MonDak Ag Days Set For Jan. 12-13

This year’s MonDak Ag Days and Trade Show, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Jan. 12-13 at the Richland County Fair Event Center, has a good mix of educational sessions, trade show displays, and Ag in the Classroom, with something to interest everyone. The show will provide agricultural presentations dealing with a wide range of relevant information, and a trade show that highlights new ideas and technology within the field of agriculture.

“I invite people to mark this year’s Ag Days on their calendars,” says Richland County Extension Agent Tim Fine. “This will be a good show with a lot of information and new ideas for those who attend.”

The event begins Thursday morning, when vendors will have until noon to set up their display booths. Ag in the Classroom also will run from 8 a.m. until noon, along with a program designed for women.

At 11 a.m., Charlene Rich with the Montana Beef Council will discuss new, nutritious cuts of beef, with the cuts served as part of the lunch.

At 1 p.m., Dr. Michele Mostrom, North Dakota State University, will discuss the impact of oil wells on livestock production in the MonDak region. Following Mostrom’s talk, the next session, beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday will deal with the whys and ways to increase sheep production. At 3 p.m., Jude Capper, University of Washington assistant professor of Dairy Sciences, will talk about the carbon footprint of beef production. From 4-5 p.m., Capper will talk with high school science classes.

The Ag Days banquet, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Event Center, will feature Trent Loos, a farmer/rancher passionate about agriculture who has become known all across the country for his advocacy in dispelling the myths about agriculture.

“Trent Loos is the pioneer in the field of agriculture advocacy,” says Fine. “He is passionate about agriculture and he has done a lot to promote it. He is a good speaker and he brings a good message. He will tell us how we in production agriculture can do more to get out the positive aspects of what we do and how we do it.”

Loos will speak at 7 p.m. following the banquet, and this presentation will wrap up the Thursday activities for the MonDak Ag Days.

Friday’s Ag Days activities begin with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture

The day’s educational sessions include a presentation by the Army Corps of Engineers, a discussion on precision agriculture, making equipment more efficient, and a talk by a Sidney Sugars representative on the proper set up of a beet harvester.

Mark Jan. 12 and 13 on your calendar and plan to attend all or a portion of this year’s presentations, visit with agricultural businesses and learn what’s up and coming, and enjoy all the event has to offer.