Regional hay school set for April 22 in Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Southwestern Missouri hay producers can learn how to improve their haymaking skills at a regional school in Mount Vernon on April 22.

The program is offered by University of Missouri Extension in Lawrence County in cooperation with FCS Financial, MFA Bulk Fertilizer Plant in Mount Vernon and Nixa Hardware & Seed Co.

This daylong noncredit course is specifically designed for livestock producers who already own hay equipment or have hay custom harvested on their land, said Tim Schnakenberg, an agronomy field specialist with MU Extension.

All aspects of hay and round bale silage production will be covered, Schnakenberg said.

“There is a lot at stake when making hay and many things to consider to make it worth the effort and to be profitable,” he said. “Attending a hay school is an important management tool to insure that you will get the most out of your land, time, fertilizer expense and hay equipment during the 2026 season.”

The program will focus on topics like economics of hay production, forage options, hay quality issues and testing, fertility management, round bale silage management, hay storage, feeding to keep losses low and nutritional needs of cattle.

This regional hay school is 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center at Mount Vernon.

Preregistration is required by April 20; space is limited. For more information, contact the Lawrence County MU Extension Center at 417-466-3102.