Virginia Tech will host a Beef & Forage Field Day July 27 at Kentland Farm in Blacksburg from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to learn more about a variety of cattle- and forage-related topics and to experience Virginia Tech’s scenic Kentland Farm.

Topics will include

  • Economics of low-stress beef cattle handling.
  • Characteristics of quality feeder cattle.
  • The Virginia beef industry and market outlook.
  • Increasing pasture production with summer annuals and alternative forages.
  • Baling and bale-handling demonstrations.
  • Spray applications using boomless and aerial technology.
  • Practical and low-cost application of precision agriculture in livestock.
  • Precision technology demonstrations in forage systems.

Special guest Megan Seibel, Virginia's deputy secretary of agriculture and natural resources, will provide an update on agriculture in the commonwealth.

Lunch will be provided by Hethwood Market, and ice cream will be available for purchase from Homestead Creamery. The cost for participants is $10. Register in advance at http://vaes.vt.edu/content/dam/vaes_vt_edu/college-farm/extension-outreach/ANR-253.pdf.

The field day is sponsored by the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Kentland Farm is located about eight minutes from the Virginia Tech campus at 5250 Whitethorne Road. Kentland Farm, which boasts 1,700 acres along the New River, supports research, teaching, and Extension activities for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and other colleges at the university.

For more information, call the Virginia Cooperative Extension Pulaski County Office at 540-980-7761 or email paulette@vt.edu.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation in order to attend the event, please contact Morgan Paulette at 540-980-7761 or paulette@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

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