Released: February 05, 2004

K-State, Missouri Officials to Discuss Forage Production

SENECA, Kan. – Even as the snow flies in many areas of the Great Plains, farmers are casting an eye on their spring and summer crop rotations.

The early February storm’s moisture is a welcome relief, but the lessons of three years of drought and near-drought can make growers nervous.

Officials at Kansas State University and the University of Missouri are getting together to help ease the tension for farmers. They’ve scheduled two meetings in two states – on the same day – to talk about forage production for livestock.

The meetings are set for Thursday, March 4 in Savannah, Mo., and Seneca, Kan. The Savannah meeting will take place 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Clasbey Center, and the Seneca meeting will be 4 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at Valentino’s restaurant.

“Producers are evaluating their regular crop rotations to determine if forage production may be more profitable than traditional row crops,” said Joel DeRouchey, livestock specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “And with the dry conditions we’ve encountered in past years, pasture management is more important than ever.”

Interested persons are encouraged to pre-register by Feb. 26. In Kansas, call the Nemaha County Extension office at 785-336-2184, and in Missouri, call the Andrew County Outreach and Extension office at 816-324-3147. The pre-registration cost is $10; the cost at the door is $15. A meal will be served during each meeting.

“We have a lot of livestock and a lot of forage produced in our (northeast Kansas) area,” said David Key, a K-State Research and Extension agricultural agent in Nemaha County. “But where we are lacking is how to market those resources; that’s the area where we are most in need of getting information to our producers.”

Highlighting the agenda:

* K-State crops and soils specialist Gary Kilgore will talk about pasture management following three years of drought;

* Agricultural economist Kevin Moore of the University of Missouri will discuss the economics of purchasing versus raising forages;

* K-State agronomist Jim Shroyer will talk about maximizing production of alfalfa, brome and fescue;

* K-State agricultural engineer John Slocombe will talk about storage types and techniques of harvested forages.

“I think the information will be practical and beneficial for producers to apply to their own operations,” said K-State’s DeRouchey. “Many of the suggestions are not high in cost, but rather routine daily management decisions.

“Our goal,” he added, “is to help increase the efficiency of time and maximize profitability for those who grow forages. We want to help them save money by properly managing pastures, maximizing their available forages and properly storing forages to prevent losses from weather.”

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Pat Melgares, Marketing Coordinator
melgares@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News