SDSU Extension will host several forums to benefit South Dakota growers and their families during 2015 Dakotafest held Aug. 18-20 inside the SDSU Extension Pavilion located on the Schlaffman Farm, Mitchell.

The topics range from Precision Ag Technologies, Climate and Grain Outlooks and Top Ten Ways to Run More Cows on the Same Grass to Tax Savings for Farm Families and new Opportunities for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers.

Organized in a discussion format, these forums provide participants with the opportunity to have their questions answered by SDSU Extension and South Dakota State University staff as well as other industry experts.

"Dakotafest is a wonderful opportunity for our staff and faculty to interact directly with producers and discuss issues relevant to our state's agriculture industry," said Karla Trautman, SDSU Extension Associate Director.

New location same great information

Forums will be held in the SDSU Extension Pavilion in its new location in booth 600, located on the corner of 6th Street and the West Entrance (for Dakotafest regulars, its the road which leads past the ribeye sandwiches on the way to the northwest corner.)

Also inside the SDSU Pavilion, the iGrow kiosk will provide digital information to the public on the wide range of SDSU Extension resources and tools available online through the iGrow page.

2015 SDSU Extension Forum Schedule

Tuesday, August 18, 2015, Show Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Rainfall Simulator and Pasture and Cropland Soil Health, presented by Jeff Hemenway (NRCS), Stan Boltz (NRCS) and Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist

10 a.m. Daily Weather Briefing & Climate Outlook, presented by Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist

10:30 a.m. Precision Ag Technologies, presented by Nic Uilk, Ag & Biosystems Engineering Instructor and Aaron Franzen, Ag & Biosystems Engineering Instructor

11 a.m. New Opportunities for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers, presented by Merlin Neumiller, SDSU Extension Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program Manager and Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist

11:30 a.m. Top Ten Ways To Run More Cows on the Same Grass, presented by Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist

Noon Free SDSU Ice Cream

1 p.m. Grain Market Outlook, presented by Jack Davis, SDSU Extension Crops Business Management Field Specialist

1:30 p.m. Current Topics in Agriculture, presented by Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Director

2 p.m. Tax Savings for Farm Families, presented by TASC AgriPlan NOW

Wednesday, August 19, 2015, Show Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Rainfall Simulator and Pasture and Cropland Soil Health, presented by Jeff Hemenway (NRCS), Stan Boltz (NRCS) and Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist

10 a.m. Daily Weather Briefing & Climate Outlook, presented by Dennis Todey, South Dakota State Climatologist & SDSU Extension Climate Specialist and Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist

10:30 a.m. Nozzle Selection for New Crop Technologies, presented by Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education & Urban Entomology Field Specialist

11 a.m. Precision Ag Technologies, presented by Nic Uilk, Ag & Biosystems Engineering Instructor and Aaron Franzen, Ag & Biosystems Engineering Instructor

11:30 a.m. Top Ten Ways To Run More Cows on the Same Grass, presented by Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist

Noon Free SDSU Ice Cream

1 p.m. Avian Influenza Update, presented by Russ Daly, Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian

1:30 p.m. Grain Market Outlook, presented by Jack Davis, SDSU Extension Crops Business Management Field Specialist

2 p.m. Current Topics in Agriculture, presented by Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Director

Thursday, August 20, 2015, Show Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Rainfall Simulator and Pasture and Cropland Soil Health, presented by Jeff Hemenway (NRCS), Stan Boltz (NRCS), Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist

10 a.m. Daily Weather Briefing & Climate Outlook, presented by Dennis Todey, South Dakota State Climatologist & SDSU Extension Climate Specialist

10:30 a.m. Nozzle Selection for New Crop Technologies, presented by Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education & Urban Entomology Field Specialist

11 a.m. Precision Ag Technologies, presented by Nic Uilk, Ag & Biosystems Engineering Instructor and Aaron Franzen, Ag & Biosystems Engineering Instructor

11:30 a.m. Top Ten Ways To Run More Cows on the Same Grass, presented by Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist

Noon Free SDSU Ice Cream

1 p.m. Grain Market Outlook, presented by Jack Davis, SDSU Extension Crops Business Management Field Specialist

1:30 p.m. Water Management for Agriculture in South Dakota, presented by Chris Hay, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Water Management Engineer

2 p.m. Current Topics in Agriculture, presented by Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Director

To learn more, visit the iGrow events page.

–SDSU Extension