Ferdinand to Host Heart of America Grazing Conference

From Local Sources

FERDINAND, IN – Producers interested in improving their grazing management or looking to start a grass-finished beef enterprise should consider attending the Heart of America Grazing Conference January 22 and 23 to hear from leaders in the grazing industry.

The Indiana Forage Council is organizing the 2019 conference.  The Heart of America Grazing Conference is an annual event that moves around the Midwest.  The host site for the conference is the Ferdinand Community Center in Ferdinand, Indiana.   Registration for the event will be $90 if registration is complete by December 31, 2018.  Prices increase after this date.  Registration information is available atwww.indianaforage.org.  According to Dr. Keith Johnson, “The Heart of America Grazing Conference is a great opportunity for all forage-livestock producers.  This multi-state educational event brings individuals from farms, agribusinesses and education/service providers together to network with one another about how to improve grazing management systems.”

Funding for the 2019 Heart of America Grazing Conference is in part from the Indiana Livestock Grant Program awarded by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. 

 Keynote speakers include:

               Dr. Keith Johnson, Forage Extension Specialist, Purdue University

                        Dr. Scott Barao, Executive Director, Jorgensen Family Foundation

                        Dr. R.P. Cooke, owner 499 Ranch, writer Beef Producer Magazine

                        Dr. Dennis Fennewald, Tennessee Tech University

                        Dr. Ray Smith, Forage Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

                        Dr. Grant Burcham, Director, Heeke Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

                        Dr. Scott Flynn, Pasture and Land Management, Corteva Agrisciences

            Topics include:

                        Starting a Grass-Fed Beef Operation

                        Changing Pasture Composition through Grazing Management

                        Grazing Technologies and Gadgets

                        Red Clover, More than Just Nitrogen

                        Forage Related Animal Disorders

                        Matching Forage Resources to Livestock Stage of Production

                        Understanding Forage Plant Growth and Rest Requirements

 The Ferdinand Community Center is located at 1710 Community Dr. Ferdinand, IN 47532.

 Source:  Jason Tower, 812-678-4427, [email protected]