“We hope to create an awareness of some of the niche markets that exist such as raising pastured pork, pastured poultry, replacement dairy heifers or grazing stocker calves,” said Brad Shelton, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service educator and co-conference planner. “If youre selling commodity beef at an auction barn, you have to take what they are willing to pay, but you can help determine your own bottom line with value-added products.

“If you can become more efficient and utilize your pasture and land, reduce costs on feed and fertilizer, you are likely to be more profitable in these uncertain times.”

Shelton said organizers also hope attendees receive a better understanding of grazing in general.

The conference, at the Holiday Inn, will cover a variety of topics, including forage growth and development, ultra-high stock density grazing, getting started in management-intensive grazing, and improving the existing management-intensive grazing system, Shelton said.

The conference will begin with registration and a trade show from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21, followed by a brief welcome and dinner.

Joel Salatin, owner of Polyface Inc., of Swoope, Va., will be the featured speaker. Salatin will discuss his operation, which includes the raising and marketing of salad bar beef, pigaerator pork, pastured poultry, forage-based rabbits and forestry products.

Early registration is due Dec. 19 and costs $65 per person or $55 for the second individual from the same farm or operation for the full conference. Early registration to attend one day of the conference costs $40 per person and $35 for the second individual from the same farm. After Dec. 19, registration costs $75 for the full conference and $50 for one day. Checks should be made payable to the Indiana Forage Council and mailed to Keith Johnson, 915 West State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907. Meals with registration after Jan. 15 cannot be guaranteed. More information and a registration brochure are available at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/forages/

Topics and speakers include:

• Patriotic tribute, Garry Lacefield, University of Kentucky Extension forage specialist.
• Understanding forage growth and development of grasses and legumes, Ray Smith, University of Kentucky Extension specialist, and Lacefield.
• Ultra-high stock density grazing, Salatin.
• Getting started in management of intensive grazing, Robert Zupancic and Susannah Hinds, Natural Resources Conservation Service specialists.
• Keeping management-intensive grazing going, Charlie Carter, Carterly Family Farms in Thorntown, Ind.
• Marketing your farm-raised products, Salatin.
• Using sheep and goats in a grazing environment, Lori Snyder and Mike Neary, Purdue Extension specialists.
• Economic flexibility in grazing stockers and replacement dairy heifers, Dave Nuhring, Grazing Systems Supply.
• Alternative forages in our grazing operations, Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage management specialist; Brett Glick from Columbus; and Roger Robinson from Orleans, Ind.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn at Columbus for $79 plus tax until Dec. 19. The hotel is located east of Interstate 65 at Exit 68 in south central Indiana.

For questions and more information contact Shelton at (812) 883-4601 or sheltonb@purdue.edu.

The conference is sponsored by the Indiana Forage Council, Indiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Missouri Forage and Grassland Council, Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Purdue Extension, Ohio State University Extension, University of Illinois Extension, University of Kentucky Extension, University of Missouri Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

In Related News:

• Purdue West Lafayette campus events, May 19-25

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Conference lets producers graze over smorgasbord of topics

Through Saturday

– Emerald Ash Borer Week in Indiana., focusing on quarantine and illegal moving of firewood as part of effort to stop spread of this destructive insect. Purdue Entomology and Extension are involved in programs. http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008a/080513EllisAwareness.html.

Monday-Friday

– Exhibition: “57/1: Artists from the Premier Edition of the PMC Guild Annual.” Purdue Galleries. Artworks, jewelry created by use of precious metal clay. Through Aug. 1. Robert L. Ringel Gallery, PMU. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, and by appointment. For class or group visits, contact Mary Ann Anderson at 49-67899.

– Exhibition: “BR: The Life and Work of Bruce Rogers.” Libraries: Archives and Special Collections. Rogers was a Purdue alumnus (Sc1890) and an internationally renowned typographer and book designer. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Through June 6. Room 279, STEW. www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol.

Tuesday-Saturday

– Exhibition: “Una Herencia Mexicana” (A Mexican Heritage). Works of Mexican Modernists. Sponsors include Purdue University Galleries and Purdue Latino Cultural Center. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. 10th St., Lafayette (south off South Street). 742-1128.

