Submitted by Christopher Petty
Southwind Extension District farmers and ranchers have learning opportunities available this winter.
Southwind Extension District Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management, Christopher Petty, will be offering several programs of interest to farmers and ranchers in and around Bourbon, Allen and Neosho Counties during the upcoming winter months.
On February 13, beginning at 6 p.m. the Southwind and Wildcat Extension Districts will host a Winter Ranch Management Series meeting at the community building in Helper, Kan. Topics may include heifer selection, fall burning pastures for weed control, and bud box animal handling systems. Cost to attend will be $10 payable at the door.
On March 3, beginning at 3 p.m., the new K-State Research and Extension Sheep Specialist, Dr. Allison Crane, will be at the 4-H building in Fort Scott to meet with area sheep producers. She will discuss what Kansas State University offers by way of services to sheep producers. This program will be free to the public.
On April 4, the Southwind District will host a fescue meeting. We will discuss fescue endophytes, fertilization and other management considerations. This will be an evening program with the location to be determined and will feature Southeast Area Agronomist Doug Shoup, among others.
Additional tentatively scheduled programs include a January program featuring Kansas State University Poultry Specialist, Dr. Scott Beyer. Dr. Beyer will explain what it would look like to be a contract poultry grower, should a large poultry processing facility move into Kansas.
The longstanding coffee series meetings may also continue this winter. Come enjoy a free coffee, tea or pop, and learn about current ideas and happenings in the cattle industry. This brief, informal gathering is tentatively scheduled to take place this winter at the café located in the Southeast Kansas Stockyard in Gas, Kan.
These programs are in various stages of planning. To keep up to date with the most current details of these programs including the dates, times, locations and fees, check out the livestock link on the Southwind District website located at http://www.southwind.k-state.edu.