Make Informed Decisions For Your Beef Herd

JUDY MAE BINGMAN

BAYLIS, ILLINOIS

   Producers weigh management options to build profitable cattle herds. 

   Researchers at this year's Orr Beef Research Center Field Day will review several management practices to consider.

   The field at begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 at the Ag Sciences Complex and Fred Bradshaw Learning Center of the John Wood Community College Ag Center, west of Perry. Registration is required by emailing Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension commercial ag educator, at wmeteer2@illinois.edu. Indicate any reasonable accommodation needed to participate when registering.

   A free box meal will be provided. The indoor event will be held regardless of weather.

   The field day presentations

   Dan Shike, Josh McCann, and University of Illinois graduate research students will lead discussion on extending the grazing season using summer and fall stockpiling, creep feeding for drylot cow/calf pairs, and the practice of limit feeding.

   Host Travis Meteer will provide an overview of feed cost controls. 

   David Otte of Green Valley Seeds will show the potential of growing forage using cover crops. State Climatologist Trent Ford will give an outlook for the year's weather trends and forecasts.

   Producers are reminded to not wear clothing or footwear that has been worn in feedlots or pastures unless washed. ∆

   JUDY MAE BINGMAN: Illinois Extension Marketing and Communications Manager