Low lignin alfalfa topic for field day

MANITOWOC

The traits of low lignin alfalfa will be the featured topic Thursday, July 14, when the Manitowoc County Forage Council holds its annual summer field day. It will be held at the Brunmeier Dairy Farm, 8110 S. Union Road in the town of Newton.

Following a noon lunch and a brief annual meeting of the council, University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy scientist David Combs will describe what's new with low lignin alfalfa as it pertains to dairy cow rations, nutrition, and production.

From the seed company perspective, Dairyland Seed forage product manager Chad Staudinger and agronomists from Country Vision Cooperative will provide updates on low lignin alfalfa.

After a tour of the host Brunmeier farm facilities such as the calf barn with its automatic feeder, the field day attendees will be invited to visit a 35-acre field on which conventional and low lignin alfalfa varieties are being compared.

There is no registration fee for the field day, which is being co-sponsored by the Midwest Forage Association and the Manitowoc County Extension Service office. The noon lunch is sponsored by InDepth Agronomy, Denmark State Bank, Croplan, Country Visions Cooperative and the Forage Council.

If necessary due to weather conditions, the field day will be postponed to Friday, July 15. Call 920-683-4175 to verify a postponement.