May 12, 2008

Purdue University Forage Day: hay today, money tomorrow

This year Purdue Forage Day, which is free and open to the public, will feature a wide variety of topics, which include:

* A presentation on the decision-making process of determining the proper amount of fertilizer to apply to your fields to keep yield high. 

* The chance to learn about the opportunity to double crop fields after the harvest of winter wheat grain. This is a potential way for farmers to be more efficient with the land resource.

* A discussion about the Indiana sales tax and when forage producers and consumers should expect its additional cost.

The Hodupps have been planting and harvesting alfalfa, grass mixes and hay for more than 20 years, with plans for the future.

"One of the reasons that we farm is to hopefully one day be able to pass on our family business to our kids," Ann Hodupp said.

Keith Johnson, Purdue forage specialist, said, "The strength of Purdue Forage Day is that we do not have it in the same location year after year. We rotate to different regions in the state, and we discuss best management practices and showcase new forage harvest technologies available to farmers."

More information is available online at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/forageday/index.html  or contact Johnson at (765) 494-4800. Purdue Extension and the Indiana Forage Council are sponsoring this event.

Writer: Ashley Bechman, (765) 494-8402, aabechma@purdue.edu

Source: Keith Johnson, (765) 494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu  

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

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