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Illinois Forage Institute 2026

  • Spoon River College 23235 County Highway 22 Canton, IL, 61520 United States (map)

We’ve gathered all the help you need to run a successful forage and livestock operation together in one room.

This year’s Institute will focus on high-quality educational sessions and producer engagement, bringing together an expected 100 to 150 farmers, landowners, and industry professionals from across the state.

The Forage Expo provides a focused, engaged audience, creating valuable opportunities for meaningful conversations and strong connections between producers and industry partners like you.



Tentative Schedule for Forage Institute

9 AM: Check In

9:15 - 10 AM: How to Create a Successful Hay Business Panel Discussion

9:50: Check-in for Grazing Competition.

10 AM: Build a Regenerative Grazing System Contest begins

10:10 - 10:55 AM: Choose Your Session

  • Seed Selection and Management, by Laura Lant

  • Can You Make Money Grazing? The Toland Experiment, by Trevor Toland

  • Soil Testing Micronutrients, by Zach Cox

  • Hay Sampling, by Matt Gregor

  • Regenerative Grazing, by Logan Karcher, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition

11:10 - 11:55 AM: Choose Your Session

  • How I Graze in Corn and Soybean Country, by Elton Mau

  • How to Achieve the Perfect Graze, by Trevor Toland

  • Multi-Species Grazing, by Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois Extension

  • Black Vulture Nuisance Permits, by Jonathan Walls, the State Director of USDA APHIS Wildlife Services for Illinois

  • Virtual Grazing, Monte Bottens

Noon - 1:00: Lunch and Awards

1 - 1:45 PM: Choose Your Session

  • Cover Crops, by Laura Lant

  • How to Start a Regenerative Grazing System: The Basics, by Trevor Toland

  • Soil Testing Micronutrients, by Zach Cox

  • Hay Sampling, by Matt Gregor

  • Regenerative Grazing, by Logan Karcher, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition

1:55 - 2:40 PM: Choose Your Session

  • How I Graze in Corn and Soybean Country, by Elton Mau

  • Paddock Design, by Trevor Toland

  • Multi-Species Grazing, by Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois Extension

  • Black Vulture Nuisance Permits, by Jonathan Walls, State Director of USDA APHIS Wildlife Services for Illinois

  • Virtual Grazing, by Monte Bottens


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June 20

Dairy Grazing Pasture Walk: Quincy

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July 15

Heart of America Grazing Conference