Individuals interested in learning efficient manure management strategies can attend the 2006 Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo July 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in St. Johns, Mich. The theme for the event with be Keep it in the Root Zone. The event is sponsored by Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan State Universities' Extensions.
Commercial vendors will offer displays and demonstrations on manure handling, treatment equipment, businesses and organizations offering manure services, and products related to manure management.
The expo is targeting innovative and practical manure application strategies that will help place and keep manure in the root zone, where it most benefits growing crops. "This would include anything and everything that affects land application, ranging from innovative and advanced manure treatment systems at the livestock facility to manure application equipment and systems," says Dann Bolinger, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educator for dairy and manure management based in Clinton County.
Prominent speakers from around the Midwest will be providing sessions throughout the day. They include Frank Gibbs, the USDA NRCS in Ohio with a demonstration on tile lines, Jay Solomon and Pete Fandel from the University of Illinois on GPS field technologies, David Schmidt of the University of Minnesota on odor control strategies, Jon Rausch from Ohio State University and Brad Joern of Purdue on the economics and agronomic benefits of manure, Tim Harrigan of MSU with a demonstration on seeding cover crops using manure as the carrier, Bill Bickert of MSU and a panel of dairy producers on sand bedding and manure handling innovations.
No fee or registration is required. Lunch will be available for purchase. For more information, call 989-224-5240 or visit www.rootzone.msu.edu. Anyone wishing to display at the event should contact Bolinger at the same number.