Press release submitted by University of Illinois Extension


U of I news: Illinois Forage Institute on March 5, Galva, IL


URBANA -- The Illinois Forage Institute will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Black Hawk College, East Campus, Conference Center, 26230 Black Hawk Road, Galva, Ill. The educational program, beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m., will focus on managing hay land and pastures. The program will include commercial exhibits focusing on the forage industry.

Topics to be presented in the morning include forages for horses, forage species selection, pasture weed control, pasture fertility, and costs to produce hay. The afternoon topics include soil sampling for pastures, grazing cover crops, economics of pasture forage production, pasture renovation after the drought, and feeding livestock on drought-damaged hay and forage. Program presenters include staff from University of Illinois Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and forage industry companies. Several beef producers will also make presentations.

The cost for the educational program is $15 per person for Illinois Forage and Grassland Council (IFGC) members and $20 per person for non-members. Pre-registration is requested by Feb. 22. The cost will be $20 and $25 per person after Feb. 22 and at the door on March 5, respectively. Registration covers a noon meal and forage presentation handout material.

To register, contact University of Illinois Extension, Rock Island County, 321 W. 2nd Avenue, Milan, Ill., 309-756-9978. On-line registration and the program agenda can be accessed at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/hmrs/. Companies interested in setting up forage-related commercial exhibits should contact Dave Gentry at 309-557-6397, dgentry@growmark.com.

The Forage Institute is sponsored by the IFGC and Black Hawk College and supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and U of I Extension.