ISU Western Research & Demonstration Farm Holds Annual Meeting & Hosts Ag Program

   The 62nd Annual Meeting of the Western Iowa Experimental Farm Association will be held in the Zimmerman Conference Room at the farm near Castana on Friday, February 22, 2008. The annual meeting will begin at 9:30 AM followed at 10:30 AM with an ag program presented by ISU Extension ag field specialist in northwest Iowa.
   The program focus will be on Managing Risks with High Input Costs of Raising Crops and Livestock. Presentation/Round Table Discussion/Brainstorming will include the following:

• Long term decisions in short-term and changing markets
• Value of manure vs fertilizer
• Status report of related content of the new Farm Bill
• Commodity price Ð link to oil industry vs livestock industry
• Swine practices to reduce input costs
• Beef grazing and feedlot options to reduce input costs
• NW Iowa Pasture Dairies

Crop Update

• Optional crop pest inputs and practices

   Everyone is invited to enjoy lunch at the farm served at 12:30 PM. The confinement site manure applicator certification course will begin at 1:30 PM. Contact the Monona County Extension Office at 712-423-2175 for more information.