The conference was a total success packed with exciting talks and tours across the island.
Participants came from thirteen southern states in the U.S., from the Caribbean islands and Central America.
Participants learned about the island forage industry from Puerto Rico's leading scientists. Attendees observed first-hand pasture management from local ranchers and were immersed in the rich Borinquen history and culture.
University of Florida Extension forage specialist and program chair, Dr. Yoana Newman, welcomed participants and opened the conference program.
Prominent Puerto Rican forage scientists Dr. Antonio Soto Mayor, Dr. Elide Valencia, and Dr. Guillermo Ortiz provided an overview of the Puerto Rican forage industry that included the island Agro ecological zones and forages, an overview of Puerto Rican dairy industry, and of tropical legumes utilized in the region.
Dairy and hay operations were toured in the northern as well as the southern shores of the island.
The tours ended with a visit to Martex Farms, a family owned business specialized in tropical fruits and plants, located in the Santa Isabel and Juana Diaz valleys in the south coast of Puerto Rico.
Speakers in the forage ecology/physiology, forage extension, forage breeding, and forage utilization workgroups included Dr. Adesogan, Dr. Dan Undersander, Dr. Hugo Cuevas, and Dr. Rein van der Hoek.
Proceedings of the conference are posted and can be downloaded from the SPFCIC website.
“What stood out were the content of the talks and the exceptional farm operations and tours in the commonwealth," said participant Dennis Mudge, Orange county extension agent from University of Florida.
“The receptivity and hospitality of the Puerto Ricans were really outstanding – and will be remembered for a long time. University of Puerto Rico scientists and extension agents did an incredible job.”
The SPFCIC is one of the oldest forage conferences. The first conference was held in 1940 in Tifton, Georgia. Since then it has rotated throughout the Southeast.
The conference provides opportunity to network, tour local forage producing areas, and share experiences to advance the management and improvement of southern forage crops.
The 67th SPFCIC will be held in Texas. Details will be available online. FG
Yoana Newman is an Extension Forage Specialist with the University of Florida. She is best reached by email.
PHOTOS
Photos courtesy of Yoana Newman and Rocky Lemus.
