How to get the maximum use out of annual and perennial forage growth will be the focus of presentations at the annual beef cattle and forage field day Aug. 27 at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center's ranch southwest of Manning.
The free event begins with registration at 12:30 p.m.
Agricultural producers will view management options that can give livestock producers more pounds per acre while enhancing soil health, according to program coordinator Douglas Landblom, center animal scientist.
One of the key components will be how producers can use an assortment of forages on their farms and ranches to supplement traditional grazing practices. Landblom is a proponent of using livestock to harvest forage, which can decrease mechanical harvesting costs and provide economic opportunity through increased livestock gains. He will present research on using stockpiled grass and crop residue to decrease winter feeding costs.
Other topics and the presenters are:
• Data on research conducted at the center on increasing gains on forage, which can delay the placement of cattle in feedlots and reduce costs - Songul Senturklu, visiting Turkish research scholar
• Updates on cover crops and nitrogen fertility - Fara Brummer, NDSU area Extension livestock systems specialist at the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center near Streeter, and Larry Cihacek, NDSU soil scientist in Fargo
• Reflections and data on various forage management options - producers Derrick Dukart of Manning and Lucas Hoff of Richardton
Participants also will visit the Dukart farm.
For more information about the field day, contact Landblom at 701-456-1109 or douglas.landblom@ndsu.edu.
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