The winter meeting season has been very busy here in Stephenson County. We are excited to have so many programs to offer this winter. Be sure to check out the local programs calendar to see the variety of programs taking place in the area.

We continue to keep our website up-to-date and we are excited to now offer on-line registration for our ag programs. We continue to post upcoming events on the website and news columns written by Extension Educators. You can view the website at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu .

Remember that we have many publications available for purchase here at our office. We have lease forms, farm record books, pesticide applicator training manuals and workbooks, agronomy handbooks, and many other items.

Nikki Keltner

Program Coordinator

Agriculture and Natural Resources

February 11, Productive Pasture Management for NW Illinois, 9 a.m. to Noon, Jack's Bar and Grill, Forreston (See page 5)

February 11, Private Pesticide Applicator Testing, 9 a.m., JoDaviess County Extension Office, Elizabeth (See page 4)

February 12, 101 Enterprises For Your Farm, 9 a.m. to Noon, Winnebago County Farm Bureau, Rockford (See page 6)

February 19, Winnebago County Dairy Roundtable and Farm Visit, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mitchell Dairy Farm, Winnebago (See page 2)

February 20, Stephenson County Dairy Roundtable, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Community Bank of Orangeville, Orangeville (See page 2)

February 21, Soil and Water Workshop Teleconference, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stephenson County Farm Bureau, Freeport(See page 3)

February 22, Exotic Invasive Plants and Insects, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Freeport Public Library (See page 3)

February 23, Joys of Gardening, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Highland Community College, Student Conference Center, Room 201 (See page 4)

February 25, Certified Livestock Manager Training, 10 a.m., Stephenson County Farm Bureau, Freeport (See page 5)

February 25, The Three "R's" of Rural Living, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Community Building, Elizabeth.

February 26, Certified Livestock Manager Training, 8:50 a.m., Carroll County Farm Bureau, Mt. Carroll (See page 5)

February 28, Risk Management for Illinois Ag Producers, Shannon & Stockton (See flyer)

February 29, Alfalfa Production Telenet, 9 a.m. to Noon, Stephenson County Extension Office (See page 2)

March 11, Getting the Most from Your Grazing Acres, 8:30 a.m. to Noon, Stephenson County Farm Bureau, Freeport (See page 3)

March 13, Northwest Illinois Forage and Grasslands Council Annual Meeting, 7 p.m., Community Bank of Orangeville

March 20, Private Pesticide Applicator Testing, 9 a.m., Stephenson County Extension Office (See page 4)

March 26, Pond Construction and Management, 1:30 p.m. Stephenson County Extension Office (See page 3)

Producers will have the opportunity to discuss dairy issues with fellow dairymen at two locations this February.

All producers are encouraged to participate. U of I Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. Mike Hutjens will be the facilitator for the events. Pre-registration is requested by Friday, February 15.

The Winnebago County Dairy Roundtable and Farm Visit will be held Tuesday, February 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mike and Jan Mitchell Dairy Farm, 11587 Edwardsville Rd., Winnebago, IL.(3 miles South of Winnebago, then 1 mile West). The Barn Meeting is sponsored by the Ogle County Dairy Committee and the Boone-Winnebago Holstein Club with an open forum discussion. There will be a light dairy lunch at noon followed by Dr. Mike Hutjens, Dairy Extension Specialist, University of Illinois Extension. To register or for more information call the University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County at (815) 986-4357.

The Stephenson County Dairy Roundtable will be held on Wednesday, February 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Community Bank of Orangeville, 401 S. Church St., Orangeville, IL. Lunch will be provided by the Community Bank of Orangeville. To register or for more information please call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125. Register on-line at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu .

Both programs are roundtable participation-Bring the topics of your choice. Dr. Mike Hutjens, Dairy Extension Speciatist, University of Illinois Extension and Jim Endress, Extension Educator, Farm Business Management & Marketing and Animal Systems-Dairy, University of Illinois Extension Rockford Center will be on hand to facilitate the discussion. Ration analysis will be available. All dairy producers and consultants are encouraged to bring in feed (silage and/or TMR) and grain samples for free evaluation by Extension staff via the forage particle separator box and grain screens.

Northwest Illinois Forage and Grassland Council will hold their Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at the Community Bank of Orangeville, 401 S. Church St., Orangeville. "Lincoln and the Department of Agriculture:

The People's Department" will be presented by George Buss of Freeport. George has been an Abraham Lincoln presenter for many years. Annual reports will also be given at the meeting. A light meal will be served. Please R.S.V.P. to Don Brown, Jr. at (815) 238-8372.

