News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patrick Davis
MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist
Cedar County MU Extension Center
113 South Street, Stockton, MO 65785

Phone: (417) 276-3313
Email: davismp@missouri.edu

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Headline: The SW MO Spring Forage Conference will be held February 17^th in Springfield, MO

Stockton, MO- The SW MO Spring Forage Conference will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2025, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO.

“The event will he headlined with an interview between Oklahoma State University Agricultural Economist Dr. Derrel Peel and Missouri’s own Tyne Morgan of US Farm Report,” says Patrick Davis, MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Dr. Peel currently holds the Charles Breedlove Professorship of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University and has served as an extension livestock marketing specialist for over 35 years. Through this time, he has become a nationally recognized livestock economist with an extension program focused on livestock market situation, outlook, and marketing/risk management education for producers. Peel also does research in all areas of livestock production economics and marketing for all beef cattle production sectors. Furthermore, he researches meat demand and meat supply chain issues and beef product marketing. He also has an interest in international cattle and beef trade with expertise in Mexican cattle and beef industry. Peel should provide an entertaining interview that will be led by Missouri’s own Tyne Morgan who is the first female host of US Farm Report and currently resides in rural Missouri with her husband and two daughters where she has a passion for helping support her local community.

The conference luncheon will also feature a presentation by Dr. Peter Ballerstedt titled “The Roots of Humanities Future,” according to Davis. Dr. Ballerstedt has built a distinguished career in the forage industry, serving as a forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986-1992 and working in the forage seed sector since 2011. He is an advocate for the significance of ruminant animal agriculture within food systems and emphasizes the vital contribution of animal-sourced foods to human nutrition. Through Grass Based Health, Dr. Ballerstedt works to foster collaboration among producers, consumers, and researchers across diverse scientific fields. He has delivered presentations both nationally and internationally, many of which are available on YouTube.

“For further education, conference participants can attend several breakout sessions,” says Davis. Breakout session topics include rebuilding weakened forage stands, virtual fencing for regenerative grazing, energy supplementation of cattle on pasture, leasing, using stockers in cow-calf operations, grazing crabgrass, reproductive management insights for calving season decisions, what does hay really cost, drones in agriculture, Theleria Orientalis Ikeda: An Emerging Cattle Disease in Missouri, and weed management considerations for pastures and hayfields.

“This conference also provides educational sessions specific to sheep and goat producers,” says Davis. These topics include parasite control, sheep and goats consumer preferences, rotational grazing, and predator signs and control measures.

“A trade show is held in conjunction with the conference,” says Davis. Agricultural businesses and organizations will have exhibits and representatives available to discuss their products and services. If interested in becoming an exhibitor or sponsor, contact Jody Wade at the Webster County MO SWCD office at (417) 468-4176 ext. 3 or by email at jody.wade@swcd.mo.gov.

Conference check-in begins at 8 a.m., with sessions running from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. A banquet luncheon is included with the registration. The cost is $55 per person if you register by February 6^th or $65 per person after February 6^th but by February 13^th. No walk-in registration allowed. Register online at www.springforageconference.com. For questions or to pay over the phone by credit card, please contact Stephanie Essary with Webster County SWCD at 417-468-4176, ext. 3