BROOKINGS, S.D. — SDSU Extension will host the Black Hills Hay Day Thursday, June 22, 2017 beginning at 9 a.m. at Seven Down Arena near Spearfish (6625 Centennial Road).
The program is designed with active demonstrations of a variety of forage-related topics including:
1. New hay harvesting equipment will be demonstrated.
2. Viewing and yield/quality determination of cool season and warm season forage cover crop mixes, perennial and annual forage plots.
3. Dennis Hoyle, Director of the S.D. Soil Health Coalition and Stan Boltz – USDA-NRCS Regional Soil/Rangeland Health Specialist will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate the value of soil health in mitigating drought conditions.
4. Dave Ollila, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist, along with Boltz will instruct attendees in methods to determine forage availability, nutrient levels and grazing plans when grazing cover crops, cereal grains and irrigated pastures.
5. Tom Baer with American Ag Video Auction will discuss hay marketing and quality issues when buying and selling forages.
6. Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, will be on hand to conduct Nitrate Quick tests on forages and Livestock Water suitability testing free of charge.
7. Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Ray Ward of Ward Laboratories, will discuss the value and use of forage and soil analysis.
8. Forage-related vendors will be present.
For more information about the program or interest in hosting a booth, please contact Dave Ollila at 605-569-0224, david.ollila@sdstate.edu or Meghan Foos, CBH Cooperative Agronomist at 605-645-7556, MFoos@cbhcoop.com.
— SDSU Extension
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