2025 Cool-Season Forage Tour – February 26

Program Highlights
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• Overview of cool-season forage systems for dairy and beef cattle
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• Discussions on cool-season forage varieties, production, quality, and tour of the official variety trials
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• Forage seeding rates to optimize production and expenditures
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• Forage management for hay and grazing systems
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The UF/IFAS Forage Team invites you to join us for the 2025 edition of the annual Cool-Season Forage Dairy Tour, on Wednesday, February 26.  This tour has a long-standing tradition for showcasing the latest in cool-season forage variety trials for dairy farmers and cattle ranchers. This event provides a unique opportunity to visit partnering dairy farms, in the Suwanee Valley, where we evaluate commercial and experimental varieties of small grains—oat, rye, triticale, and wheat—along with ryegrass. Attendees will gain insights into forage performance, hear directly from researchers and farmers, and see firsthand how these forages can enhance dairy production systems.

Join us as we also highlight UF forage breeding program releases and the ongoing milk checkoff demonstrations, including a seeding rate trial for oats that was requested by producers. These trials aim to promote improved forage options for Florida dairies, as a sustainable way to produce winter forage. Our last stop will be at a beef cattle farm, which is using cool-season forages for winter grazing. Whether you are looking for new varieties to incorporate into your operation or simply want to stay informed on the latest research, this field day is for you.  We look forward to seeing you there!

The registration fee for this event is $10 per person and includes lunch.  Please register online through the following link by Monday, February 24th: 

2025 Cool-Season Forage Tour Registration  

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Tour Agenda and Locations (Eastern Time Zone)

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM – Forage Trials at White Oak Dairy – Mayo, FL
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10:45 AM – 11:45 PM – Forage Trials at Shenandoah Dairy – Live Oak, FL
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12:15 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch and Networking – UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County, Live Oak
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1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Starling Farms Beef Cattle Operation – Live Oak
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Download the flyer for site specific locations and driving directions:  2025 Cool-Season Dairy Tour flyer

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For more information, contact forages@ifas.ufl.edu