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 a.m. to Noon and will be presented via teleconference at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County office. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

"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, Illinois Forage and Grassland Council, and the USDA Risk Management Agency.

For more information and to register, contact the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125. Register on-line at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu.

The University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County will be hosting an Exotic Invasive Plants and Insects: Identification and Management Workshop on Friday, February 22. The program will be held at the Freeport Public Library and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Exotic Invasive Plants and Insects Workshop will cover information about the identification and management practices of plants and insects that are unwanted in the State of Illinois. The plants to be covered in the workshop include thistle, teasel, multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, buckthorn, and phragmites. Information about Emerald Ash Borer, an up and coming threat to our ash trees, will also be included in the workshop along with Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle.

Featured speakers for the day include: Kyle Cecil, Unit Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, University of Illinois Extension-Knox County, Peter Chege, Extension Specialist, Horticulture, University of Illinois Extension-Quad Cities Center, Dave Feltes, Extension Educator, Integrated Pest Management, University of Illinois Extension-Quad Cities Center, and Kari Houle, Unit Educator, Horticulture, University of Illinois Extension-Knox County.

This workshop is designed for land owners, municipalities, township, county, and state highway departments, park districts, and anyone involved in the green industry. Pre-registration is required by February 18. Registration is $15 and will include lunch and speaker handouts. Call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County to register at (815) 235-4125. Register on-line at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu

The Northwest Illinois Grazing Workgroup will sponsor a grazing workshop titled "Getting the Most from Your Grazing Acres." The workshop will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, 210 W. Spring Street, Freeport. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9 a.m. to Noon.

"Don't Let Thistles and Brush Take Over Your Pasture" will be presented by Dave Feltes, Extension Educator, IPM, Quad Cities Center.

Dennis Cosgrove, Extension Forage Agronomist, University of Wisconsin-River Falls will present "Sorting Thru the Maze of Grasses – Characteristics & Where They Work." "Animal Nutrition and How It Is Affected by Grazing" will be presented by Dr. Alan Miller, Beef Cattle Specialist, University of Illinois.

This workshop is designed to help those who have experience managing pastures for maximum livestock production as well as those just starting a grazing operation in northwest Illinois. We will discuss management of your toughest weed problems, pasture grass species selection and the basics of animal nutrition of livestock on pasture.

Registrations are due by, Wednesday, March 5. Registration fee is $10 before March 5, or $15 after March 5. For more information or to pre-register for this program call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125. Registration is available on-line at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu click on "Getting the Most from your Grazing Acres."

Sustaining Illinois Soils will be discussed by University of Illinois Faculty and Extension Educators at a Soil and Water Management Workshop, to be held at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau on February 21, 2008. All speakers will be via teleconference. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. with the program beginning a 9 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. Lunch is provided with registration.

Certified Crop Advisors may receive 4 hours of credit in Soil and Water Management and 1 hour in Nutrient Management for attending this workshop.

Topics covered during the workshop will include Illinois Soils and basic soil survey techniques, soil carbon and climate change, using dredged Illinois River sediment to enhance poor soils, phosphorus cycling in soils, and soil microbial processes.

Pre-registration by February 14, is required. Registration costs are $30 per person. For more information or to register for this workshop call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125. Register on-line at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu .

Teleconference will be hosted at the U of I Extension Stephenson County Office on Wednesday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. Call (815) 235-4125 for more details.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Stephenson County will be presenting their annual "Joys of Gardening" on Saturday, February 23, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Highland Community College Conference Center.

This year's keynote speaker will be Trudi Temple, founder of Market Day. Her heartbreaking and humorous story has its roots in rural Germany during World War II.

As a six year old, Trudi traded her homegrown vegetables for toys and she began to develop a sharp business sense. Trudi's fearless determination and ingenuity propelled her through a dark period in her teens and early twenties. After immigrating to America, she rebounded from severe homesickness by immersing herself in gardening until her one-acre yard became a show place featuring twelve spectacular garden rooms, including a pond garden, a boulder garden and a hidden trail garden. Attracting hundreds of persons each year, visitors travel from out of state, from art and horticultural classes and from Chicago Botanic Garden and Morton Arboretum bus tours to study and enjoy Trudi's garden.

