PROGRESSIVE FARMER DINNER MEETING SET FOR FEB. 20

(02/13/2018)
By Brandy Brabham, WVU-Roane County Extension Agent

The WVU Extension Service in Roane County is offering its second Progressive Farmer Winter Dinner Meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at the Roane County High School Vocational Department in Spencer, WV. Participants are advised to park in the side parking lot next to greenhouse and enter through shop door. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. with a meal provided by local sponsors, including Farm Credit and the Little Kanawha Conservation District.

Tuesday night's topic will be "Beef Cattle Management and Vaccination Tips" by Dr. Darin Matlick, Veterinarian and Director of West Virginia University farms at Potomac State. Dr. Matlick teaches agriculture animal science and vet tech-related courses at Potomac State as well as serves as the clinical veterinarian for the Potomac State farm animals.

A herd health management plan is vital to profitable beef production. Some producers, however, do not vaccinate until they experience a loss. Dr. Matlick will remind participants that the investment in disease prevention is less than the cost of disease treatment.

He encourages producers to not wait until a disease outbreak occurs before implementing a sound herd health program. During this presentation, Dr. Matlick will cover other management tips for cattle to reach their performance potential. He will emphasis the importance of good animal health, handling, proper nutrition, and vaccinations.

This meeting is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is requested and suggested to plan for meals by Monday, February 19, 2018. To pre-register of for more information, call the WVU-Roane County Extension Office at 304-927-0975.

This series of meetings takes place throughout the winter every year and is brought to you in part by the WVU Extension Service, the USDA's Risk Management Agency, and Farm Credit of the Virginias.

A final local meeting is planned for March 23 and will cover the topic of woodlot management and wildlife habitat enhancements. A complete list of winter dinner meetings sponsored by WVU Extension can be found by stopping by the WVU-Roane County Extension Service's office located in the lower level of the Roane County Library in Spencer, WVa. or calling the local WVU-Roane County Extension Office at 304-927-0975.