Winter Forage Conference to focus on coping with drought
Jan. 24, 2023
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Conference scheduled for Feb. 2 in El Paso, Ark.
- 2022 drought conditions will likely have continued impact
- $25 to attend; $10 for students
(392 words)
(Newsrooms: With flyer at https://flic.kr/p/2odcHyK; photo of Jennings at https://flic.kr/p/2odcMvs)
EL PASO, Ark. — Drought conditions in 2022 had an extraordinary impact on the cattle industry in Arkansas as well as much of the country. As water supplies became increasingly scarce throughout the summer, pastures and forage stocks throughout the Mid-South and beyond dwindled, and many producers were forced to cull their herds.
While the situation can’t be reversed overnight, experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture hope to prepare the state’s cattle producers and pasture managers to navigate the year ahead and make the most of whatever hand they may be dealt.
On Feb. 2, the Arkansas Forage & Grassland Council will present “Warding Off the Next Drought,” a one-day winter forage conference featuring researchers, agricultural economists and other experts presenting facts and strategies to stay profitable in 2023.
The conference is scheduled to be held at Crossroads Cowboy Church, located at 3071 Arkansas 5 in El Paso, Arkansas. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $25 to attend; students pay only $10.
John Jennings, professor and extension forage specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the conference will help producers manage their resources in the coming year.
“Drought cannot be stopped,” Jennings said. “But by understanding the seasonal production and needs of your forage operation, you can plan ahead to reduce the impact.”
The conference’s agenda includes:
- 8:30 Registration opens
- 9:00 Welcome — Joel Reagan, president, Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council
- 9:15 How we got ahead of last year’s drought — Shane Gadberry, professor and director of the Livestock and Forestry Research Station, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- 10:00 Using the forage calendar — John Jennings, professor and forage specialist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- 10:30 Break
- 11:00 Annual forages and using them to your advantage — Kenny Simon, extension animal science instructor, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- 11:45 AFGC business meeting
- Noon Lunch / Vendors / Posters
- 1:00 Managing your fertilizer dollar — Bronc Finch, assistant professor-soil fertility, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- 1:30 Fertilizer outlook for 2023 — Hunter Biram, assistant professor, ag economist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- 2:00 Insuring your forages against the next drought — James Mitchell, assistant professor-livestock marketing and management, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- 2:30 What can you do with drones and other emerging technologies — Jason Davis, extension application technologist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- 3:15 Questions
- 3:30 Adjourn
For more information or to register before the event, contact Linda McCargo at 501-671-2171.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
@Ryan_McG44
501-671-2120