Region to Host Illinois Forage Expo

The Illinois Forage Expo is set for Saturday, June 28, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., at Smith Family Farms near Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The operation, managed by Tom Smith, includes a beef custom grazing enterprise which utilizes warm- and cool-season perennial grasses. Also, summer annuals such as pearl millet are rotationally grazed.

The Forage Expo includes field demonstrations of forage harvesting equipment and commercial displays of forage-related products and equipment. Educational presentations 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.

The Expo also includes a Quality Hay Contest for producers to enter 2008 harvested bales. 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 Route 15, then turn south on Panzier Lane for 1½ miles. Watch for signs. Lunch will be available at the Expo.

More information about the Illinois Forage Expo is available at the SI Agriculture website. For information on exhibiting a commercial display, contact Stacy Helm, Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, 618-244-0773, ext 3.

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.

Ewing Field Tour Set for June 12
Dennis Epplin, crop systems educator

The annual Ewing Field Spring Agronomy tour is set for 9 A.M. on June 12. When the tour date was set last December, there were hopes that corn and soybeans would be well established by that date. Unfortunately, Mother Nature delayed 2008 plantings with wet field conditions. Hopefully, those plantings will happen as quickly as conditions permit.

At the very least we will have the wheat variety trial and the long-term soil fertility plots to discuss. Other field day topics remain “fluid” so that the program can be adapted to needs at that time.

The Ewing Demonstration Center is located approximately 12 miles northeast of Benton. From Illinois Route 37, turn east on Ewing Road and watch for signs. If weather conditions are questionable, call 618-242-9310 before traveling to the field day.

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