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December 11, 2003

Five states join forces to educate producers on grazing

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Government agencies from Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky will join forces to educate farmers on the advantages of grazing.

The Heart of America Grazing Conference will be Jan. 21-22 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, 4101 U.S. 41 N., Evansville, Ind. Registration will begin at 3 p.m. CST on Jan. 21, with dinner and the conference's keynote speaker to follow. Temple Grandin, Colorado State University animal behavior specialist, will discuss "Selecting Animals for Pastures."

Registration for Jan. 22 will begin at 7:30 a.m. Sessions for that day include maximizing dry matter intake from pastures, economics of grazing, extending the grazing season using brassicas and small grains, and low-stress livestock handling on pastures.

After lunch, breakout sessions will be offered dealing with beef, dairy, horses and small ruminants.

Beef topics to be discussed include "Tall Fescue, Endophyte and Animal Relationships" and "Raising Beef and Making it Work!"

Michael Schutz, Purdue Extension dairy specialist, will talk about "Genetics of Dairy Grazing," and an Indiana dairy producer's session topic will be "Green, My Color of Opportunity."

The horse breakout sessions include "Overworked Pastures Need Rest and TLC" and "Making a Drylot a Pasture." Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist, and David Redman, Purdue Extension educator in Lawrence County, will be the featured speakers.

"Raising Goats on Forages and Controlling Parasites on Pastures" and "Grazing Sheep for Profit" will be discussed for producers interested in small ruminants.

Throughout the two days and between breakout sessions, exhibitor booths will be on display. Participants can learn about new products and visit with exhibitors.

Those interested in attending the conference can register by Jan. 12 for a reduced price. The early registration cost is $45 for both days, $20 for Jan. 21 and $25 for Jan. 22. After Jan. 12, registration is $60 for both days, $25 for Jan. 21 and $35 for Jan. 22. The registration fee covers all program materials and meals.

Lodging is available at the Holiday Inn for $49 per night per room. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 465-4329, and participants should indicate that they are with the Heart of America Grazing Conference.

For more information, contact Allen Ullom at (812) 547-7084. To register, contact the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District at (812) 867-0729.

Writer: Michelle Betz, (765) 494-8402, agnews-stories@purdue.edu

Source: Allen Ullom, (812) 547-7084, ullomg@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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