Illinois Forage and Grassland Council educational meeting March 12

LEXINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Forage and Grassland Council will host an educational meeting for livestock and hay producers on Saturday, March 12.

The meeting will be held in the conference center at the Illinois State University farm, 25578 ISU Farm Lane, Lexington. The educational program will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a tour of the Illinois State University research farm at 1 p.m.

Speakers will include livestock producers and hay growers from all over Illinois. Discussions will focus on current topics and situations producers are facing on-farm.

A meal will be provided to those who take part in the discussions and tour.

The program includes two panel discussions featuring livestock producers and forage growers.

The livestock producer panel will include Don Mackinson, a dairy farmer who also runs a custom harvesting business; Terry Bachtold, a beef cattle producer who farms with a focus on soil health; and Elton Mau, a sheep and hay producer who also focuses on regenerative grazing.

The forage grower panel will feature Maria Cox, a beef cattle and hay producer; Steve Degner, a row crop and hay farmer; and Brandon Stewart, a cattle, hay and cover crop farmer.

The panelists will focus on sharing their farming experience and answering hot-button issues such as fertility costs, rent fees, baling tips, grazing practices and forage production strategies. Speakers will address any producer questions during the panel discussion.

No registration is necessary. Illinois Forage and Grasslands Council provides this educational and networking opportunity at no cost.

More information on the field day is available at www.facebook.com/IllinoisForage.