After the keynote address, there will be four break-out sessions as follows:

SESSION I

1. Sprouting 101-Starting Seeds at Home

2. Rain Gardens: Combining Beauty and Water Quality

3. Gifts from the Kitchen. This session is limited to 15 participants.

4. Worms are Natures' Recyclers-Let's make them a Home!Additional cost of $7.00

SESSION II

1. Gifts from the Kitchen Repeat from Session I, limited to 15 participants.

2. Soils, Swear and Tears: Managing Soils in the Home Landscape

3. Edible Landscapes

4. The Houses of Freeport

SESSION III

1. An Armchair Tour of Area Gardens

2. Gardening with Beneficial Insects. Includes "how to create a butterfly garden."

3. Seed Saving for Dummies

4. Willow Garden Structure (This workshop is two sessions long and is limited to20 participants).

SESSION IV

1. Painting Flowers. Limited to 12 participants. Additional material cost of $5.

2. Container Gardening

3. Willow Garden Structure(Continuation of Session III workshop)

4. Looking forward to Spring Migration

Garden related door prizes will be given away. Also a silent auction to benefit the Master Gardener program in Stephenson County will be held during the day.

Registration for Joys of Gardening is $25 if paid by February 15. Thereafter, or at the door $30. The registration fee includes morning refreshments, lunch, keynote speaker, four break-out sessions, materials and free seeds. A half day registration with no lunch is available for $15. There is an additional fee of $5 for the Painting Flowers Workshop and $15 for the Willow Workshop. (Sign up early for limited space in the willow class.) For more information call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125.

The Illinois Pesticide Act requires individual farmers to become certified as a Private Pesticide Applicator in order to purchase and use restricted use pesticides (RUPs). These products will clearly state the words "Restricted Use Pesticide" on the label. Common examples include the insecticides Counter, Force, and Pounce, and the herbicides Atrazine, Gramoxone Max, and Harness.

To become certified, you must pass a closed-book, 50 question examination administered by representatives of the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA). Once passed, a three-year certification license will be issued by the IDA upon receipt of a $20 licensing fee.

There are still opportunities available to take the Private Pesticide Applicator Test if you need to renew your license this year. There will be three test only sites offered locally. Monday, February 11, at 9 a.m. there will be a test offered at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine, Elizabeth, call (815) 858-2273 to register.

A test will be offered at the Stephenson County Extension Office on Thursday, March 20, at 9 a.m., call (815) 235-4125 to register. A test will be offered at the Ogle County Extension Office, 421 Pines Road, Oregon, on Tuesday March 25, at 9 a.m. please call (815) 732-2191 to register.

A series of workshops have been scheduled this winter to help Illinois livestock producers obtain the training they need to comply with their state's Livestock Management Facilities Act.

The Certified Livestock Manager Training Workshops will be held locally in two locations. A workshop with a beef/dairy emphasis will be held Monday, February 25, at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, 210 W. Spring Street, Freeport. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the program will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with IDOA exam following the workshop.

A workshop with a swine emphasis will be held on Tuesday, February 26, at the Carroll County Farm Bureau, Naaman Diehl Auditorium, Route 64 & 78, Mt. Carroll. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. with the program running from 8:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the IDOA exam following.

"We believe strongly in the benefits of continuing education," Warren Goetsch, bureau chief of Environmental Programs for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said. "Discussion topics have been updated to reflect current industry practices and provide new information to producers who may have completed the training before and are renewing their certification."

The new curriculum incorporates suggestions from producers, the University of Illinois Extension, which conducts the workshops, and government agencies.

It will cover:

· Odor control strategies

· The use of ethanol by-products, known as distillers'dried grains, as feed

· How to market manure as fertilizer to crop producers

· Manure sampling

· Carcass disposal

· Concrete construction requirements

The Livestock Management Facilities Act requires facilities with 300 or more animal units to have at least one employee certified in proper manure handling procedures. For facilities with 300 to 999 animal units, the employee either must attend a workshop or pass the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Certified Livestock Manager exam. Employees of facilities with 1,000 or more animal units must do both to achieve certification.

Employees also have the option of taking five online quizzes. Passing them is the equivalent of having attending a workshop, but does not substitute for passing the Certified Livestock Manager exam.

