Surveys are now arriving in mailboxes around the nation to help identify all active farms in the U.S. The National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS), which asks landowners whether or not they are farming and for basic farm information, is one of the most important early steps used to determine who should receive a 2012 Census of Agriculture report form.

What do weeds, grasshoppers, armyworms and feral hogs have in common? The answer is that all are pests that disrupt pasture production. And the control of all will be covered at the upcoming Dallas County Pasture Management program on March 30, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., according to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service experts conducting the program. The program will offer five continuing education units to holders of Texas Department of Agriculture private applicators licenses, three in the general category, one in integrated pest management and one in laws and regulations, said Dr. Vanessa Corriher, AgriLife Extension forage specialist and one of the program speakers.

After a year of drought, East Texas hay stocks remain low, making production efficiency ever more important, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert. On April 27, AgriLife Extension will offer a full day of training on hay production and purchasing that producers are not going to find anywhere else, said Dr. Vanessa Corriher, AgriLife Extension forage specialist. Held at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton, registration for the training is $60 and includes lunch, break refreshments and program materials.

Free educational seminars will be held in three states for farmers interested in learning about production practices and the benefits of growing Genuity Roundup Ready alfalfa. Presentations will include academics and industry spokespersons discussing practices for optimum alfalfa stand establishment and management, dairy rations and weed management recommendations.

Silage worries have producers asking a lot of questions as spring planting nears, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist. Dr. Brent Bean, AgriLife Extension agronomist, said he’s been getting a lot of calls from producers, dairymen and others who found themselves lacking good roughage sources last year for their cattle. “Most of the industry relies on corn silage, which did not do well last year during our extreme drought and high temperatures,” Bean said. “The industry is now looking for an alternative crop that uses less water and can tolerate high temperatures.”

The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) has announced its 20th Anniversary Celebration and Reception on Wednesday, Feb. 29 in Washington, D.C. FMC personnel will attend the event along with others who support the recycling of agricultural and pesticide containers. The event will begin at 4 p.m. (EST) and will include the following speakers: Congressman Bob Goodlatte; Nancy Fitz, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Bill Spencer, Arysta LifeScience North America LLC and chairman of the ACRC Executive Board.

The American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC) in conjunction with the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council will host the 1st Annual National Tour, May 17-18, 2012, in Rogers, Arkansas. The “Re-Inventing Green with Forages – Merging Environment & Economics” tour will feature tour stops at some of the leading forage operations in the region as well as educational presentations, AFGC National Hay Contest and a Cool Season Workshop.