The annual Orr Beef Research Center Field Day will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The meeting will be held at the new Ag Sciences Complex and Fred Bradshaw Learning Center at the John Wood Community College Ag Center, located west of Perry, IL. Speakers from University of Illinois will lead discussions addressing research, current topics, and situations producers are facing on-farm.
There will be a pre-meeting tour option for attendees who are interested in seeing the cattle and facilities at the Orr Beef Research farm. The tour will start at 3 p.m. Cattle will be on display, and the calving barn, winter pens, windbreaks, feed storage, and fence-line hay feeders will be included.
The program includes Dr. Dan Shike and Dr. Tiago Bresolin, professors at the University of Illinois, who will update attendees on the latest research at U. of I. Topics include weaning strategies, digital phenotyping, and using cameras for weight measurement and cow size.
Kaitlyn Dozler-German, Virtual Fence Program Manager, University of Missouri, will give a presentation on virtual fence. She will overview current virtual fence products available and outline the capabilities of virtual fence. She will discuss experiences with virtual fence and her interaction with producers using this technology.
Dr. Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois Beef Specialist, will talk about managing increasing tick pressures and give an update on the Asian longhorned tick that was recently discovered in Illinois. Travis Meteer will moderate a panel discussion including university staff and cattle producers. Discussion topics will include using technology on your farm, tips to remain profitable, and a chance for attendees to ask their own questions to experts.
Those wanting to participate must RSVP. The pre-tour will be a mix of outdoor and under roof, so dress appropriately. The talks will be held indoors in a friendly climate, no matter the weather.
For more information or special accommodations, contact Travis Meteer at wmeteer2@illinois.edu.