Summer in Michigan can be unpredictable. Will there be sunshine? Rain? Ominous clouds that scare the bejeebers out of farmers, but never really produce much moisture? It’s hard to say.
But there is one thing you can count on this summer—there will be plenty of opportunity to learn more about environmental issues as they relate to animal agriculture. Here’s a look at some great events you may want to put in your schedule.
Profitable Environmental Options for Livestock Producers. July 21.
MSU Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Center.
3232 Bennett Road, Lansing, Mich.
MSU Extension educators and specialists will host a wide array of workshops and tours during this special Ag Expo event. Keeping silage leachate in check, choosing the best hay feeder, constructing stream crossings to reduce runoff, keeping manure in the root zone and out of water, slurry seeding pastures and moving animals without stressing them out will be covered in special demonstrations held at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. And experts will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to chat about other important issues, too, leaving you plenty of time to take in Ag Expo on the same day!
Ag Expo. July 21-23.
Farm Lane and Mt. Hope, East Lansing, Mich.
Michigan State University is celebrating their 30th year as host of the state’s largest and longest-running outdoor farm show. This year’s show features more educational exhibits than ever, a chance to test-drive equipment, free well water testing, and 35 acres of exhibits featuring the university’s research and Extension. Add that to plenty of equipment, seed and input dealers, agencies and services, and you’ve got one heck of an event. The show opens at 9 a.m. daily.
Forage Demonstration Day. July 25.
Lake City Experiment Station,
5401 W. Jennings Road, Lake City, Mich.
What goes into the animal has a big bearing on what comes out. Learn about high quality forages and their role in animal agriculture and the environment at this annual event. Call 231-839-4608 for more information.
Equine Manure Management and Compost Production Workshop.
Aug. 8. MSU Bioeconomy Institute. Aug. 29. Kent County Extension Office
242 Howard Ave., Holland, Mich. 775 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Mich.
If you have horses, chances are you have some challenges with manure handling issues. This workshop will help you learn how to manage and compost manure to cut down on odor and fly issues and maintain the peace with your neighbors. Download the registration brochure here, or call 616-846-8250 for more information.
Grand Opening of the MSU Pasture Dairy. August 19.
Kellogg Biological Station (KBS),
10461 N. 40th Street, Hickory Corners, Mich.
The new pasture dairy at KBS is a unique facility for conducting basic applied research. Join members of the KBS team for tours from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and you’ll see the robotic milking system and pasture irrigation in action, learn about managing a pasture-based herd, and talk with MSU faculty, staff, and students about planned and ongoing research and education activities at the dairy. Download the full schedule here.
Manure Application Field Day. August 26.
Corner of Marshall and McNeil Roads, St. Johns, Mich.
Last summer, nearly 80 producers from mid-Michigan gathered in St. Johns to watch MSU Extension staff members and farmers apply liquid swine manure, sand-laden dairy manure and pelletized poultry litter with several types of application equipment and incorporation methods. The goal was to improve soil quality with various manure types. From 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 26, farmers will have a chance to see what the crops look like a year after the various manure applications. Call 989-224-5240 for more information.