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Grazing conference in Wilmington

By
John Grimes-
I find it hard to believe that not only have we started a new year but a new decade as well. If you take time to reflect on all of the changes that have taken place over the past decade, it is really pretty amazing. Here are a few to think about: Hillsboro lost its old high school, but gained a Wal-Mart; airline travel became more complicated thanks to 9/11; Ohio State won a college football national championship; the Bengals won their division twice; terms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are commonly used (at least with the younger generation!); and my oldest daughter is now in college.
    It makes you wonder about the changes in store for us during the next 10 years.
Heart of America
Grazing Conference                                                                 
    Grassland farmers across the Midwest looking for the latest production information for their livestock have the opportunity to attend the annual Heart of America Grazing Conference in January. The conference will be held Jan. 20-21 at the Roberts Centre, Exit 50 on I-71 and U.S. Route 68, 123 Gano Road, in Wilmington. Each year, the meeting rotates among five states, including Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.
    Registration by Jan. 13 is $65, which covers all program materials and meals. Attendees may also attend one day: $25 for Jan. 20 or $45 for Jan. 21. After Jan. 13, prices are $75 for total registration, $35 Jan. 20 and $55 Jan. 21. Ohio Forage and Grassland Council members receive a $5 discount on full registration or the Jan. 21 registration fee.
    Ohio State University Extension specialists Steve Loerch and Dave Barker will be discussing forage and grazing management.
    In addition, the keynote presentation at the opening banquet on Jan. 20 will be “International Grazing.”
    Speaker Ben Bartlett, a Michigan State University Extension educator, has led several groups on international trips to observe grazing operations.
    The presentations on the second day will feature Justin Sexten, University of Missouri Extension beef specialist, who will discuss the eight steps to stretching your pasture; Howard Straub, a pasture-based dairy farmer from Michigan, who will be sharing the economics of his grazing operation; and Ben Bartlett, who will be presenting on Low Stress Livestock Handling.
    In addition to presentations, there will be breakout sessions focusing on beef, sheep, goat, and dairy and advanced grazing management.
    Speakers include Katherine Harrison of Blystone Farms, who will discuss direct marketing; Jake Wolfinger, Ohio Young Cattleman of the Year, who will be discussing his use of oats as a late summer and fall forage crop; and Curt Cline, a sheep producer whose farm was selected for the 2008 American Sheep Industry Environmental Stewardship.
    There will also be a panel discussion of experienced grazing dairy farmers. For more information, log on to http://ohioforages.blogspot.com.
Ohio Beef Expo
deadlines approach                                                                              
     As you break out your new 2010 calendar and begin to add important dates, be sure to mark March 19-21 for the Ohio Beef Expo to be held at the Ohio Expositions Center in Columbus, Ohio. Plans for the 2010 Expo are well under way and this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the best ever with breed sales, shows and one of the Midwest’s largest and most competitive junior shows.
    The Expo will once again include a three-day industry trade show. Last year’s trade show which encompassed over 22,000 square feet of indoor space was a full house.
    If you are interested in promoting your cattle industry related product with a display in the 2010 event, contact Jamie King <mailto:jking@ohiobeef.org&gt;  at (614) 873-6736 as soon as possible.
    Consignments are now being accepted for the Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Shorthorn and Simmental sales. For complete details about making a consignment or to request a catalog for one of these sales, log on to www.ohiobeefexpo.com.
    The ever-popular genetic pathway will once again be a feature of the main hallway and upper concourse of the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center. To reserve display space for your bull prospects or donor cows contact the OCA office at (614) 873-6736. A limited number of spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a premier opportunity to reach commercial, seedstock and club calf producers all in one location.
    The Ohio Beef Expo will again offer a lot of opportunities for youth participation and education throughout the weekend. Youth events include: judging contest, beef quality assurance session, showmanship and the junior heifer and market animal show.
    Over 25,000 visitors from 20 states and Canada routinely attend the Ohio Beef Expo.
    It is ranked as the ninth largest event hosted in central Ohio and is the premier location to meet Ohio’s cattle producers. Don’t miss it.
    For complete details on the 2010 Ohio Beef Expo, visit www.ohiobeefexpo.com.
    The Ohio Beef Expo is a function of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA). The OCA is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is the state’s spokesperson and issues manager for all segments of the beef cattle industry including cattle breeders, producers and feeders. It is the grass roots policy development organization for the beef business. Through the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, cattle producers work to create a positive business environment, while providing consumers with a safe and wholesome product.
Farmers Tax Guides
    A publication that is often requested this time of year is the IRS Publication 225, the Farmers Tax Guide. This publication explains how the federal tax laws apply to farming and can be helpful in preparing your 2009 returns.  This publication is available free of charge from the Extension office.
     John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]

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