The annual program will contain the usual equipment demonstrations and educational sessions, but will also tackle relative forage quality (RFQ), says Keith Johnson, a Purdue extension forage specialist and event co-chairman.
"For years forage and livestock producers have used relative feed value (RFV) as a measure to determine the value of their forages," he says. However, not everyone believes that the RFV index gives the best measure of forage value, so the concept of RFQ has emerged.
Dan Undersander of the University of Wisconsin will discuss the differences between RFV and RFQ. Undersander, one of the original proponents of the method, believes RFQ gives producers a better idea how much forage is worth.
Several other Purdue experts will cover topics that relate to forage production and utilization. After lunch, farmers can watch equipment demonstrations. About 16 companies will have mowers, rakes, tedders, balers and other equipment in action.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m. The site is on County Road 8 in Elkhart County. To get there from Middlebury, take State Road 13 north to County Road 10, and travel west on County Road 10 until it intersects with County Road 8, then follow the signs.
For more information, contact Carol Summers at 765-494-4783.