The Dudley Smith Annual Field Day is an agricultural-based event that will take place Thursday, June 29th, from 9:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Dudley Smith Research Farm. Dudley Smith Farm at 2200 E. 600 North Road in Pana. The field day gives cattle farmers and other members of the agriculture community a chance to hear words from Dudley Smith Farm researchers, exchange thoughts on the year's growth, and a look at new ways of maintaining their cattle.
Travis Meteer is the Beef and Cattle Educator for the University of Illinois Extension office. Meteer plays a more significant role in the annual field day events and has grown up alongside cattle producers.
Meteer notes that The Dudley Smith Farm experience would not be possible without Ed Ballard, who gave 39 years to educating Illinois on farm productivity and sustainability, then became the manager of Dudley Smith Farms.
Rotational grazing is a system tested by Dudley Smith Farms, which sections off pieces of a pasture to allow regrowth, while livestock consumes another part of the land.
New grazing practices appear at an opportune time as Illinois is experiencing drought-like conditions, not seen since 2012. Beef cow production can be hurt by the lack of precipitation. Hay is being utilized for cow feed earlier than expected.
To register for the Dudley Smith Farm Annual Field Day you can register online at https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2023-06-29-dudley-smith-farm-field-day.
Travis Meteer appeared on the WTIM Morning Show as a guest.