To register for a workshop, call the University of Illinois Extension at (800) 345-6087. The cost is $20. The workshops will use the instructional manual for the national Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship (LPES) Curriculum, which can be purchased at the time of registration for $46.50. There is no charge for the online quizzes other than the cost of a manual. To sign-up, contact Randy Fonner by calling (217) 333-2611 or by e-mailing clmt@uiuc.edu.

Annual forages is one of three topics that will be emphasized during the Productive Pasture Management for Northwestern Illinois workshops on February 11, in Forreston and February 12, in Woodhull. The workshops start at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at Noon. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

"Graziers will gain practical information and ideas that can be taken back to their operation and put to use," reports Bill Lindenmier, University of Illinois Extension Unit Educator, Crops Systems in Ogle County.

Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin Extension Forage Agronomist will discuss "Utilizing Annual Forages." Dave Seibert, Extension Animal Systems Educator will comment on "Where Co-Products Fit in a Grazing Program."

"Recognizing and Controlling Poisonous Weeds" will be presented by Dave Feltes, Extension IPM Educator.

Jim Morrison, Extension Crops Educator will address "What's Teff?" and "Late-Summer Seeded Oats as a Forage Crop."

The February 11, workshop will be held at Jack's Bar and Grill at the north edge of Forreston on Baileyville Road. On February 12, the workshop will be held at The Homestead, I-74 and Route 17, Woodhull. A $10 registration fee per person for refreshments and handout material is due one week prior to each workshop. For more information and to register for the February 11, workshop contact Ogle County Extension, (815) 732-2191, and for February 12, contact Henry-Stark County Extension, (309) 853-1533.

The workshops are co-sponsored by the Illinois Forage and Grassland Council, USDA Risk Management Agency, NW Illinois Forage and Grassland Council, NW Illinois Grazing Workgroup, and University of Illinois Extension.

University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County is pleased to announce an upcoming workshop for rural entrepreneurs."101 Enterprises for Your Farm" will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, from 9 a.m. – noon at the office of the University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County, 1925 S. Meridian Rd. Rockford, IL. Cost is $15, which is payable at the door.Pre-registration is required.

The workshop presenters will describe innovative, money-making ideas for your farm including raising unique crops or livestock, holding on-farm tourism events or starting an on-farm market. Participants will also learn about the risks in selling direct to consumers, how they can learn more about these enterprises, and what resources might be available to them to assist with business planning and marketing.

To register, call the University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County at (815) 986-4357 by Friday, February 8.

On Tuesday, February 26, Papa Murphy's, 1713 S. West Ave, Freeport will be donating 10% of the sales automatically to the Stephenson County 4-H & Extension Foundation. It's easy, all you have to do is make a purchase at Papa Murphy's on Tuesday, February 26. Please help support the Stephenson County 4-H & Extension Foundation. Thanks in advance for you support.

1st Farm Credit Services is pleased to offer the "At the Heart of a Growing America" Agricultural Scholarship Program for 2008. The scholarships will assist deserving high school seniors in furthering their education in an agriculture or agriculture-related field of study, and to help promote agriculture as a growing field of career opportunities.

Application deadline is February 15, 2008, so call the U of I Extension Office at (815) 235-4125 for a copy of the application. There will be a total of 23 $750 scholarships offered in the 42-county service territory.

The U of I Extension Office and the Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation are in the process of helping a local family create a new scholarship opportunity for former 4-H'ers who are completing a college degree. The grandson of the late Darryl Miller, former leader of the Harlem Helpers 4-H club, is spearheading this effort with the hopes that a scholarship in Darryl's memory will be awarded for the 2008-2009 school year. If you would like more information about this new opportunity, or would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County office at (815) 235-4125.

Here are the results from the January 12, Hay and Straw Auction in Orangeville, IL sponsored by the NW IL Forage and Grassland Council and supported by University of Illinois Extension.

