FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URBANA, Ill. – The annual Orr Beef Research Center Field Day will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. The meeting will be held at the John Wood Agricultural Education Center located on State Highway 104. Speakers from the University of Illinois will lead discussions that will address research and situations producers are facing on-farm. A meal will be provided to those who take part in the discussions and tour.
The program includes Dan Shike, University of Illinois professor and cow/calf researcher, and graduate research assistants who will update attendees on the newest research at the U of I. Topics will include the influence of dried distillers grains with solubles on bull development and reproductive traits, the impacts of bypass protein in growing calf diets, and outcomes of extended drylot housing of beef cows at the Orr Research Center.
Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist, will discuss using cover crops for cattle feed and their value as forage. “Producers that have cover crops on prevent plant acres will find this discussion valuable,” he says.
Jill Johnson, executive vice president of the Illinois Beef Association, will give an update on current legislation impacting beef producers and address policy efforts the association is focused on at the state and national level.
A tour of the Orr Center, which is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois, will follow the presentations. The tour will specifically address facility designs that help reduce hay loss, improve labor management, and limit issues with mud.
“This field day will equip producers with the newest research findings, applicable management strategies, and practical knowledge to help increase profits in their cattle operation,” Meteer says. “Speakers will be glad to address any producer questions during the evening.”
For more information, one may go to our Facebook page, email Travis Meeter, or call Meeter at 217-236-4961.
Contact: Travis Meteer
Orr Beef Research Center
37737 Perry Fishhook Road
Baylis, Illinois 62314
(217)-430-7030