Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference to Focus on Efficiency

Rising input costs over the last two years have been driving up the cost of production for every sector in agriculture. Livestock and forage producers that manage their farms, while keeping an eye towards the future, know one of the keys for continued profitability is efficiency in growing a crop or animal. At the Great Lakes Forage & Grazing Conference (GLFGC), keynote speaker Daniel Olson, 7th generation dairy farmer, will address “Finding More Energy in Forages: Whether dairy, beef, small ruminants or grassfeds, feeding high energy forages is the key.” Olson is a busy speaker and writer who enjoys developing innovative solutions to challenges in agriculture. Plus, he still finds time to milk cows most days on his family farm.

Join the Michigan Forage Council and Michigan State University Extension at the 2023 Great Lakes Forage & Grazing Conference March 9 at AgroLiquid, located at 3055 W. M-21, St. Johns. The trade show and registration will open at 9 a.m.. Pre-registration is encouraged for all attendees. Pre-registration deadline is March 7. Lunch is not guaranteed with registration after March 7.

Registration covers all sessions, lunch, and breaks. Pre-registration will save each participant $10 per person. After early registration closes, all registration will be at the door.

All dairy, livestock, forage producers, graziers, custom forage harvesters, agribusinesses, US Veterans, and any other interested in forage agriculture systems are encouraged to attend this year’s event.

One of the highlights of the GLFGC is the Forage Spokesperson Contest. This year we have an excellent slate of participants and look forward to the talks about their farm and business insights.

Other sessions will feature Kim Cassida, PhD, MSU Forage Specialist discussing her latest research; Erin Burns, PhD, MSU Forage Weed Specialist, will have a session about “Answering tough questions about tough weeds in hay and pasture fields;” Shelby Gruss, PhD, MSU, will speak on “Inhibiting Prussic Acid for a Safer and Tasty Sorghum;” Phil Kaatz, MSU Extension Forage Educator, will speak on, “You never get over a good or bad start when establishing alfalfa;” and Andy Nevill, of Nevill Fencing Supply, Inc., will talk about, “Making Fencing Systems More Efficient.”

For help concerning registration, call Lapeer County MSU Extension and talk to Tina House at 810-667-0341 or email her at houset@msu.edu. For more information, contact Phil Kaatz at 810-338-5242 or email him at kaatz@msu.edu.