Explore How Starting at the Soil Can Strengthen Production at Dudley Smith Farm Field Day

 By Jenna Braasch

Soil health and quality play a significant role in the nutritional value of pastures and cover crops, determining grazing strategies and sustainability. Attending the University of Illinois Extension Dudley Smith Farm Field Day this summer will help producers break down soil components impacting quality, explore research findings, and leave with options to employ better soil health changes in their cattle, pasture, and farming operations.

Dudley Smith Farm is where tradition drives sustainable agriculture practice into the future through hands-on research opportunities. Attendees can look forward to hearing industry updates and application examples on-site at the upcoming field day beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, at the research center at 2200 E. 600 North Rd., off Route 29 between Taylorville and Pana in Christian County. A free lunch is provided.

Field day presentation topics include:

•    Explore management programs to reduce N and P runoff in cropping plans.
•    Discover cover crops in livestock and cropping programs.
•    Updates on P and K recommendations for field crops in Illinois.
•    Look at the history of soil testing results for Illinois.
•    Transition from a family farm to a farm-to-plate operation.
•    Explore grazing strategies for beef producers. 
•    Discuss related crop sciences research findings from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

There is also the opportunity for a farm tour of field cropping systems and the beef paddocks to conclude the day. There is no cost to attend the field day. Advance registration by June 17 is required to receive lunch. Check out the full agenda, speakers, and registration at go.illinois.edu/DSFFieldDay24.