2009 Spring Forage Conference

Spring Forage Conference set for February 24th in Springfield

The 25th annual Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference will be Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Each year this conference attracts an increasing number of people interested in learning more about management strategies for forages and livestock. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Fred Provenza from Utah State University. Dr Provenza is known for his extensive knowledge and understanding of animal behavior and the plant/herbivore interactions. He is a nationally recognized speaker and authored several publications on this subject. Fred started his career as a rancher in south-central Colorado. He then achieved his higher education and has spent the last 25+ years studying, teaching, and advising producers and professionals on understanding behavioral processes and using that understanding to improve grazing or livestock management. His topic for the noon luncheon is called "Behavior-Based Management for Animal Wellbeing, Ecosystem Diversity and Enterprise Adaptability". The conference will also feature several breakout sessions to choose from- both in the morning and the afternoon. Topics will include: Maximizing grazing while lowering input, adding legumes to pastures, endophyte infected fescue research over the last 30 years, concept of high stock density grazing, the importance of soil organic matter, finishing cattle on pasture, the economic outlook for the livestock industry, back-grounding as part of the cow herd, the importance of "leaf stage" in managing forages, carbon credits and how is relates to livestock producers, and balancing carrying capacities/stocking rates seasonally. More than 30 companies and organizations will have exhibits, and will have representatives available to discuss their products and services. Conference registration begins at 8 a.m., with sessions running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person in advance or $35 at the door. A banquet luncheon is included with the registration. To pre-register (by February 17th) or to get more information, contact the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District at (417) 831-5246, extension 3. Conference information and a registration form are also available on the Internet at http://agebb.missouri.edu/sfc. The conference is co-sponsored by several southwest Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Missouri State University, University of Missouri Extension, MU Southwest Center, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the USDA Farm Service Agency. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."