Practical solutions for today’s challenges and a vision for tomorrow’s opportunities are the themes for the 2008 U of M Extension Forage Days. The Midwest Forage Association (MFA) and University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension Forage Team are partnering to bring you this program on February 12th at the Detroit Lakes Holiday Inn, February 13th at Joseph’s in Avon, and February 15th at the UCR Heintz Center in Rochester.

Dr. Geoff Brink of the US Dairy Forage Research Center in Madison, WI, and Dr. Mike Murphy of the UMN College of Veterinary Medicine are this year’s featured speakers. Dr. Brink, a UMN graduate, will share his latest research on alfalfa harvest timing effects on yield and quality trade-offs, and grass forage quality, species selection, and management. Dr. Murphy will discuss the importance of molds and mycotoxins in stored forage, a common problem with wet harvest conditions.

Dr. Paul Peterson, UMN State Extension Specialist, will present his latest research on alfalfa-grass mixtures, offering guidelines for grass species selection for mixtures with alfalfa.

Dr. Craig Sheaffer, UMN Forage Agronomist, will present his latest research on forage establishment innovations at Rochester on February 15, including an update on Roundup Ready Alfalfa. Dr. Dwain Meyer, North Dakota State Univ. Forage Agronomist, will present his latest work on fall-harvest and fertilizer management of alfalfa at Detroit Lakes on February 12. Dr. Dan Kaiser, UMN’s new Soil Fertility Extension Specialist, will team with Jim Salfer, Regional Dairy Extension Educator, to discuss forage nutrient management relationships with dairy cow feeding at Avon on February 13.

Regional Crops Extension Educators Lisa Behnken and Doug Holen will team with Local Extension Educators Vince Crary, Dan Martens, and Will Yliniemi to provide updates on local and regional forage projects. Jenna Larson, MFA’s Local Council Director, will provide an update on MFA’s productive year.

The UMN Extension Forage Team and MFA are grateful to the nine sponsors who are providing critical financial support for 2008 MN Forage Days. Those sponsors include DHIA Laboratories, BASF, Cargill, Croplan Genetics, Dairyland Seeds, Kemin AgriFoods North America, Monsanto, NK Brand Alfalfa, and Pioneer Hi-Bred International. Representatives of these industry partners will be at MN Forage Days.

Each meeting opens with registration at 9:30 am, presentations starting promptly at 10:00 am, lunch (included in registration fee) at noon, and adjournment at 3:00 pm. Proceedings, several publications, and other handouts will be provided as well.

Pre-registration is encouraged and appreciated, and will be rewarded with a discount. Registration for 2008 MFA members is $15 in advance, or $20 on-site. Non-MFA-members pay $25 in advance or $30 on-site. Participants are also encouraged to join MFA. Please pre-register with MFA staff at 651-484-3888 or by email.

More information, including detailed brochures and registration forms, visit www.extension.umn.edu/forages.

For location specific questions, contact Doug Holen at 218-998-5787 (Detroit Lakes), Dan Martens at 800-964-4929 (Avon) and Lisa Behnken at 888-241-4536 (Rochester). Author: Paul Peterson, PhD, U of M Extension.

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