Feb. 8, 2017

Match longer grazing seasons with better hay at AFGC Winter Forage Conference on Feb. 23

By Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast Facts:

Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council’s Winter Forage Conference Feb. 23 in Conway.
U of Missouri forage agronomist Tim Schnakenberg, featured speaker
Discussions will include follow-up on plots toured last fall

(390 words)

CONWAY, Ark. — Improving hay quality to match longer grazing seasons will be the key topic at the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council Winter Forage Conference on Feb. 23 in Conway.

Longer grazing seasons save time, money, and hay feeding, said John Jennings, extension forage specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“Livestock usually get good nutrition from green pasture,” Jennings said. “But what about the period when hay is needed? If we are supposed to feed hay for fewer days, how do we make better hay?”

The conference will feature two research efforts related to the 300 Days Grazing Program developed by the Cooperative Extension Service. They include “research on planting spring oats to improve fall grazing and quality, as well as work studying the effects of different fall planting dates on forage production of several winter annual forages to reduce winter hay feeding,” Jennings said. Of particular interest will be how these demonstration plots fared during the dry fall and this year’s odd winter weather.

Attendees also will hear about forage management in New Zealand and how those practices might apply to Arkansas farms.

Tim Schnakenberg, regional forage agronomist from the University of Missouri, will be the featured speaker. Schnakenberg is founder of the Missouri Hay School, which promotes improved techniques for producing better hay.

The Feb. 23 conference will be held at the Woodland Heights Education building in Conway. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 9 a.m.

Registration can be paid at the door by cash, credit or debit card, or check. The cost is $25 per person and $10 for students and includes lunch and conference materials. Pre-event registration is encouraged to help with conference planning, but is not required for attendance.

“Anyone wanting to improve their forage system should attend this conference,” Jennings said.

For more information about the conference or to pre-register, call Linda McCargo at 501-671-2171.

The Woodland Heights Education building is located at 4215 Prince Street at the corner of Prince and Hogan streets in Conway. To reach the Education Building, take the Dave Ward exit (Exit 129) and go west on Dave Ward Drive about four miles to Hogan Lane. Turn right (north) onto Hogan and go to Prince Street. Woodland Heights Baptist Church is at that corner on the left.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact the Animal Science office, 501-671-2171, as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

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