Maintaining a year-long forage chain, feeding high forage diets & alternative forages to dairy cattle, and re-thinking particle size of alfalfa & corn silage are just a few of the presentations at Midwest Forage Association’s (MFA) Tour de Forage on January 25-27 across Minnesota. Kris Ringwall, former director of the Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence in Saskatoon; Brad Heins, Associate Professor at UM’s West Central Research & Outreach Center; and Rick Grant, President of the Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy, NY, are the keynote speakers at Floodwood, Melrose, and Rochester, respectively.
“This year’s Tour de Forage features an impressive lineup of forage experts eager to share their knowledge and experience with Minnesota’s forage and dairy farmers,” said Beth Nelson, MFA President. “Our goal is to give forage farmers tools to make the coming year successful.”
Tour de Forage (TDF) meetings:
· Tuesday, January 25, Floodwood, MN (The Event Center)
· Wednesday, January 26, Melrose, MN (Melrose City Hall)
· Thursday, January 27, Rochester, MN (Eagles Club)
To take advantage of discounted pre-registration, which ends Jan. 17, visit midwestforage.org. On-site register is available but costs more, so register today!
With University of Minnesota Extension and northeast, central, and southeast local forage councils, the Midwest Forage Association is hosting this popular, annual series of meetings. Agendas vary by location so visit midwestforage.org for site-specific programs.
New this year … you don’t have to pick and choose. Register to attend a TDF event and you may request a link to participate in any or all sites virtually. Presentations include:
· BMP for Increasing the Success of Seeding Small-Seeded Perennials
· Minnesota Legislative Update from Thom Peterson, MN Commissioner of Agriculture
· Developing a Drought Management Plan to Address Pasture & Stored Feed Needs
· Finding Your Way Out of the Woods – Pasture Improvement (Producer Panel)
· Annual Weed Management in Alfalfa
· High Forage Dairy Rations: It Can Work, Here’s How
· Navigating Science & Communication Aspects of Sustainable Dairy Production
· Alfalfa Research for 21st Century Production Systems
· Evaluating BMPs for Manure Application on Alfalfa
· Forage Value & Management – Cover Crops & Summer Annuals
· Back to the Future for Forage Fertilization
· Managing Weed Seeds in Manure
· Outlook for Farmland Prices & Rents
· … and more (see specific brochures for details regarding each location’s presentations).
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about forages, network with industry professionals, and have your forage-related questions answered. Lunch will be served for those attending in-person (thus, preregistration is appreciated). Proceedings are included with registration and include all TDF speakers.
To register, please visit www.midwestforage.org or contact MFA at 651.484.3888.
