, Dr. Rick Jones, Illinois Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist

Strong milk prices and continuing demands to improve productivity and efficiency emphasize the need for dairy producers to make informed management decisions. Information to assist in that process will be available at the 2008 Illinois Dairy Days, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

"The program is designed to help producers make the most of their resources and remain a productive part of the dairy industry," said Mike Hutjens, U of I Extension dairy specialist. "Each meeting will feature advice from specialists on health, management, economics, and feed strategies. "The program has been developed to allow producers to reach optimal production and maximal profit levels from their herds."

Joining Hutjens on the program will be Dave Fischer, U of I Extension dairy educator; Jim Endress, U of I Extension farm management and dairy educator; and Dick Wallace, U of I Extension dairy veterinarian.

Each program begins at 9:45 a.m. and concludes at 2:30 p.m. Northwestern Illinois dates and locations include January 15 - Highland Community College, Freeport (call Stephenson County Extension to register at 815-235-4125) and January 16 – Elizabeth Community Building (call Jo-Carroll Extension at 815-858-2273 to register). Pre-registrations are requested by January 10. The program cost is $15 to cover for the meal and refreshments. Patrons of Foremost Farms, Kolb-Lena, Stockton Cheese and Swiss Valley Farms will have their registration fee covered by their milk company.

Helping farm women develop their management and decision-making skills and gain confidence in agriculture, the workshop program "Annie's Project – Education for Farm Women" is being offered in Stockton during February. Dates of the six session series includes February 5, 8, 12, 15, 19 and 22 with each session running from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Holy Cross Church, Stockton.

Using several agriculture industry and University of Illinois Extension educators as speakers, Annie's Project will cover topics that include goal setting, business planning, family communications, keeping track of financial records, interpreting financial information, understanding insurance options (liability, health, life, long-term care, crop, etc.) leases, retirement and estate planning, risk management, commodity marketing basics, soils and crop basics, and much more.

The course fee is $50 which covers the cost of a program binder, computer software, handout materials and refreshments. For more information or to obtain a program flyer, contact Jo Daviess County Extension at 815-858-2273 or e-mail seoconno@uiuc.edu. Sign up today as space is limited. Program sponsors include 1^st Farm Credit Services, Carroll Service Company, Ag & Small Business Service of Lena, Highland Community College, Jo Daviess Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension.

Healthy Soil=Healthy Plants January 29 @1:00 or January 31 @ 7:00 p.m. (Mt. Carroll only)

Carnivorous Plants February 12 @1:00 or February 14 @ 7:00 p.m. (Mt. Carroll only)

Climbers & Twiners: Vines for the Home Garden February 26 @1:00 or February 28 @ 7:00 p.m. (Mt. Carroll only)

All sessions are offerd at Elizabeth or Mt. Carroll Extension Offices. Fee is $ 5 per person per session. Please register in advance by calling your county office.

Jan 24 9:00 a.m. Training and Testing U Of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 First State Bank, Shannon

Jan 29 8:30 a.m. Training and Testing U Of I Lee County 815-857-3525 Loveland Community Bldg, Dixon

Jan 30 9:00 a.m. Training and Testing U of I Rock Island County 309-796-0512 Community Bldg, Milan

Pre-registration is required for all sessions by calling the office listed. $30 training fee per person.

University of Illinois Extension is offering five farm management programs available online beginning in the winter of 2008. These programs were created to assist farmers and landowners in making farm management decisions. The programs can be completed at home using a computer and an internet connection that is higher than standard dial-up. The programs will consist of lesson modules, email communication, and a message board for anonymous discussions. The programs can be completed during any time of the day or day of the week and run in length from five weeks to eight weeks.

The programs being offered beginning in February are:

Grain Marketing Boot Camp

A basic course designed for the novice commodity marketer interested in learning how to sell their grain production.

Farm Financial Management

Designed to assist producers and landowners in assessing their financial situation and planning for the future.

Farmland Ownership 101

Program is geared to assist the farm land owner in better managing their farm land and improve landowner/tenant relationships.

Quicken® for Farm Producers

A course that instructs on using Quicken software to track and analyze farm financial records.

Crop Insurance Decision Making

Aids producers in analyzing how the farm operation marketing plan can utilize various crop insurance products.

Enrollment is currently ongoing and class size is limited. Course fees are $75 per course. Quicken® for Farm Producers has an additional charge $20 for the textbook. Grain Marketing Boot Camp has an additional $10 fee for the workbook. Registration can be done online after January 1st at: web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaigncenter/fbm.html

Production and harvest strategies will highlight the Alfalfa Production and Harvesting Workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension on February 29. The program is from 9:30 am to 12 Noon and will be presented via distance delivery at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office in Elizabeth, IL. Registration begins at 9 am.

