EVENT COVERAGE

Cautious optimism seemed to be a common sentiment among the participants at the 2012 Southeast Hay Convention.

Mid-February always brings a trip to California and World Ag Expo. We had 15 members of our team in attendance, and we all managed to stay plenty busy, working in our three booths, making sales and editorial contacts and our Progressive Dairyman team was the sponsor of nine dairy seminars during the week.

A total of $18,000 in prizes was awarded to winners of the 2012 World Ag Expo Forage Challenge, presented by Mycogen Seeds. Finalists were chosen from 77 entries from nine western states.

The best I can do is to review the parts of the conference that stood out to me. Others who attended may note other things that stood out to them as impressive or important.

At the recent Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium, one session included presentations and a panel discussion about GMOs and Roundup Ready® alfalfa.

Dr. Garry Lacefield, Extension Agronomist from University or Kentucky, opened the 33rd annual Intensive Alfalfa Symposium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by asking the 27 attendees to introduce themselves and give their background with alfalfa.