Jan. 21 2020 01:39 PM

Another in a series of “Supporting Farmers During Challenging Times” Meetings

The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

WHEN: February 28, 2020

WHERE: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | Extension Fond du Lac County or

10:00 am to 3:00 pm | Cobble Stone Creek, Brillion

The 2019 growing and harvest season will go down in the history books as the most challenging one in memory. Alfalfa winterkill, record precipitation, below normal temperatures, delayed planting, excessive mud, and brutal harvest conditions made for a difficult year for farmers and custom business owners who work with farmers. The effects of Mother Nature from 2019 certainly have had, and will continue to have, an impact on feed inventories and quality throughout Eastern Wisconsin.

Because of the financial impact of feed quality and quantity on the milking herd and replacement animals, UW-Madison Extension in six counties will be hosting a “Meeting Tomorrow’s Feeding Challenges Today” Seminar, as part of our popular “Supporting Farmers During Challenging Times” meeting series.

The meetings will be offered, simultaneously, at two locations on February 28th. One meeting will be held at Extension Fond du Lac County located on the Fond du Lac Campus of UW-Oshkosh, 400 University Drive, Fond du Lac, WI. The other meeting will be held at Cobble Stone Creek, 800 Ryan Street, Brillion, WI. Registration for both meetings will start at 9:30 am with the program beginning at 10 am and concluding by 3:00.

The agenda and speakers for both meetings will be the same. Topics and presenters include:

Feed Hygiene: High Quality Silage for High Quality Performance by Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian, VitaPlus Forage Products and Dairy Technical Service Specialist

Does She Grow or Should She Go? Heifer Inventory Management Strategies by Tina Kohlman, Dairy and Livestock Agent, UW-Madison Extension Fond du Lac County

Avoiding Financial Disasters---Planning Ahead to Management Feed Emergencies by Kevin Jarek, Crops, Soils, and Horticulture Agent, UW-Madison Extension Outagamie County

A three-person panel entitled Developing Strategies to Mitigate Forage Catastrophes will be comprised of Jamie Patton, Senior Outreach Specialist, UW Nutrient and Pest Management, Mike Kuffel, Agronomist—CCA, Country Visions Cooperative, Plymouth, and Kevin Jarek, Crops, Soils, and Horticulture Agent, UW-Madison Extension Outagamie County.

Early bird registration of $25.00 per person is due by February 21st. The registration fee increases to $35.00 per person after February 21st. Registration includes refreshments, lunch, and materials. Please contact one of the sponsoring Extension Agents/Educators below for a flyer with the registration information. Flyers are also available at https://manitowoc.extension.wisc.edu/agriculture/agricultural-events-calendar/

The goal of these meetings is to work together to support Eastern Wisconsin’s dairy industry during these continuing difficult times. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the following Extension Agents/Educators.

Scott Gunderson

Agriculture Agent | Manitowoc County

scott.gunderson@wisc.edu

920.683.4715

Kevin Jarek

Crops & Soils Agent | Outagamie County

kevin.jarek@wisc.edu

920.832.5121

Tina Kohlman

Dairy & Livestock Agent | Fond du Lac County

tina.kohlman@wisc.edu

920.929.3180

Amber O’Brien

Agriculture Educator | Calumet County

amber.obrien@wisc.edu

920.849.1450

Steph Plaster

Agriculture Educator | Washington & Ozaukee Counties

stephanie.plaster@wisc.edu

262.335.4477 (Washington) | 262.238.8288 (Ozaukee)