GALENA, Mo. — The 98th Lawrence County Soils and Crops Conference will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center located at 14548 State Hwy H, near Mt. Vernon, Mo.
This year’s conference will focus on a variety of topics of interest to livestock producers. “There is lots of discussion regarding improved market potential that may be coming. Ag business specialist Wesley Tucker will be on hand to discuss the current outlook for the beef market in 2023.” said Tim Schnakenberg, a field specialist in agronomy with University of Missouri Extension.
“Reagan Bluel, field specialist in dairy, will also address the many challenges that livestock producers are facing regarding how to feed hay and silage with high nitrates. This topic has been on the minds of many producers since the summer drought began and continues into winter.”
An “out of the box” topic is also planned to help producers consider a new alternative to feeding hay over the winter. Rusty Lee, field specialist in agronomy based in Montgomery County, will be addressing winter feeding of standing milo versus feeding hay. There are a few producers around Missouri who have successfully adopted this novel practice which reduces the amount of hay that is fed to the cow herd.
For those who preregister early, a rib-eye steak dinner will be prepared by the Southwest Cattlemen’s Association and the Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Financial support is also provided by Mid-Missouri Bank of Mt. Vernon, Ozark Electric Cooperative, Joplin Regional Stockyards and Lawrence County Farm Bureau.
There is no charge to attend but attendees must preregister by Jan. 3 with the Lawrence County Extension Center to order their meal and reserve a seat. Please pre-register on-line at: https://bit.ly/lawrence23 or call 417-466-3102.
— Missouri Extension