IMISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University has planned three upcoming events to supply forage producers with the latest and best information possible to help them with production.

All forage and livestock producers are invited to attend any of the three events coordinated by the MSU Extension Service: the Southeast Mississippi Forage Field Day, Oct. 25 in Petal; the Northwest Mississippi Forage Field Day, Nov. 1 in Batesville; and the Mississippi Forage and Grassland Annual Conference, Nov. 15 in Hattiesburg.

The southeast and northwest Mississippi field days are part of the fall forage field day series focusing on extending grazing by stockpiling and winter grazing management. The southwest field day will focus on stockpiling warm-season grasses to close the gap between summer grazing and annual ryegrass and help reduce hay supplementation. The northwest field day will focus on stockpiling tall fescue and the role clovers could play in mitigating fescue toxicosis. Grazing demonstrations will highlight both field days.

The southwest event will be held at the Simmons Farm, 367 McKenzie Road in Petal, from 9 a.m. to noon. The northwest event will be held at Gordon Farms, 1303 Curtis Road in Batesville, from 9 a.m. to noon. Both events are free to the public, but registration is required for meal planning. Register at http://mississippiforages.com or contact Kathy Johnson at 662-325-2701 or kjohnson@pss.msstate.edu.

The forage and grassland conference will be held at the Forrest County Multipurpose Center, 952 Sullivan Drive in Hattiesburg, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This event will bring the state’s forage industry together for discussions on forage production, management and utilization to make Mississippi’s livestock industry more profitable and sustainable.

Topics include using annuals as feed for beef cattle and various aspects of grazing. The conference will feature exhibits, poster presentations, a hay contest, awards and an association business meeting.

Register by Nov. 1 at $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Students and youngsters can register at a reduced rate, and on-site registration is available at an increased cost. Registration information from the Mississippi Forage and Grassland Council is available at http://www.mississippifgc.org.

The MSU Extension Service, Mississippi Forage and Grassland Council, National Resource Conservation Service Grazing Lands Coalition Initiative, Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association collaborate in sponsoring these events.