The Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council targeted these impacts during the council’s 2010 fall conference, Forages – Weather or Not, Friday, Oct. 29.
Click here or on the image at right to go to the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council video website.
John Lewis, National Weather Service senior meteorologist, talked about the current dry weather pattern relative to past drought years and the importance of Arctic Oscillation in predicting weather patterns.
The keynote speaker, Dr. John Blanton, director of ag research at the Samuel Noble Roberts Foundation, discussed the development of the biofuel industry and the potential biofuel market for forages.
Dr. Shane Gadberry, beef nutritionist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, discussed strategies for feeding cattle when forage is in short supply. Gadberry talked about how to determine hay and forage quality and which feeds should be used to stretch short hay and pasture supplies.
To help producers find assistance for improving forage systems, Dr. Tom Troxel, animal science association department head with the UA Division of Agriculture, and Dr. Ron Morrow, NRCS grazing lands specialist, talked about educational opportunities and new cost-share programsavailable for forage producers.
Matt Flynt, Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council president, presented on how he manages forages during the current drought. Finally, a panel of producers discussed the methods they use for forages year-round. The conference was attended by 100 producers. FG
—John Jennings, forage professor, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
