PANA, Illinois. – Producers in central Illinois received valuable information directly from University of Illinois experts during the 2024 Summer Field Day, held at the Dudley Smith Farm between Taylorville and Pana in Christian County. While enjoying a cool breeze under a tent to avoid the harsh summer sun, participants learned the latest research on the impact of soil quality and ways to improve soil health in their livestock, pasture and agricultural operations.

David Herbert of Herbert Family Farms in Owaneco shared his experience of converting his family business to a farm-to-table farm and provided insights into how he and his family learned marketing and direct-to-consumer sales. Herbert stressed the importance of being flexible to adjust pricing strategies and product offerings.

Dan Shike, professor and interim head of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, spoke about pasture management strategies, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of permanent grazing, rotational grazing, mob grazing, stockpile grazing and strip grazing. Shike also highlighted some of the new technologies available for fencing systems.

In between informative presentations and a fried chicken lunch, attendees honored Dudley Smith Farm Coordinator Ed Ballard for his decades of service to the University of Illinois and the Illinois farmers who have benefited from his expertise. In anticipation of his upcoming retirement, Ballard received an engraved crystal plaque from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and a certificate from State Rep. Brad Halbrook on behalf of the State of Illinois in recognition of his dedication to promoting and improving agriculture in Illinois.

“It has been a great pleasure and educational experience working with everyone involved in the Dudley Smith Initiative,” said Ballard. “We are fortunate to have many young researchers who began their careers with research projects on the Dudley Smith Farm. Their willingness to share their research data with producers was remarkable at our winter meetings and field days on the farm. The Dudley Smith Advisory Committee, in collaboration with staff on campus, has selected research topics that are considered very important and timely to our Illinois society. We are fortunate to have the Dudley Smith Initiative and research projects in central Illinois.”

Dudley Smith Farm is a 228-acre research site as part of the Dudley Smith Initiative, which supports innovative research and outreach that advances its fundamental goal of strengthening Illinois' agricultural system. For more information about the Dudley Smith Initiative, visit dsi.aces.illinois.edu.