2nd Annual Northern Piedmont Beef Conservation Field Day

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Somerset Plantation is owned by the Gingery family of Chevy Chase Maryland. Day to day operation of the farm is run by Henry and Kevin Powell. Somerset Plantation has 1600 acres, of which 1300 acres are open for crop and pasture use. The main enterprises are cattle and grain production. Approximately 60 percent of the animals that are fed on the farm are steers and the total holding capacity of the feedlots is 1,000 head. All of the feed is grown on the farm with the exception of poultry litter and by- product feeds. The crops grown consist of 400 acres of corn, 100 acres of soybeans, 100 acres of wheat, 100 acres of rye, 50 acres of barley, and the remainder is pasture, hay, and woodland.

8:00 a.m.	Registration
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions Steve Hopkins, Extension Agent, Animal Science Welcome to the Farm Kevin Powell, Livestock Manager
9:15 a.m.	Morning Program Field day participants will rotate to different tour stops with participants being able to choose 4 out of the 7 stops.
12:15 p.m.	Lunch (Compliments of Sponsors)
1:00 p.m.	Lunch Speaker Dr. David Kohl, Professor of Agriculture Economics at Virginia Tech, will deliver a presentation on the state of the agriculture economy, what farmers need to do to survive.
1:45 p.m.	Afternoon Program (attend one or the other) A live animal evaluation and ultra sound demonstration will be conducted by Bill McKinnon and Randall Updike. Feeder and Fat cattle will be used in the demonstration. A beef cattle nutritional management clinic will be conducted by Dr. David Price. Dr. Price will answer any questions one might have on cattle nutrition.
2:30 p.m.	Adjourn

Principals of Rotational Grazing - Mr. Jerry Swisher, Extension Area Dairy Agent, will discuss the principles of plant growth, compare pasture digestibility of rotational vs. continuously grazing, compare cow-calf performance on different pasture systems, and discuss the economics of pasture management.

Fertility Management and Insect Control in Corn and Small Grain - Mr. Robert Shoemaker, Nutrient Management Specialist for DCR, and Stephanie Stockton, Area IPM Extension Agent, will discuss crop production programs that can save producers money. Practices to be covered include: nitrogen and phosphorus management, manure management, and insect control strategies.

Animal Health Working Demonstration - Dr. Patrick Comyn, DVM, will demonstrate a new technique used in spaying heifers that takes less than 2 minutes per head. He will also show proper injection sites, the new fly control pour- on products, and treatment of pinkeye by injecting penicillin beneath the conjunctiva of the eye.

Use of Rye and Millet for Grazing - Mr. Brad Jarvis, Extension Agent, and Kevin Powell, Manager of the feedlot at Somerset Plantation, will discuss the use of rye for grazing. Several different varieties of small grains will be seeded for demonstration at the field day.

BMP Cost Share, Water Systems, and Fencing - John Jefferies and Nancy Grimes, Soil Technicians with NRCS, will lead a discussion on water systems (pressure, gravity flow, and pasture pumps). Frances Smith, Culpeper SWCD Technician will review cost share programs available. A high tensile fencing demonstration will be conducted by Robert Bradford.

>Nutrition Programs for Stocker Operations - Dr. David Porter Price, Consultant Nutritionist and Feedlot Specialist will discuss nutritional considerations and requirements when using broiler litter and other by-products, the use of implants, and the effects different types of feeding facilities have on nutritional requirements of animals.

Trade Show - The latest in new farm equipment will be on display, as well as exhibits, by representatives of the agriculture industry. All participants will have the opportunity for a tour stop at the trade show.

There is no charge for lunch, but in order to help us plan please contact your local Extension Office or the Orange County Extension Office at 540- 672-1361 no later than October 1, to make reservations.

If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations for this field day, please discuss your accommodation needs with Steve Hopkins at 540-672-1361 by Sept. 23, 1996.