Cattle conference slated for February in Northeast Arkansas
by January 23, 2018 5:20 pm 239 views
Four Arkansas counties will host a conference Feb. 27 at the Salem High School to help farmers prepare their herds for the upcoming spring season.
The North Central Arkansas Beef and Forage Conference is a combined effort between Fulton, Sharp, Izard and Independence counties’ Cooperative Extension Service offices. It will feature guest speakers discussing how to make operations smoother and increase profitability.
“Our goal with these conferences is to address the issues that frequently pop up in the spring for cattle producers,” Brad Runsick, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Fulton and Ozark County extension agent said. “We plan the conference based on our own observations, as agents, but also based on the feedback we get from folks when they call, come by, or when we’re out on their farm.”
The Division of Agriculture officials speaking at the event include Runsick, and fellow northcentral Arkansas county extension agents Nathan Reinhart of Independence County, Joe Moore of Sharp County and Michael Paskewitz of Izard County. The four will discuss spring weed management in pastures. Extension Entomologist Kelly Loftin will discuss beef cattle fly control and parasite management and Jeremy Powell, veterinarian and extension animal science professor, will speak about spring herd health.
Flint McCullough from the Farm Service Agency will speak about potential federal drought recovery funds available to farmers. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
“I think that any producer, regardless of size, will take away something beneficial from attending, whether they’ve got two cows or 200,” Runsick said.
Deadline to register is Feb. 21. Registration is $10 per person and includes a meal. To register, drop off or mail a check made out to the Cooperative Extension Service, along with the names of the attendees to your local county extension office.
All counties are welcome to attend. For more information, contact your local county extension office or visit the website.