Purdue field day to feature research on sorghum’s value as a forage crop

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University Extension will host a Forage Sorghum Field Day on Sept. 10 at the Feldun-Purdue Ag Center (FPAC) in Bedford, Indiana.

“Compared to corn, forage sorghum has attributes of being more drought tolerant, has less nitrogen requirements and no host relationship with the tar spot pathogen,” said Keith Johnson, Purdue professor of agronomy. “We will discuss its production and utilization for silage, grazing and as a standing winter feed source in a winter lot.”

Attendees also will have the opportunity to learn about forage sorghum research from agronomy experts such as Mitch Tuinstra, Wickersham Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Research and scientific director of the Institute for Plant Sciences at Purdue. He will share plant breeding techniques that improve sorghum yield and quality.

Other speakers will include Brad Shelton, FPAC superintendent; Jason Tower, Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center superintendent; Nick Minton, Purdue Extension beef systems specialist; and Jeff Jackson, Croplan alfalfa and forage specialist.

Venue tours will be available from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Dinner and a bull test station tour will be available from 5-6 p.m.

Participants should register by Sept. 5. Contact Brad Shelton, FPAC superintendent, at sheltonb@purdue.edu. Those with questions or accessibility needs can contact Johnson at johnsonk@purdue.edu.

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