Indiana Forage Field Day set for Oct. 30 in Trafalgar

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Forage growers and livestock producers will have the opportunity to see the diverse use of forages during Indiana Forage Field Day activities in the Trafalgar area.

The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center, 6595 S County Road 125 W in Johnson County, about 25 miles south of Indianapolis. Registration will start at 9 a.m. It is hosted by Purdue Extension, CenUSABioenergy and the Indiana Forage Council.

"This will be an opportunity to learn how forages are grown for many different purposes, such as soil conservation, feed for livestock, wildlife habitat and as a biofuel," said Purdue Extension forage specialist Keith Johnson, organizer of the field day. "And they can be grown on marginal soils where corn and soybeans aren't as profitable."

The target audience is farmers, agribusiness personnel and other outreach personnel.

There will be discussion about forage production and use at the Wagler dairy farm and the Zupancic farm in the morning. Forage crops at the Wagler farm are used as a feed resource. At the Zupancic farm, there will be discussion of hay production, and participants will see a field of turnips used by beef cattle.

In the afternoon, there will be a field observation looking at the warm-season grasses that are being evaluated as biofuel resources. Bus transportation to the farms will be provided.

Topics and presenters:

* Wagler's Dairy Farm: Sarah Wagler, interviewed by Sarah Hanson, Purdue Extension agriculture and natural resources educator in Johnson County.

* Zupancic Farm: John and Matthew Zupancic, interviewed by Chris Parker, director of Purdue Extension in Morgan County, and agriculture and natural resources educator.

* "Warm-Season Grass Production Observations and Results": Johnson. 

To register, contact Sarah Hanson at sspeedy@purduee.edu by Oct. 25. Registration fee of $25 is due the day of the event. Lunch will be served during the event. Checks should be made payable to Purdue University-Johnson County Education Fund. Registrants should specify any food or transportation needs. 

Writer: Carlee Glassburn, 765-496-2384, cglassbu@purdue.edu 

Source: Keith Johnson, 765-494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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