WARSAW — What It Means to be a Livestock Producer in 2017 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Office at 202 W Main St., Warsaw.

The program features “CFOs: Research and Resources at Purdue” with Dr. Paul Ebner, Purdue University. In May 2015, Purdue Extension was commissioned by the State of Indiana to study Indiana county zoning ordinances as they apply to confined feeding operations. Learn about the results of the study and the new factsheets, reports and resources now available as a result.

Update to the Trenches features Justin Orme, Indiana Soybean Alliance, moving farmers forward on nutrient management and soil health. Indiana’s Nutrient Management Soil Health Strategy is important in moving farmers toward more sustainable farming practices. With practices becoming more scrutinized farmers must be proactive in their approach to modern farming. The goal as a state is to avoid any kind of one size fits all regulation and in this segment it will go through the strategy and best management practices that will reduce nutrient runoff. There will also be an update on livestock growth/expansion.

Trish Waller Dunn from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist is joining us to share an update on Fertilizer Staging and Application Regulations. The Office of Indiana State Chemist been working with the fertilizer rules the past four years that establish standards so that fertilizer materials can be handled and applied in a manner that will help ensure protection of soil and water. So, how are farmers doing following the rule? Get an update on the progress and areas where farmers can improve especially staging of the manure.

The final session highlights new research information on using antibiotic alternatives in swine feed rations. Dr. Brian Richert, Dr. Brian Richert, Purdue University, Swine Extension Specialist is sharing research results from studies using alternatives to antibiotics in swine feed rations. Oregano and other alternatives are in the news but can it really work in feed rations.

This program counts as one of the the meetings for private applicators especially those with a fertilizer focus. For the meeting to count for private applicator credit you will need to pay an additional $10, attend the entire meeting, and sign the attendance sheet at the completion of the meeting. Please bring your Private Applicator permit with you for registration. CCH’s for Category 14 have been requested for commercial applicators. Please contact the Extension Office for more complete details for these credits.

Registration for the clinic is $10 or $15 to receive private pesticide applicator credit and includes handouts and lunch. The deadline to register for the clinic is March 3. The registration brochure is available at the following website.

For questions or more information, please contact the Kosciusko County Extension Office at (574) 372-2340.