Hay school set for April 5 at MU FSRC, Linneus, Mo.

LINNEUS, Mo. – “Hay That Pays” is a one-day school for livestock and horse owners, April 5 at the University of Missouri Forage Systems Research Center (FSRC) in Linn County.

Two MU Extension regional specialists teamed up to plan the school that runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a Saturday. They are Valerie Tate, agronomist, Linneus, and Gentrie Shafer, livestock specialist, Milan.

“Producers will learn if making their own hay, or balage, is economical on their farms,” Tate says. Options include owning hay equipment or hiring custom harvesting. Emphasis is on forages grown in the region.

The school includes not just how to make quality hay, but also how to feed it to livestock. That includes ensuring that hay meets nutritional needs of animals. Supplements will be discussed.

A key will be learning to read hay-test reports.

Dave Davis, superintendent of MU FSRC, will tell about hay and balage management. That includes making good bales and cutting losses in storage.

Joe Koenen, MU Extension ag business specialist, Unionville, will talk economics of stored forages. The question will be: Is hay economical on my farm?

The lessons include costs of fertilizing hay fields. They will tell basics of haymaking: how to cut, rake, ted and bale or bag.

Sponsors are the soil and water conservation districts of Linn and Sullivan counties. They provide lunch. Hay equipment will be on display and demonstrated. Dealer staff will discuss their tools and show points to consider.

For lunch count, planners ask for sign-up by April 1 to assure enough coffee, donuts and food. To register, contact Shafer at [email protected] or 660-265-4541. Full details and sign-up are on the Sullivan County MU Extension website at http://extension.missouri.edu/sullivan/agriculture.aspx.

While advance sign-up is urged, early arrivals won’t be turned away, Shafer says.

MU FSRC, of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, is between Brookfield and Linneus at 21262 Genoa Road. It is reached off State Road FF from Highway 36, or off State Road P from Highway 5 at Linneus.