Dairy field day Oct. 30
Oct 13, 2003 12:00 PM
FRANLINTON, La. -- The LSU AgCenter will conduct its 2003 Dairy Field Day Oct. 30 at its Southeast Research Station in Franklinton. Registration and viewing of exhibits will begin at 9 a.m. with field tours from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Mike McCormick, resident director of the LSU AgCenter's Southeast Research Station, says the field tour will include an overview of research concerning heat stress in confined dairy cows, research on parasite control in cattle and horses, and the potential for the production of alfalfa baleage on local farms.
Twidwell says many dairy producers in Louisiana's Florida parishes currently import their hay from Texas and Oklahoma. He will discuss some of the research that's been conducted at the Southeast Research Station in recent years on the possibility of growing and harvesting alfalfa in the Florida parish region.
After the field tours, the indoor program will include a discussion on early detection of lame cows by Angelica Chapa, a dairy specialist with Mississippi State University.
In addition, Steve Nicholson, LSU AgCenter veterinary science professor, will give a presentation titled "Biosecurity on the Farm." Nicholson says his presentation will take a look at two diseases that are transmitted in cattle, "Vibrio and Trich." These are common names for Campylobacter and Trichomoniasis, respectively.
The day's events also will include the informal viewing of agribusiness equipment and tours of the new facilities at the station, which include a milking barn, a freestall barn and the new cow cooling system. Field day participants also will have a chance to view ryegrass and alfalfa baleage, lagoon cleanout equipment and the forage quality laboratory.
The field day will conclude with a sponsored lunch. For further information on the field day, call the Southeast Research Station at 985-839-2322 or e-mail Southeastrs@agcenter.lsu.edu.
