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STOCKTON, Mo. – The Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield.
“The event will he headlined with an interview between Oklahoma State University agricultural economist Dr. Derrel Peel and Missouri’s own Tyne Morgan of ‘U.S. Farm Report,’” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Peel holds the Charles Breedlove Professorship of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University and has served as an extension livestock marketing specialist for over 35 years. He is a nationally recognized livestock economist with an extension program focused on livestock market situation, outlook and marketing/risk management education for producers. Peel conducts research in all areas of livestock production economics and marketing for all beef cattle production sectors. Furthermore, he researches meat demand and meat supply chain issues and beef product marketing. He also has an interest in international cattle and beef trade with expertise in Mexican cattle and beef industry. Davis says Peel should provide an entertaining interview that will be led by Missouri’s own Tyne Morgan, who is the first female host of “U.S. Farm Report” and currently resides in rural Missouri with her husband and two daughters, where she has a passion for helping support her local community.
The conference luncheon will also feature a presentation by Peter Ballerstedt titled “The Roots of Humanity’s Future.” Ballerstedt has built a distinguished career in the forage industry, serving as a forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 to1992 and working in the forage seed sector since 2011. He is an advocate for the significance of ruminant animal agriculture within food systems and emphasizes the vital contribution of animal-sourced foods to human nutrition. Through Grass Based Health, Ballerstedt works to foster collaboration among producers, consumers and researchers across diverse scientific fields. He has delivered presentations both nationally and internationally, many of which are available on YouTube.
“For further education, conference participants can attend several breakout sessions,” says Davis. Topics include rebuilding weakened forage stands, virtual fencing for regenerative grazing, energy supplementation of cattle on pasture, leasing, using stockers in cow-calf operations, grazing crabgrass, reproductive management insights for calving season decisions, what hay really costs, drones in agriculture, Theleria orientalis Ikeda (an emerging cattle disease in Missouri) and weed management considerations for pastures and hayfields.
“This conference also provides educational sessions specific to sheep and goat producers,” says Davis. These topics include parasite control, sheep and goats consumer preferences, rotational grazing and predator signs and control measures.
“A trade show is held in conjunction with the conference,” says Davis. Agricultural businesses and organizations will have exhibits and representatives available to discuss their products and services. If interested in becoming an exhibitor or sponsor, contact Jody Wade at the Webster County Soil and Water Conservation District office at 417-468-4176, ext. 3, or jody.wade@swcd.mo.gov.
Conference check-in begins at 8 a.m., with sessions running from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. A banquet luncheon is included with the registration. The cost is $55 per person if you register by Feb. 6 or $65 per person after Feb. 6 but by Feb. 13. No walk-in registration allowed. Details and registration. For questions or to pay over the phone by credit card, contact Stephanie Essary with Webster County SWCD at 417-468-4176, ext. 3.