May 6, 2005
Silver anniversary Purdue Forage Day to be another sterling event
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue University field day celebrating its silver anniversary will focus attention on plant species that aren't worth a nickel.
The 25th annual Purdue Forage Day will devote two educational sessions to weed-related issues in hay production. Other topics will address crop evaluation and moisture testing equipment.
The field day takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST June 23 at K&K Farms, located just north of Logansport, Ind., near U.S. 35. Admission is free, with lunch available at a nominal charge.
One weed topic on the field day schedule examines a national program for certifying hay free of troublesome weeds, said Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist and a Forage Day coordinator.
Weed-free certification programs are common in western states, Johnson said. A similar program is on its way to Indiana, administered by the Indiana Crop Improvement Association.
"Certification has been mostly driven by the environmental concern of taking invasive species into areas of the country that do not have those weeds, such as national parks," Johnson said. "The concern is if one takes hay into a park with their horse for the purpose of trail riding, they could be bringing in these invasive species.
"Certification programs also certify straw as a mulch in the prevention of soil erosion for such things as roadside projects, construction sites for home lots, etcetera."
The North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) developed the national certification program. NAWMA lists 54 invasive weeds inspectors check hay for, including some found in Indiana - Canada thistle, Johnsongrass, quackgrass and horsenettle, among others.
Hay certified weed-free should command premium prices, Johnson said.
A second weed-specific session on the Forage Day program will provide an update on Roundup Ready alfalfa and how the glyphosate-tolerant forage could benefit hay growers.
The remaining educational talks delve into other forage production issues.
"One session will look at evaluation of stand in an alfalfa field," Johnson said. "Our research justifies keeping a stand longer than some other states in the region might suggest. We'll discuss why we believe this. We also are going to look at what makes a high-quality pasture, issues related to pasture condition and why they might occur, and how to make the condition of a pasture that's not so good better."
Educational sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon. A noon lunch features an interview with Kevin "Sam" Snyder of K&K Farms. From 1:15-4 p.m. hay equipment manufacturers will demonstrate their machinery in harvesting demonstrations.
In addition, farmers are invited to enter the annual hay quality contest. Participants must bring an unbroken bale of grass, legume or mixed forage. Winners in the three divisions will receive a certificate and forage-related products.
Additional information about Purdue Forage Day is available at county offices of Purdue Extension; by logging onto the event Web site or by contacting Johnson at (765) 494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu.
Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu
Source: Keith Johnson, (765) 494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Related Web site:
Purdue Forage Information
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