Illinois Forage Expo Set for June 28

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2008

Area farmers are invited to the Illinois Forage Expo on Saturday, June 28, at Smith Family Farms near Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The program, which runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., includes field demonstrations of forage harvesting equipment and commercial displays of forage-related products and equipment. Educational sessions will focus on matching forage species with animal nutritional requirements in a year-long grazing program; managing higher fertility costs in pastures and hayland; and controlling weeds and arthropods in forages with integrated pest management principles.

Those attending will get to see how the Smiths use warm- and cool-season perennial grasses in their beef custom grazing enterprise. In addition, summer annuals such as pearl millet are rotationally grazed.

Producers can also enter their 2008 harvested bales in the Quality Hay Contest. Entries are evaluated for bale density, visual assessment, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and relative feed value. 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.

Smith Family Farms can be reached by going about 7 miles west of Mt. Vernon on Illinois Route 15, then turn south on Panzier Lane for 1½ miles. Watch for signs. Lunch will be available at the Expo.

More information on the Illinois Forage Expo is available at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/ag in the Events and News section.

The Forage Expo is sponsored by the Illinois Forage and Grassland Council, University of Illinois Extension, Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Risk Management Agency and Illinois Grassland Conservation Initiative.