"Alfalfa growers, dealers and consultants will hear about current production, harvest, and protection strategies that impact the profitability of alfalfa operations," reports Jim Morrison, Extension Educator, crop systems. "Information will be presented to help fine-tune management plans for the 2008 crop".

Kevin Shinners, University of Wisconsin-Madison agricultural engineer, will discuss "Ways to Speed Hay Dry Down". "Roundup Ready Alfalfa – What's the Current Situation?" will be presented by Aaron Hager, University of Illinois Extension weed specialist.

Carl Bradley, Extension pathologist at the University of Illinois, will discuss "Managing Alfalfa Diseases – Where to Start?" and Jim Morrison Extension Educator, crop systems will provide an "Update on Nitrogen Credit from Alfalfa". Paul Peterson, Extension forage specialist, University of Minnesota, will round out the program by addressing "How Hardy is Alfalfa? – Lessons Learned from the '07 Easter Freeze".

Continuing education units in IPM and Crop Management for Certified Crop Advisers have been requested. The program is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. The cost is $10.00 per person if registered by Feb. 22, or $15.00 per person after then. Individuals can register by contacting Jo Daviess County Extension, P.O Box 600, 204 S Vine, Elizabeth, IL 61028 at 815-858-2273. Make check payable to University of Illinois Extension.

A Certified Livestock Manager training workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 26, at Naaman Diehl Auditorium, Mt. Carroll. This workshop is primarily aimed at swine producers with examples and discussion, but is open to ALL producers. Registration will start at 8:15 a.m. and the workshop itself will begin at 8:50 a.m. Participants arriving after 9:20 a.m. cannot be certified for attending the workshop. The Illinois Department of Agriculture written exam will be offered at 12:30 p.m. To register for the workshop and/or order the new C.L.M.T. manual or CD call 1-800-345-6087 (University of Illinois ACES Marketing & Distribution) and tell them you would like to register for and attend the February 26 workshop.

We are pleased to introduce a new Certified Livestock Management Program website at http://www.clmt.uiuc.edu/

The Northwestern Illinois Forage and Grassland Council will host their hay and straw auctions at the Orangeville Boco MiniMart parking lot, Route 26, on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday's beginning at 11 am. The next auctions will be on Jan 12 & 26. Questions about the auctions can be directed to Jim McNeil, B & M Hay Auctions (608-938-4822 or 608-293-9999), or Don Brown, Jr. (815-238-8372).

Jan 8 7-9 p.m. Shepherd's Telenet Program U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 or U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Mt. Carroll & Elizabeth- Extension Meeting Rooms

Jan 9 Farm Show U of I Dekalb County 815-758-8194 Dekalb-NIU Convocation Center

Jan 14 7-9 p.m. Shepherd's Telenet Program U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 or U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Mt. Carroll & Elizabeth- Extension Meeting Rooms

Jan 15 9:45-2:30 Illinois Dairy Days U Of I Stephenson County 815-245-4125 Freeport-Highland Community College

Jan 16 9:45-2:30 Illinois Dairy Days U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Elizabeth– Community Building

Jan 17-18 Midwest Organic Conference University of Illinois 217-244-2880 Champaign– Illini Union

Jan 24 9:00 a.m. PSEP Training & Testing U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 Shannon-First State Bank

Jan 29 1:00 p.m. Healthy Soil=Healthy Plants Telenet U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 or U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Mt. Carroll & Elizabeth- Extension Meeting Rooms

Jan 30 4:45 to 9pm Beef Cattle Co-Products Seminar U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 Mt. Carroll– Farm Bureau, Naaman Diehl Aud.

Jan 31 9:00-12:00 Small Grain Workshop-Wheat U of I Winnebago 815-986-4357 Pecatonica-US Bank Basement

Feb 5 9:00-12:00 Annie's Project (Six Sessions) U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Stockton-Holy Cross Church

Feb 29 9:00-12:00 Alfalfa Teleconference U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Elizabeth- Extension Meeting Room

March 13 7:00 p.m. Annual Northwestern IL Forage & Grassland Council Meeting U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 or U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Orangeville-Orangeville Community Bank

Feb 25 8:30-3:00 The Three "R's" of Rural Living Workshop U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Elizabeth– Community Building

March 31 8:30-3:00 The Three "R's" of Rural Living Workshop-Session 2 U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273 Stockton-Holy Cross Church