January 28, 2005

Forage meeting examines survivability of CAFOs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) managers are under increasing pressure to improve their environmental stewardship, animal welfare standards and labor practices. That pressure could be reduced if livestock spent more time in the pasture, according to a noted grazing expert.

David Zartman, a professor in Ohio State University's Department of Animal Sciences, will discuss CAFOs and the challenges the livestock operations face during the keynote address of the Indiana Forage Council's annual meeting.

The meeting begins at 4 p.m. (EST) Feb. 28 in the Evergreen Room of The Pines Restaurant, located on U.S. 31 just east of Seymour, Ind. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by Zartman's presentation.

"Dr. Zartman is going to speak on the issue of concentrated animal feeding operations as compared to the potential of using more of our landscape for the purpose of raising livestock products via grazing," said Keith Johnson, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service forage specialist and forage council secretary-treasurer.

"He was right on many years ago with the concept that more dairies would look to grazing as an opportunity, particularly those that are of smaller animal numbers. His prediction, based on his research findings and the setting at the time, has proven to be true."

Zartman fears CAFOs are a generation away from disappearing in the United States and that managers must shift their focus or risk losing their livelihood. Grazing presents one solution, he said.

"Where the CAFOs go, so do the feed grains," Zartman said. "The consumers in the United States will be left to choose imported foreign foods or pay more generously for domestic foods considered to have higher value. There lies the opportunity for U.S. livestock and poultry producers. With management-intensive grazing and other natural or organic methods, they can produce foods of higher value to serve the discriminating food buyers of the future."

In addition to Zartman's address, the annual meeting will include discussions about future forage council activities and an election of officers. The council is a sponsor of the annual Purdue Forage Day, which takes place on June 23 near Logansport, Ind.

Members and nonmembers can attend the meeting. Attendance at the 4 p.m. business meeting is not mandatory.

Cost is $15 per person. Preregistration is required by Feb. 24. To preregister, contact Johnson at (765) 494-4773, johnsonk@purdue.edu.

The Indiana Forage Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education for profitable forage production and utilization. About 150 forage producers, agribusiness people, educators and others are members.

For more information about the annual meeting and joining the council, visit the organization's Web.

Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Sources: Keith Johnson, (765) 494-4773, johnsonk@purdue.edu

David Zartman, (614) 292-1387, zartman.3@osu.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Related Web site:
Purdue Forage Information

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