News Update

Industry Events
July 3, 2007

K-State ag conferences
July-August, Kansas

Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension is offering the following area and statewide agricultural conferences and field days to all interested persons. For more information about these events and other local and county events, check with your local Extension office.

• July 15-17 — Crop Diagnostic School, Manhattan, 785-532-6183
• July 22-23 — Kansas Ag Retailers Association Crop School, Manhattan, 785-532-6183
• Aug. 14-15 — Risk and Profit Conference, Manhattan, 785-532-1504

Purdue agribusiness conferences, seminars
July-Nov.

Purdue University will host several conferences and seminars aimed at those in agribusiness. Among the seminars are:

• July 10-11 — Precision Selling: Building Relationships with Large Farmers
• Oct. 22-26 — Agrimarketing
• Nov. 13-14 — National Conference for Agribusiness: “Re-Thinking Service Strategies: Innovations that Drive Profit.

For more information about these conferences and seminars, contact Purdue’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business at 765-494-4247 or agbusinessinfo@purdue.edu.

InfoAg 2007 Precision Farming Conference
July 10-12, Springfield, Ill.

The InfoAg 2007 international precision farming conference will include topics such as auto guidance, wireless technologies, high-tech scouting, and more. July 12 has been designated “Farmer Day” to benefit producers who are curious about adopting precision agriculture technology as well as growers who have been using it and benefiting for many years.

More than 100 presentations and demonstrations are planned. Visit www.infoag.org for more information.

Community field day, ag barbecue
July 11, Dickinson, N.D.

The 31st Annual Dickinson Research Extension Center (DREC) Community Field Day will be July 11 at the DREC grounds in Dickinson. Area farmers and ranchers will be given the opportunity to tour the center and witness its research projects. A gardening horticulture tour is also scheduled.

The Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee will host a barbecue, including barbecued beef and trimmings, at the conclusion of the tour. Farmers, ranchers, urban and rural customers and business people are invited to attend. For more information contact the DREC at 701-225-5115 or visit www.dickinsonchamber.org.

OSU Summer Workshops
July-October, Ohio

The Ohio State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Team will sponsor a series of tours and workshops throughout the summer.

A farm that makes its own biodiesel, cattle and poultry that thrive on grass, and sheep and goats that transform weeds into pasture will highlight the tours.

• July 26, Pasture Management and Reclaiming Land with Ruminants — Herman and Nancy Schul farm, 21458 Varner Rd., Guysville, 7-9 p.m., free, (740) 667-3336. Using sheep and goats to reclaim land overrun with brushy and invasive plants and turn it into productive pasture. Also: forest management, including crop tree management, forestry cost-share programs and chainsaw safety.

• Aug. 28, Soil Health and Quality Workshop in Wood County — Agricultural Incubator Foundation, 13737 Middleton Pike Rd. (state Route 582), Bowling Green, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $25 (includes lunch and books). For farm families, crop consultants, Extension educators and others. Hands-on activities to assess measure and improve the overall health and quality of farm soils. Call Alan Sundermeier at 419-354-9050 by Aug. 18 to register.

• Aug. 30, Organic Grain Research Field Day — West Badger Farm, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), 1518 Barnard Rd., Wooster, 1-4 p.m., free, 330-202-3528. Presented by scientists with OARDC’s Organic Food and Farming Education and Research program, now in its ninth year. Tour organic grain plots and compare different production methods.

• Sept. 27, Soil Health and Quality Workshop in Wayne County — Fisher Auditorium, OARDC, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $25 (includes lunch and books). See Aug. 28 details. Call Alan Sundermeier at 419-354-9050, by Sept. 17 to register.

• Oct. 10, Organic Livestock and On-farm Biodiesel Production — Mike and Dawn Roberts farm, 7203 Waynesburg Rd. NW, Waynesburg, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., free, 330-866-2132. A certified-organic, grass-based operation that milks Normande cattle using an all-forage diet in a managed grazing system, produces and direct-markets pasture-raised beef and poultry, and recently received a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant to develop an on-farm biodiesel system to refine used cooking oil and use it to power the farm’s equipment.

Visit http://sustainableag.osu.edu to download the schedule, along with the schedule of summer tours and workshops offered by Innovative Farmers of Ohio, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, the Ohio Grassland and Forage Council, and the Small Farm Institute.

For more information, contact Mike Hogan, Carroll County office, OSU Extension, 32 W. Main St., Carrollton, OH 44615; (330) 627-4310; hogan.1@osu.edu.

Michigan Angus Ass’n Field Day
July 28, Clarksville

Michigan Angus breeders are encouraged to attend the Michigan Angus Association Field Day on Saturday, July 28 hosted by Bonnie and Darwin Canfield at their farm in Clarksville, Mich.

Field day activities, which are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., include educational seminars, a judging contest for both youth and adults, and a door prize drawing. Events will conclude following a complimentary dinner at 6 p.m.

The educational seminars will feature several guest speakers discussing the following herd management topics: heat detection and synchronization programs, general beef cattle nutrition and methods for maximizing forage in beef cattle.