210 small squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa, $2.60/bale

12 large squares, 3^rd crop, alfalfa, $47/bale

12 large squares, 1^st crop, alfalfa-grass, $32/bale

12 large squares, 1^st crop, alfalfa, $41/bale

12 large squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa, $44/bale

12 large squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa, $44/bale

190 small squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa, $2.60/bale

12 large squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa, $46/bale

7 round bales, new seeding, alfalfa, $37.50/bale

6 round bales, new seeding, alfalfa, $30/bale

16 large squares, 1^st crop, alfalfa, $30/bale

24 large squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa, $40/bale

12 large squares, 4^th crop, alfalfa, $46/bale

85 small squares (52 lb. each), 4^th crop, alfalfa, $2.70/bale ($104/ton)

8 large squares, alfalfa, $50/bale

15 large squares, 1^st crop, alfalfa, $44/bale

9 round bales, new seeding, alfalfa, $36/bale

10 large squares, 3^rd crop, alfalfa, $41/bale(21% crude protein, 116 RFV)

16 large squares, 3^rd crop, alfalfa, $43/bale

12 large squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa, $40/bale

12 large squares, 2^nd crop, grass, $39/bale

100 small squares, 2^nd crop, alfalfa-grass, $2.20/bale

18 large squares, 2^nd crop, grass, $39/bale

12 large squares, wheat straw, $26/bale

18 large squares, wheat straw, $28/bale

18 large squares, wheat straw, $27/bale

The next auction will be Saturday, February 9, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Boco MiniMart on Route 26, Orangeville.

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 .

A program to address how risk and returns can be managed using crop insurance and forward pricing will be offered at five locations in February, sponsored by the University of Illinois Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.

"Specific emphasis will be given to 2008 changes in crop insurance products, including the introduction of Biotech Yield Endorsement (BYE)," said Gary Schnitkey, U of I Extension Farm Financial Management Specialist who is overseeing the program. "Furthermore, impacts of crop insurance product choice on forward pricing levels, pricing targets, and the use of options will be examined."

"Given that a new Farm Bill has passed Congress, the impact of the Bill on risk will also be presented."

Joining Schnitkey on the program are Darrel Good and Scott Irwin, also professors in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.

Also sponsoring the series are the USDA's Risk Management Agency and U of I Extension's farmdoc.

Each session begins at 8:30 a.m. and adjourns at 11 a.m. Registration is $10 per person. Registration may be completed by contacting Sue Esposito, 326 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801. Meeting updates are available at http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/fasttools on the farmdoc website.

Dates and locations are:

Feb. 18--Macomb, McDonough County Extension Unit office; Feb. 20--Onarga, Ford/Iroquois County Extension Unit office; Feb. 26--Mount Vernon, Holiday Inn;

Feb. 27--Rock Falls, Rock Falls/Sterling Holiday Inn;

Feb. 28--Decatur, Macon County Extension Unit office.

For all 2008 State & County Fairs and 4-H & FFA Shows Obtain from IDOA at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid or (866) 299-9256.

Exhibitors of all livestock species, including equine, will be required to have a "Premises Registration Number" for exhibition at all 2008 State & County Fairs, as well as all 4-H & FFA Shows.

The Premises registration numbercorresponds tothe specific locationthat the animals are raised and does not have to be in the exhibitor's name. Premises registration is critical to protecting Illinois' livestock industry as it helps animal health officials minimize trace back times in the event of an animal disease outbreak. We would encourage those who do not already have a Premises number to do so at their earliest convenience. Registration is free andcan be accomplished on line at (www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid) or by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture at (866) 299-9256 for a paper form.

February 13, Northwest Illinois Tillage Seminar, Rock Falls Holiday Inn, Rock Falls, IL http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/whiteside

February 12-13, Illinois Crop Management Conference, Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center, Springfield, ILhttp://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/ag/news.htm

February 13, Illinois Soybean Association "SoyPosium," Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign, IL, call (888) 826-4011 for more information

February 19-20, Illinois Crop Management Conference, Kishwaukee College Conference Center, Malta, IL

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/ag/news.htm

February 21-24, Illinois Beef Expo, State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL http://www.illinoisbeefexpo.com/

February 26, Illinois Forage Institute, Holiday Inn, Mt. Vernon, IL

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/rockfordcenter/downloads/9879.pdf.

February 29-March 2, Illinois Horse Fair & Industry Trade Show, State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL www.HorsemensCouncil.org

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cie2/offices/calendar.cfm

To search for programs throughout the state, check out Extension's searchable calendar. Search by location, topic or date to find a program of interest to you.

Nikki Keltner

Program Coordinator, Ag and Natural Resources

nkeltner@uiuc.edu

Donna Johnson

Secretary III

dmjohns@uiuc.edu

Margaret Larson

County Director

mklarson@uiuc.edu

Phone: (815) 235-4125

Fax: (815) 232-9006

Office hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Website:

http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu