MU Wurdack Center Field Day, Oct. 6, Focuses on Drought

The annual Wurdack Extension and Education Center Producer Field Day on Oct. 6 will focus on alternative forages for drought recovery.

“Given the drought this year, forage resilience is top of mind for many producers,” says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Gatlin Bunton, who serves as director of the center.

The free event begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends with a noon lunch. MU Extension specialists will discuss native warm-season grasses, annual forages, cattle management during low forage production, the economics of drought management and alternative winter feeding strategies, including standing grain sorghum.

MU Extension specialist Harley Naumann will tell how to use winter annual forages in cool-season pastures. Bunton will tell how to incorporate native warm-season grasses into pastures. Rusty Lee will give insights on reasons to winter graze grain sorghum.

Ag business specialist Rachel Hopkins and livestock specialist Eric Meusch will discuss the economics of keeping cattle through drought and how to manage herds through forage shortages.

John Travlos will give an overview of using information from MU’s weather stations across the state. Feral hog outreach educator Kevin Crider will tell how MU Extension and partners are working to eliminate feral hog populations in southern Missouri.

First Community National Bank of Steelville and Missouri Farm Bureau help to sponsor the event.

The MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center is at 164 Bales Road, Cook Station. The event is free but registration is required. For registration and directions, go to https://extension.missouri.edu/events/wurdack-producer-field-day.