Purdue News

June 4, 1999 Forage your way to great hay at the annual Hay Day WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Educational and panel discussions, hay making demonstrations by 14 different companies, and a hay quality contest will encompass Purdue University's annual Hay Day on Thursday, June 24, at the Feldun-Purdue Agricultural Center west of Bedford, Ind. "The goal is to inform farmers on how to produce and utilize forages," said Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist. "It also gives farmers the opportunity to interact with producers of like interest, agribusiness personnel and university personnel." The one-day event, sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Indiana Forage Council, will feature morning and afternoon sessions. Seminars given by specialists in the morning will address such topics as reducing the risk of rain-damaged hay and losses from the potato leafhopper, forage performance trials, an improved sorghum-sudangrass, and how to effectively provide water in a pasture. In the afternoon, more than 14 companies will demonstrations equipment, including mowers, tedders, rakes, balers, wrappers. "Seeing the different pieces of equipment perform side by side is especially helpful," Johnson said. "I've always felt that if someone has a need to purchase equipment, the demonstrations would help him or her make a more informed decision." Farmers also can compete in a hay quality contest. To participate a farmer must bring one unbroken bale of hay as an entry. The hay will be taken to Purdue and tested with a near infrared reflectance spectrophotometer. Winners will be announced within 10 days of the field day. The Indiana Forage Council will give each winner will a certificate, and agribusinesses will award forage-related products to the winner of each division. Hay Day is free, and lunch is available at a minimal price. For more information contact the Purdue Extension educator for your area. Source: Keith Johnson, 494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu Writer: Kelly Lucas, 494-8402, news_students@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page