Hay Expo hosted by innovative dairy producers         

[May 24, 2007]  WESTGATE, Iowa -- The Farm Progress Hay Expo, scheduled for June 20-21 near Westgate in northeast Iowa, has grown to be the Midwest's largest two-day hay event. The Hay Expo is designed to give alfalfa and forage producers an intensive, one-stop learning and shopping opportunity.

The host farm for the 2007 expo is Top Deck Holsteins, owned by Roger and Judy Decker and sons Jason, Derek and Justin. The Deckers farm 1,750 acres, milk 650 dairy cows and raise 700 dairy heifers, calves and dry cows.

The Deckers manage their 350 acres of alfalfa to maximize milk production. "We shoot for the best relative feed value we can get," says Roger. "Timely cutting and harvesting are two key factors."

Make energy and cow bedding from manure

The Decker dairy operation has an unusual feature: Manure from the cows is run through a methane digester. Methane from the manure is used to power a generator, which produces electricity for Alliant Energy. The manure coming out of the digester goes through a separator system to produce a dried manure byproduct, which is recycled and used as cattle bedding.

These facilities and equipment are located on the farmstead directly adjacent to the show activities. Tours of the digester and separator facility will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. A representative from Alliant Energy as well as a Decker family member will be available to explain the methane digester and separator system.

The Hay Expo will feature a 10-acre exhibit field with displays from the major and shortline hay and forage equipment manufacturers, seed, building and storage facility suppliers, and numerous related product suppliers. Exhibitors plan to showcase balers, disc mower conditioners, tedders, rakes, telehandlers, bale stackers, forage seed and more. Show visitors can talk to company representatives and others about seed, hay marketing, crop protection, production, conservation and other topics.

More than 200 acres of alfalfa will showcase mowing, conditioning, baling and silage demonstrations. Visitors will see side-by-side operational comparisons of the various equipment brands in the field demonstrations.

Hours for the 2007 Farm Progress Hay Expo will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20-21. The show site is located just west of Westgate, Iowa, on County Road C33. Admission is free; parking is $5 per vehicle. The public is welcome. A map and driving directions to the show site and more information are available online at the frequently updated show site, www.hayexpo.com, or call 866-264-7469.

For hotel information for the show area, visit www.hayexpo.com/hotels.

[Text from news release received from Farm Progress Hay Expo]