Description:
Essential Topics in Animal Agriculture: What Farmers Need to Know is the theme for the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council (VFGC) and Virginia Cooperative Extension winter forage conferences. This is an ideal opportunity for all livestock producers to gain an understanding of animal psychology and behavior leading to: reduced stress and injury to animals and people; higher quality animal products; a safer work environment; improved animal welfare; and lower total costs of production. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University and internationally known expert on animal behavior. She is listed in the 2010 TIME 100, Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Dr. Grandin will provide research-based insights and knowledge into animal behavior and how to improve transportation, handling, and working facilities to reduce stress and improve animal welfare. Participants will also hear from Dr. Fred Provenza, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University and Dr. John Anderson, Livestock Economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Dr. Provenza will help famers understand the practical science behind grazing behavior and how to train animals to enhance the environment. Dr. Anderson will provide insights into the global economics of animal agriculture and what that means for individual farm profitability. The daylong conference will be repeated at three locations: Tuesday, January 18, in Wytheville at the Wytheville Meeting Center Wednesday, January 19, in Madison Heights at the Madison Heights Community Center Thursday, January 20, in Weyers Cave at the Weyers Cave Community Center. The conferences will run from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Please visit the VFGC web site at http://vaforages.org for additional details and registration information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service is also a sponsor.