TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension Christian County office in Taylorville hosted the Dudley Smith Beef Cow-Calf Field Day Monday, January 23, 2017 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. This “in-office” field day highlighted the latest on beef cattle grazing systems, livestock management in research trials around the Midwest and those in place at the U of I Dudley Smith Farm near Pana. The program offered updates on local and regional livestock nutrition and grazing projects, and livestock feeding issues, as well as opportunities and how to plan for 2017.
Special guests included:
Professor David Davis—University of Missouri Research Center shared information about current research in forage grazing species selection for pastures and how to extend the grazing season.
Ed Ballard—retired Extension Animal Systems Educator and Gary Letterly provided a rundown of projects, events and activities that are forage and livestock related in association with Dudley Smith Initiatives and the U of I – College of ACES.
TJ Curtin – local Christian County cattle producer spoke about his family’s livestock operation and shared details of how they apply current practices and research on their farm.
The program included a lunch provided by the U of I Extension Christian County.
Program Itinerary:
Introductions and Announcements: Gary Letterly, U of I Extension
USDA & Christian County Soil & Water Conservation updates and news
Ongoing Dudley Smith Projects – Regional Forage and Livestock Efforts in the Midwest: Gary Letterly and Ed Ballard
University of Missouri Research Center. Pasture diversity, use of cover crops to help extend the grazing season: David Davis (Including a question and answer session.)
Local Producer Discussion: TJ Curtin
Producer Panel—area livestock producers shared details of their operation.
For more information, please contact Gary Letterly, Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator at the Christian County Extension Office in Taylorville by calling 217-287-7246 or via email letterly@illinois.edu. The public is also encouraged to visit Extension’s website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cjmm/ for information about upcoming programs.
— University of Illinois Extension
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