What is KFGC?What Does It Provide For You?How Can You Get involved?

Importance of Forages in KYOver seven million acres are used to produce forage crop annually in the state. 5 million acres of permanent pasture2 million acres of grass and grass/legume hay and haylage320,000 acres of alfalfa hay140,000 corn silage

What is KFGC? Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council is a state-wide organization in which everyone interested in forages can work together to improve the forage/livestock industry in Kentucky.

What is KFGCs Primary Purpose?The primary purpose of the KFGC is to promote the value of forages through local and regional conferences and tours, various publications, sponsoring research trials, awards to outstanding producers, and working with other state and national organizations.

Who can belong to KFGC?Anyone with an interest in forages!Three major sectors:

Private: Forage and livestock producersPublic: Educators, Researchers, AgenciesIndustry: Seed companies, herbicide companies, fencing companies, etc.

KFGC Sponsored ActivitiesEducational conferences such asKY Grazing ConferenceKY Alfalfa ConferenceAnnual KFGC Field DayGrazing Schools and Master Grazer programAwards Programs Forage Spokesperson contest Annual Hay Quality contest

Members Receive KY Monthly Newsletter

Annual MembershipsYour KFGC membership enrolls you in Kentuckys premier forage organization and provides membership in the American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC), which is the only unified voice representing forages in this country.

AFGC BenefitsAs an AFGC member you will receive the national newsletter The Forage Leader and the national Forage magazine Hay and Forage Grower.

www.kfgc.org

www.afgc.org

www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage

Get Involved With KFGC

Consider Joining Today Only $25

Speaker information: The primary purpose of this KFGC PowerPoint is to provide a communication tool that can be used by specialists, Extension agents, industry representatives and producers to inform all individuals who have an interest in forages about the role KFGC has in improving the forage and livestock industry in KY.

Slide 1 notes: In this short PowerPoint I would like to introduce you to the KY Forage and Grassland Council, give you an idea of what KFGC can do for you and how you can get involved. *Why do we need an organization in KY to focus on improving forages? With over 7 million acres of land being used annually for forage production, there is no doubt that forages playes a major role in KYs agriculture industry. This 7 million acres is broken down as 5 million acres in permanent pasture, etc. (read slide)

Not only is forages the number one feed source for our animal industry in KY but forages has potential as a cash crop. *So what is KFGC: Read Slide*Read Slide*Anyone interested in forages can become a member of the KY Forage and Grassland Council. Membership usually comes from three major sectors. Read rest of slide. (Examples of public include University personnel, Extension specialists/agents, NRCS, FSA etc.)

*Speaker information about KFGC Activities

Ky Grazing Conference held in early fall addresses a variety of forage/grazing issues.KY Alfalfa Conference- held in early spring addresses timely topics in alfalfa production

KFGC Field Day annual forage field day held in mid summer to early fall on a forage producers farm that has implemented best management practices in the areas of forage production and/or grazing.

Grazing Schools 3 day educational program for producers that focuses on grazing management. This program has been replaced by the Master Grazer program.

Master Grazer program is a series of grazing management programs held each year at several locations throughout the state each year. This program utilizes class room discussion, hands-on activities and field days to help educate producers on such topics as water and fence development for rotational grazing and renovating pastures.

Forage Spokesperson contest allows forage producers the opportunity to compete for prize money and awards by sharing their on-farm forage production and grazing experiences.

Hay Quality Contest- Sponsored by Ky Department of Agriculture. Plaques are given to producer with the highest forage quality in several different hay categories. Hay must be tested by the Ky Department of Agriculture.

*Members receive the Forage News, a newsletter produced by UK forage specialists Dr. Garry Lacefield and Dr. Ray Smith. This newsletter highlights timely forage topics and upcoming forage programs. *Annual membership to KFGC is $20 which enrolls etc. Read Slide*Read Slide. The Forage Leader, which comes out quarterly and Hay and Forage Grower feature articles that range from forage research to success stories of forage producers. *KFGC Members are informed about three forages websites that will provide you with the latest forage information and resources that will assist all sectors of the forage industry in making well-informed decisions that relate to forage production.

The KFGC website is www.kfgc.com. If possible connect to the website and make a few comments about the content of the website.*The American Forage and Grassland Council website is www.afgc.com

(If possible connect to website and summarize content.)*and quite possibly the best University forage website in the nation at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage

(Connect to website)

This website includes: information on upcoming forage and livestock conferences and field days, UKs forage publications and forage variety trials, hay, weather and horse links and much more. *Getting involved with KFGC is easy. (move to next slide)*Please consider joining KFGC/AFGC today. Annual membership is only $20.

(Suggest you summarize the benefits of KFGC/AFGC as you make membership forms available to participants.)*