COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Last year's forage shortages, coupled with low inventories and continued elevated feed grain prices, are changing the way Ohio livestock producers manage production. Ohio State University Extension is offering several programs in February and March that address economic and management changes that producers may be facing.
The programs, "Ruminant Livestock: Facing New Economic Realities," are planned for Fairfield, Knox, Highland and Athens counties. Each program will take place over the course of two evenings. Cost to attend is $15, which covers program materials. The OSU Extension Beef Cattle Team developed the programs.
The programs will take place at the following locations:
• Feb. 25 and 27: OSU Extension office in Fairfield County; 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.; call (740) 653-5419 for more information.
• March 10 and 17: OSU Extension office in Knox County; 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.; call (740) 397-0401 for more information.
• March 19 and 26: OSU Extension office in Highland County; 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.; call (937) 393-1918 for more information.
• March 20 and 27: OSU Extension office in Athens County; 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.; call (740) 593-8555 for more information.
OSU Extension specialists will address a number of economic and management alternatives producers could potentially utilize including: dividing pastures, eliminating round bale feeder rings from the operation, using more co-product feeds, using distillers grains as the primary source of phosphorus and as a soil fertility amendment, replacing corn silage with hay as a lower cost forage option, using wheat straw and other low quality forages as a source of feed, and making annual forages the traditional double crop of choice.
OSU Extension specialists and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center researchers presenting during the programs include Francis Fluharty, John Grimes, Rory Lewandowski, Jeff McCutcheon, and Stan Smith. Natural Resources Conservation Service grassland conservationist Bob Hendershot and Curt Stivison from the Fairfield County Soil and Water Conservation District will also serve as presenters.