The Minnesota Forage and Grassland Council "did Minnesota proud" when it hosted almost 300 of the country’s top forage people from the producer, industry, and public sectors. The management and feeding of forages in Minnesota’s dairy industry was the focal point of the combined Annual Meeting of the American Forage and Grassland Council and the 10th Annual Minnesota Alfalfa and Forage Expo held in the Twin Cities, July 14-18, 2002.
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A tour of three of the top dairies in southeastern Minnesota was the highlight of Producer Day on Tuesday, July 16th. Mohn Dairy in Lakeville, Cedar Summit Dairy in New Prague, and Wolf Creek Dairy in Dundas each represented a different model for dairy production, and provided attendees a unique opportunity to see first hand the different approaches these family farms have taken toward the incorporation of high quality forages into their operations. Mohn Dairy is a conventional dairy with a 60-cow stall barn and 250 cropped acres; Cedar Summit Dairy is a pasture-based operation with 150 milk cows, with an on-farm bottling and direct marketing enterprise; and Wolf Creek Dairy is a 375-cow free-stall confinement dairy, milked three times a day, with crop production and manure handling contracted out.
A program offering both Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists credits was offered. Top scientists in the northern states that study nutrient management issues from both crop production and feeding perspectives presented a symposium on nutrient management in forage-ruminant systems. This symposium provided a comprehensive look at the important role that forages play in well-managed nutrient cycle in livestock (dairy) operations.
On July 17 & 18, equipment for harvesting and handling forages was showcased by industry representatives at the Alfalfa and Forage Expo at UMore Park in Rosemount. Representatives of the National Forage Testing Association provided a hands-on demonstration of proper hay bale sampling technique, a critical step in determining forage quality and balancing rations. There were many other demonstrations and educational presentations and exhibits provided by some of the top authorities representing all three sectors of MFGC.
Thanks to you, the members of MFGC, for supporting such efforts through your membership and attendance; all the exhibitors and sponsors, whose presence and financial support of these events allowed us to combine and deliver two of the top forage programs in the country; the Planning Committees that developed and delivered these major programs; and to the staff of UMore Park for hosting the 10th annual Forage Expo.
Mark Bechtold Competes in National Hay Show
Congratulations to Mark Bechtold from St. Cloud, who took 2nd place in the First Cutting Alfalfa, Established Stand category. "It was an accident," explains Mark. "We harvest all of our hay for haylage. If it gets too dry we bale it." Mark’s sample was from a mid-size square bale that was intended for haylage. "We also utilize wrapped bales, both round and mid-size squares. We work hard to get each crop of alfalfa harvested in 2˝-3 days." To accomplish this, they sometimes cut with three haybines. They usually lay the hay out in 8-10' wide swaths and use a rotary rake, even for chopping haylage. Mark explained that they purchase most of their dry hay needs. "We utilize 1-2 lbs of dry hay in our milk cow ration. Dry hay or wrapped hay is the only forage that heifers get, till they are a year old." Mark is a partner in a family corporation called Kipland Vale, Inc. "We are not hay experts," explained Mark. But if you had the opportunity to visit with Mark, you would quickly find that they work hard at forage quality, and are very good at it.
Henry Lund from South Dakota was awarded first place in the First Cutting Alfalfa, Established Stand category. In the Second and Later Cutting category, John Nowak from Kentucky took first place, and Henry Lund from South Dakota took second.
Dale Rengsdorf Competes in National Forage Spokesperson Contest
Minnesota’s Dale Rengsdorf won Honorable Mention in the AFGC Forage Spokesperson Contest. Dale and his wife, Beth, operate Rolling R Ranch, located near Pelican Rapids, MN. Their operation includes nearly 300 head of American Bison. Grazing is the mainstay of the Rolling R Ranch operation, utilizing both cool season and native grasses. "I like to undergraze my pastures in the summer. I do that to maintain the health of the native grasses." It also provides a great winter-feed source. "Buffalo like to go out and forage in the winter." Grain is supplemented during the breeding season to maintain high pregnancy rates in his cows. "Buffalo are very good utilizers of the forages that I have available to me." If you want more information about Rolling R Ranch’s operation, call Dale at (218) 532-7259. Jason Sandefur from Kentucky took 1st, and June Hertzler from Pennsylvania took 2nd.
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A Very Special Thanks to AFGC Conference Corporate Sponsors:
Thanks to ALL AFGC Conference & Forage Expo Sponsors:
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