The Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council is presenting its 15th annual Winter Workshop at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 20 at Central Lakes College, Staples.
This year's workshop, themed "Energizing Pastures and Forages," builds on the previous year's seminars, which took participants from workshop to field for an in-depth look at practices to build soil, increase production and protect water quality. The Forage Council decided to keep the momentum going around this topic and knowledge base. The topics in this workshop will address how the integration of livestock and crops, and the introduction of cover crops, can lead to greater soil fertility, greater biodiversity, fewer inputs and better returns.
Featured speaker Dr. Allen Williams' presentation, "Gaining vigor in our soils, pastures, genetics and crops," will take an integrated look at pastures, blending of livestock and crop production, cover crops, beef cow reproductive efficiency, genetics and market trends. Dr. Williams holds a PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics/Reproduction from Louisiana State University and an M.S. and B.S. in Animal Science from Clemson University. He served as a professor of animal science at Louisiana Tech University, and as an Extension Beef Cattle Specialist/Associate Professor at Mississippi State University, prior to the formation of Livestock Management Consultants, LLC. Dr. Williams also has an extensive farm and ranch background.
Steve Flanagan, who farms with his wife, Sue, near Bluffton offers a local, on-the-ground presentation of his experience with incorporating soil-building practices. His talk, themed "Lessons from the ground up, transforming depleted ground into a richer, viable grazing system," will walk participants through his successes, failures and what he and his wife have learned along the way. They operate a diversified beef cattle and crop farm. They use cow calf pairs and stockers in their rotational grazing system. For several years, they have implemented the use of cover crops in their rotation, which is harvested by the livestock. Steve will give real world experiences and cost-benefit analysis from using these crops in their system.
This year's workshop at Central Lakes College, 1830 Airport Rd., Staples, begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration. Along with the speakers, there will be a Q&A session. Sponsors will be on hand with displays and handouts. Lunch will be served and is included in the ticket price of $25 per person.
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The Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council is now a networking group of the Sustainable Farming Association. Information about the Forage Council can be found at www.sfa-mn.org .
For registration information and a downloadable flyer and form you can go to www.sfa-mn.org; or contact Jim Chamberlin, 218-831-0528, email jchamberlin@hugllc.com ; or Charles Horsager, 218-639-4225, email chorsager@unitybanking.com for registration information.
