Southeast Minnesota Forage Field Day and Dairy Tour

Aug 04, 2023

By Katie Drewitz

Forage, beef and dairy farmers are invited to the Southeast Minnesota Forage Field Day & Dairy Tour on Tuesday, Aug. 8 in Spring Valley. With two great farm hosts, Valley Angus Farm and Heusinkveld Farms, the tours will look at grazing fields, fencing, water types, and alfalfa’s role in organic systems, as well as a heifer barn and tunnel-vented dairy barn.

The event begins at 9:45 a.m. at Valley Angus Farm. Prior to a field tour led by Dan Miller, participants will learn about the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) resources for livestock producers and hear from farmers who have benefited from MDA’s cost-share programs. They will also learn about the pros and cons of different fencing and watering options and hear from Tom Cotter on methods to optimize the conservation and economic benefits of grazing cover crops.

After the field tour at Valley Angus Farm, participants will move to Heusinkveld Farms for lunch served at noon. Prior to the tour of the farm’s dairy facilities led by Nate Heusinkveld, participants will hear about farmer resources offered by the event’s co-organizers Midwest Forage Association, Minnesota Diary Initiative, and University of Minnesota Extension, as well as a talk on carbon credits.

Source : umn.edu

Video: How Swine Nutrition Can Revolutionize Biogas Production - Dr. Felipe Hickmann

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Felipe Hickmann from Laval University explores how nutritional strategies and manure management impact biogas production in pig farming. He breaks down the science behind anaerobic digestion at low temperatures and explains how dietary adjustments affect methane production and environmental sustainability. Learn how producers can reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Lowering crude protein can reduce nitrogen in manure, but only if animal intake doesn’t compensate by increasing feed consumption."

Meet the guest: Dr. Felipe Hickmann / felipe-hickmann-963853a6 is a PhD research assistant at Laval University, specializing in swine and poultry sustainability. With extensive experience in manure management, nutritional strategies, and precision livestock technologies, he contributes to improving environmental outcomes in animal agriculture.