July 2, 2002

Livestock Management To Be Highlighted at Carrington Field Day July 16

Use of annual forages, drylot management of cows and research on the protein requirements for bison will be highlights of the livestock tour at the annual field day, Tuesday, July 16, at the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center.

"This annual event gives us an opportunity to present our latest research to producers as well as address timely management concerns," says Karl Hoppe, NDSU livestock specialist at the center. "It also gives producers a chance to ask questions and suggest topics that need study." Following the livestock tour, speakers will be available for one-on-one discussions.

The field day opens at 9 a.m. with registration and coffee. Developments in beef and bison production and research will be highlighted during the livestock tour beginning at 9:30 a.m. Topics will include:

• The use of annual forages for livestock will be outlined by Steve Zwinger, forage specialist at the Carrington center.
• A review of the economics of beef cows will be conducted by Steve Metzger, Carrington farm management instructor.
• Drylot feeding options for cows under drought conditions will be discussed by Vern Anderson, animal scientist at the center. Anderson will also review a recent study that shows how bedding enhances feedlot performance on the northern plains.
• A study on feeding barley and peas to beef cattle will be reviewed by Anderson. Hoppe will discuss results from the Turtle Lake Calf Show feedout trial.
• Research on self-feeding steers to finishing weights will be discussed by Brian Kreft, research specialist at the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center near Streeter.
• Challenges and opportunities for financing feedlots will be discussed by Kristy Zutz, a graduate student in the NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics.
• Highlights of bison research in Canada will be presented by Larissa Helbig, a graduate student from Western Veterinary College, Saskatchewan.
• Research on the protein requirements for bison will be reviewed by Anderson.

The Carrington Research Extension Center is located 3.5 miles north of Carrington, on Highway 281. In addition to the livestock tour, crop management tours and other events will also be featured. Morning sessions will begin at 9 am while the afternoon sessions will begin at 1 p.m. A sponsored noon lunch will be served.

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Source: Karl Hoppe, (701) 652-2951, khoppe@ndsuext.nodak.edu 
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu