From The MU Extension Office:
With the first stretch of warm, dry days, farmers across the state are busy cutting, raking, and baling hay. Frequent rain this spring made getting hay dried at the optimal quality a major challenge.
On August 15th, MU Extension is offering a day of learning for farmers who grow hay and livestock producers who buy hay. With the increased costs of producing and buying hay, the frequent damage from army worms, and the damage to forage stands from several years of drought, this is the perfect time to consider how to dial in your hay making to produce a good quality product. If exclusively buying hay, livestock producers should also learn what to look out for when buying hay, to get the best product for their investment.
MU Extension Agronomy specialists Tim Schnakenberg and Josh Dunn will cover managing soil fertility for hay, forage selection and quality for hay production, pest management, and hay and round bale silage harvest systems.
MU Extension Livestock and Dairy Specialists Elizabeth Picking, Eric Meusch, and Chloe Collins will present on understanding and using hay tests, forage-based livestock nutrition, and hay feeding efficiency.
Jake Hefley, MU Extension Ag Business Specialist will cover managing the cost of hay which has become a significant issue for both hay growers and buyers in recent years.
This program is made possible due to our generous gold sponsors Morlan – Shell Ford, Inc., Dr. Peters – Animal Clinic of Ava, and Bayird Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat of West Plains and silver sponsor FCS Financial of West Plains.
If interested in registering for the August 15th hay school, pre-registration is required to ensure adequate food. The cost to attend is $10. To register, contact the Howell County Extension Office at 417-256-2391 or register online at: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/howell-county-hay-school
