Educational Opportunities

University of Illinois Agriculture Events

New programs are being confirmed every day. Keep in touch with your Extension Office for programs addressing the topics that interest you and are offered in your County. To find your counties website go to: http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/ve/

Statewide University of Illinois Extension Calendar Website

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cie2/offices/calendar.cfm

To search for programs throughout the state, check out Extension’s searchable calendar. Search by location, topic or date to find a program of you interest.

Livestock Manure Management Conference

March 11, 2003, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bloomington
Leanne Lucas; (217) 244-9085; llucas@uiuc.edu

Livestock producers face new Concentrated Animal Feedlot Operations (CAFO) regulations, passed in 2002. But the good news is that there is plenty of research data, management information and financial assistance facts, which will be showcased at the Livestock Manure Management Conference this coming March in Bloomington. This conference, sponsored by the University of Illinois Department of Agricultural Engineering, will help producers grapple with the new regulations, as well as address an array of concerns faced by livestock producers in the state of Illinois.

"We're bringing in a number of specialists, as well as experts from out of state," said Ted Funk, coordinator of the LMM Conference. Speakers include:

• Eldon McAfee is an attorney for the Iowa Pork Producers, representing livestock farmers in nuisance litigation.
• Ellen Hankes, a former swine producer from Illinois, will discuss the On-Farm Assessment and Environmental Review project - a free, on-site inspection of livestock production facilities. Hankes now works with America's Clean Water Foundation and Environmental Management Systems.
• Bruce Yurdin, Watershed Manager, Bureau of Water, Illinois EPA, will discuss the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and the new CAFO regulations.
• Mike Ellis U of I professor, will give an overview of research being conducted under C-FAR.
• Paula Hingson, Farm Bill coordinator at the state Natural Resources Conservation Service office, will explain the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). EQIP can provide significant financial assistance to producers who are willing to plan and work with agencies on conservation and manure management practices.

A new feature at the conference this year is the "Round-the-Room" session. Each speaker will have an exhibit table to showcase information, so when attendees break for lunch, they will have a chance to talk one-on-one with these speakers. Attendees will also be able to visit the tables of conference exhibitors and different state agencies.

In the afternoon, breakout sessions will give special attention to beef/dairy and swine producers.

• Ken Griswold, a professor at Southern Illinois University, will discuss feedlot runoff control systems for the beef/dairy producers.
• Phil Westerman, professor at North Carolina State University, will speak to swine producers about alternative manure treatment technologies.
• Gary Apgar, professor from SIU, will speak to swine producers about feed management for controlling excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus.

The Livestock Manure Management Conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in Bloomington, Illinois on March 11, 2003, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are asked to pre-register by March 4. The cost for the conference is $35. To register, call the U of I College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences marketing and distribution office at 1-800-345-6087. For more information, you may email Funk at funkt@uiuc.edu.