Monday, May 19

– Postponed. Graduate School dean candidate forum. Debasish Dutta, University of Michigan. TBA on June 2 or 3.

– Brown bag lunch and research idea exchange. Open to all. Sigma Xi research society. 11:30 a.m. Room B2, Stone Hall. Bring lunch or buy lunch in HTM Cafeteria on first floor and bring it to Room B2.

Tuesday, May 20

– College Teaching Workshops Series 1, Basics of Teaching, sessions 1-4. Center for Instructional Excellence. 8:30-10 a.m.: No. 1, “Student-Teacher Relationships: Establishing Rapport with Your Students.” 10:15-11:45 a.m.: No. 2, “University Policies and Procedures Related to Teaching.” 12:45-2:15 p.m.: No. 3, “Designing Instruction: Where Do You Start?” 2:30-4 p.m.: No. 4: “Presentation Techniques to Enhance Learning.” To register, www.cie.purdue.edu and look under “Workshops & Seminars.” For questions, e-mail to CIE@purdue.edu or call Letitia Casebourn at 49-66422.

– Caregiver Resource Fair. For employees. Local experts, various information on caring for aging or disabled loved one. WorkLife Programs. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. North Ballroom, PMU. For questions, call 49-45461.

Wednesday, May 21

– Last day for nominations to the provost’s advisory committee on diversity, the Diversity Leadership Group. Details.

– College Teaching Workshops Series 1, Basics of Teaching, sessions 1-4. Center for Instructional Excellence. 8:30-10 a.m.: No. 5, “Using Feedback and Assessment to Improve Your Teaching.” 10:15-11:45 a.m.: No. 6, “Discussion Techniques to Enhance Learning.” 12:45-2:15 p.m.: No. 7, “Using Objective Tests.” To register, www.cie.purdue.edu and look under “Workshops & Seminars.” For questions, e-mail to CIE@purdue.edu or call Letitia Casebourn at 49-66422.

– Spring Fling. Employee appreciation event. For faculty, staff, graduate student staff, and retirees (not families, friends, or other students). 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch opens at 11:30 a.m. at southeast entrance, East Gymnasium, Recreational Sports Center.

Thursday, May 22

– College Teaching Workshops Series 1, Basics of Teaching, sessions 1-4. Center for Instructional Excellence. 8:30-10 a.m.: No. 8, “Using Subjective Tests and Assigning Grades.” 10:15-11:45 a.m.: No. 9, “Dealing with Cheating: Prevention and Response.” 12:45-2:15 p.m.: No. 10, “Micro-Teaching: Practice Your Teaching.” 2:30-4 p.m.: No. 4: “Presentation Techniques to Enhance Learning.” To register, www.cie.purdue.edu and look under “Workshops & Seminars.” For questions, e-mail to CIE@purdue.edu or call Letitia Casebourn at 49-66422.

– Cyber Security Presentation Series. “Best Practices for Hardening Host.” Information Technology Networks and Security (ITNS). Topics relate to work of Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT). Noon-1:30 p.m. Room 214A, STEW.

– Computer Science colloquium. Bradley Steffens, author. “Ibn al-Haytham: The First ‘Mad’ Scientist.” A look at the Muslim thinker of 1,000 years ago who founded analytic geometry and helped shape the scientific method. Cyber Center and Department of Computer Science. 3 p.m. Room 1142, Lawson Computer Science Building.

Saturday, May 24

– Operator Services Office holiday weekend schedule. At normal closing of 6 p.m. Saturday, office will be closed until 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 27. In emergency, call 911 or Purdue police at 49-48221. Questions: 49-43050. (Normal service hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.)

Who’s on campus this week?

A listing of some conferences and camps of notable size, public interest or visibility, or participation of children, youth or others outside Purdue.

• Monday-Tuesday: Bioenergy Symposium.
• Tuesday-Thursday: EPICS 2008 Conference.

In Related News:

• Purdue University West Lafayette campus events for week of May 27
• Purdue police seek suspect in attempted fraternity house burglary
• Purdue groups to hold memorial service for earthquake victims
• OnePurdue counts down to final Banner release
• Purdue to offer cars, vans for sale

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Purdue West Lafayette campus events, May 19-25