University of Illinois Dudley Smith Farm Hosts Ukrainian Farmers
A small group of Ukrainian Farmers toured East Central Illinois the latter part of August. The group visited GSI in Assumption to learn about grain handling systems. Other stops included the Fulk Grain Farms, Inc. providing them with an opportunity to visit with an American grain farmer. They were very interested in learning about tillage and planting equipment in the U. S. They visited the Kitchen Seed Company in Arthur to gain information about the seed industry.
One of the real highlights of their tour was an opportunity to visit the University of Illinois Dudley Smith Farm in Christian County. Linda Smith, County Director for the Christian County Extension Service and Ed Ballard, Retired University of Illinois Animal Systems Educator, hosted the Ukrainian farmers at the Dudley Smith Farm. Points of interest included the Miscanthus and Switchgrass biomass plots, Tropical Maize corn plot, and beef cattle rotational grazing systems. Two of the visitors have the contract to provide most of the beef sent to McDonald’s in the Ukraine. They were especially interested in the paddock design and water system for the beef grazing program.