The field day, along with scheduled activities, is free and does not require a registration. For more information regarding the Michigan Angus Association Field Day, contact Bonnie Canfield, Michigan Angus Association treasurer, at 616-350-7415 or 616-868-6412; bondarhnb@aol.com; or 8002 Freeport Ave., Clarksville, Mich. 48815.

— Information provided by the American Angus Association.

K-State Beef Conference
Aug. 9-10, Manhattan, Kan.

The two-day conference will take place at Weber Hall at K-State’s Manhattan campus and will focus on adding value to calves. The event will include presentations aimed at increasing efficiency and profit on cattle operations. Nine presentations are scheduled for Thursday, followed by three more the following day.

The conference will begin with registration at 9 a.m., Thursday and end at 6 p.m. The conference will begin at 8 a.m., Friday and end at noon.

Lunch and dinner will be provided on the first day of the conference. Breaks will be provided both days. Registration fees are $150 per person and are due by Aug. 3.

For more information visit www.asi.ksu.edu/beefconference or call Larry Hollis at 785-532-1246. Call Linda Siebold at 785-532-1281 for questions regarding conference registration.

2007 Kansas Angus Tour
Aug. 10-11

Angus breeders and enthusiasts of all ages are invited to experience “Angus on the Santa Fe,” the 2007 Kansas Angus Tour, Aug. 10-11.

This year’s Kansas Angus Tour involves a mix of family fun and fellowship along with educational experiences. The two-day event highlights 10 Kansas Angus breeders and cattle operations, including tours of the following three ranches: Bohi Land and Cattle Co., Wellsville, Kan., Sankey’s 6N Ranch, Council Grove, Kan., and Clay White Ranch, Peabody, Kan. In addition, “Angus on the Santa Fe,” features guest speakers and several sponsor exhibits. An array of authentic cowboy experiences, including delicious meals and entertainment, will also contribute to an enjoyable event.

The 2007 tour begins with registration on Friday, Aug. 10, at Bohi Land and Cattle Co. In addition to a ranch tour, attendees can meet with the following featured Angus breeders serving as cattle display hosts: BAX Maternal Beef Genetics, Sund Farm, and May-Way Farms. Friday’s events also include guest speaker, Bill Bowman, American Angus Association vice president of information and data programs and director of performance programs. Bowman will discuss new heifer pregnancy (HP) expected progeny differences (EPDs). The evening concludes with a steak dinner, entertainment and youth activities.

Good food and entertainment begin Saturday’s events, as registrants enjoy a breakfast of biscuits and gravy at the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi, the Hays House Restaurant. Entertainment includes Josh Hoy’s Chuck Wagon Experience and Cowboy Coffee, cowboy balladeer and author Jim Hoy, and Christian horseman Rex Buchman.

Saturday ranch tours begin at Sankey’s 6N Ranch. In addition to a ranch tour, participants have the opportunity to experience more industry sponsor exhibits and visit the following herd gathering displays: R & L Angus, Hedgewood Prairie Angus, Vohs Angus Farm and Trademark Ranch.

Youth attendees have the exciting opportunity to partake in the “Lil Cowboy and Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo” featuring stick-horse barrel and pole bending races as well as a much anticipated straw bale calf roping competition.

“Angus on the Santa Fe” concludes with a third ranch tour of Clay White Ranch, sightseeing of a historic three-story stone barn, and lunch.

There is no registration cost for the Kansas Angus Tour; however, tour participants are responsible for their own lodging reservations and cost of lodging. Registrants are also responsible for transportation between tour stops.

Those interested in attending “Angus on the Santa Fe”, are encouraged to pre-register; pre-registration closes Aug. 1. You may register online at www.kansasangus.org. Registrations and additional event information may be obtained by contacting Anne Lampe, Kansas Angus Association secretary/manager at 5201 E Rd. 110 Scott City, KS 67871; 620-872-3915; or kansasangus@wbsnet.org.

Tour lodging headquarters are at the Cottage House Hotel and Motel in Council Grove, Kan. Call 1-800-727-7903 to make reservations. Attendees may also make reservations at the Comfort Inn, located in Ottawa, Kan., near Bohi Land & Cattle. Call the Comfort Inn at 785-242-9898 to make reservations.

— Information provided by the American Angus Association.

Missouri Angus Tour
Aug. 24-26

The Missouri Angus Association will host a tour of northeast Missouri, headquartered in Hannibal.

The tour, which includes meals and bus transportation, costs $75 per person and does not include hotel accommodations.

Quality Inn & Suites in Hannibal will serve as the host hotel. Rooms start at $76.95 or $86.95 for suites. Call 573-221-4001 to make reservations. Ask for the Missouri Angus block of rooms.

All tour entries should be sent to Kris Graupman, 4152 CR 230, Palmyra, MO 63641. Be sure to include the names of each tour participant as well as $75 for each person. Make checks payable to the Missouri Angus Tour.

For more information contact Graupman at 573-769-2956.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.