GALENA, Mo. — Southwest Missouri hay producers will have two opportunities to attend regional schools during April to learn how to improve their hay making skills.
The first hay school will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 14 at the Fair Grove Lions Club, 142 S. Orchard Blvd., Fair Grove.
The second one will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Monday, April 23 and continue from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Tuesday at the Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon.
These six-hour non-credit courses are specifically designed for livestock and horse producers who already own hay equipment or have hay custom harvested on their land. All aspects of hay and wrapped balage production will be covered.
“There is a lot at stake when making hay and many things to consider to make it worth the effort and to be profitable,” said Tim Schnakenberg, an agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension who is coordinating the Mt. Vernon School.
The programs will focus on topics like economics of hay production, forage options, hay quality issues and testing, fertility management, wrapped balage management, hay storage, feeding to keep losses low, and nutritional needs of cows and horses.
“Attending a hay school is an important management tool to insure that you are getting the most out of you land, time, and hay equipment,” says Brie Menjoulet, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension who is coordinating the Fair Grove School.
There is a fee to attend either of these regional hay schools.
The program registration and fee (lunch will be served) for school in Fair Grove is due by Wednesday, April 11. For more information, or to register, visit the Greene County Extension, at 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, Mo., call the center at 417-881-8909 or access the event brochure and registration form online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.
Preregistration for Mt. Vernon is required by April 18. Contact the Lawrence County Extension Center at 417-466-3102 to preregister or download a registration brochure at http://extension.missouri.edu/lawrence.
