Johne’s disease meetings
March 9, 10, 15 and 24, Ohio
Ohio State University (OSU) Extension will host a series of meetings to discuss symptoms, prevention, testing and regulations surrounding Johne’s disease. Speakers will include representatives from OSU Extension, Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and ODA’s Cattle Health Advisory Committee. For more information and specific meeting times and locations, call Bill Shulaw at (614) 292-7570.

Risk management workshops
March 22, 25, 26, 29 and April 5, Kansas
Kansas State University (K-State) will host several one-day workshops throughout the state to help farm families improve risk management, decision-making and communication skills. Focus groups have helped workshop organizers identify needs and plan sessions, offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The project, funded by the Risk Management Agency, reflects combined efforts of K-State and the Kansas Rural Center. The workshops are free, and a lunch will be served. For registration information or workshop locations, contact the Kansas Rural Family Helpline toll free at 1-866-327-6578 or farmstaff@ksu.edu.

Farmland Security: Ensuring Our Future
April 4-8, Salt Lake City, Utah
Farmland Security: Ensuring Our Future will be the theme of the 2004 annual meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA). The meeting will be at the Marriott City Center Hotel and will include producers, veterinarians, business executives, scientists, regulatory officials and other stakeholders in the animal food and fiber industry. For more information visit www.animalagriculture.org or call (270) 782-9798.

ID/Info Expo 2004
May 18-20, Chicago, Ill.
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will host ID/Info Expo 2004, a convention and trade show similar to the 2002 event. The convention will focus on implementation of a national animal identification (ID) system, including premises ID, group ID, ID governance, security and confidentiality issues, and ID distribution and methods. The trade show will showcase animal ID manufacturers and information systems service providers. For more information visit www.animalagriculture.org.

Southeastern Expo
June 18-19, Greeneville, Tenn.
Tennessee’s Greene County Partnership and the University of Tennessee (UT) Institute of Agriculture will host the two-day event at the Greene County Fairgrounds and the UT Agricultural Experiment Station in Greeneville. The expo will include educational sessions focused on the latest agricultural business and management practices. A variety of displays, from animals to antique tractors, will be available, and traditional and modern production techniques will be demonstrated. Children can visit a discovery exhibit, and admission is free. For more information visit www.southeasternexpo.org or contact Lori Collins at (423) 638-4111 or gcp@xtn.net.