Grassland Meeting at Lake Ozark, Nov. 7-8, will give forage advice, economic outlook

At the annual meeting of the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council, Scott Brown, MU FAPRI economist, will tell beef producers the bright outlook for those who convert low-cost grass into high-priced beef.

“Record beef prices are coming in the years ahead, according the mid-year baseline,” Brown said. The outlook was issued by the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Institute (MU FAPRI) in late August.

The forage producers will meet Nov. 7-8 at Port Arrowhead, Lake Ozark, Mo.

Brown will be followed by Rick Rasby, beef specialist from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His topic: “The Role of Forages in the Changing Beef Industry.”

At the meeting, MFGC will celebrate 25 years of promoting better grazing practices in the state. At the evening awards banquet, Nov. 7, Fred Martz, MU professor emeritus, will tell the group's history.

Martz, former superintendent of the MU Forage Systems Research Center, Linneus, Mo., was an organizer of the group. He is writing its history.

Much of the two-day program will aim to improve forage production livestock grazing. Specialists from land-grant universities and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service will share forage growing tips.

From Auburn University, Don Ball will give new information on the value of legumes in grass pastures.

From the NRCS in Springfield, Mark Green will tell of “Managing What You Have, before Buying that Silver Bullet.”

From the NRCS in Gallatin, Mo., Doug Peters will talk on soil quality and health.

Joe Bouton of the Noble Foundation, Ardmore Okla., will describe changing forages and will take a look ahead 25 years. Bouton has developed 17 cultivars to the commercial stage. That includes Max Q fescue, Alfagraze and two white clovers.

From the University of Missouri, Justin Sexten, Extension beef nutritionist, will describe the added gains, and profits, from delayed weaning of fall-born steers. The work was done at the MU FSRC.

From the Extension Center, Steelville, Mo., Will McClain will work through the math to answer “Can I Afford to Fertilize?”

Tim Schnakenberg, MU agronomy specialist, Galena, Mo., will tell about nutrient recycling on the farm.

Wesley Tucker, MU farm business specialist, Bolivar, Mo., will compare the costs of leasing land versus ownership.

A trade show will be open throughout the convention.  Full registration fee is $95 for members plus $45 for spouse. Non members pay another $15. Partial enrollments are offered.

Astute price watchers will see that it pays to become a member, said Joetta Roberts, who handles the business for the organization. To register, call Roberts weekday mornings at 573-499-0886.

On-site registration starts at 10 a.m., Nov. 7. Talks begin at 10:45 a.m. The meeting adjourns 3 p.m. Nov. 8.  The meeting site is at the south end of the Business Route Highway 54 at Bagnall Dam.