While Penn State's Ag Progress Days is renowned for it's field-full of exhibits plus machine technology demonstrations, this week's APD will have a host of events aimed at giving farmers and landowners plenty of valuable take-home information. Here's a sampling of what's the thought-provoking presentations that'll be given at the Ag Sciences Exhibit Building theatre at the Russell Larson Ag Research Center, nine miles southwest of State College on state Route 45.

Tuesday, Aug. 16

10 a.m. "Attack of the Stink Bugs: What They Are, Where They Came From, and What to Do," by Steve Jacobs, senior extension associate in entomology.

HEAR YE: Hearings, forums and hot topics are covered at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16, 17 and 18.

11 a.m. "Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed Beef: What's the Difference?" by Penn State Extension beef specialist John Comerford, associate professor of dairy and animal science.

2 p.m. "Biotechnology in the Barnyard," by Terry Etherton, distinguished professor of animal nutrition and head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science. 

2:30 p.m. "The Environmental Footprint of Large Beef Feedlots," by John Comerford, extension beef specialist and associate professor of dairy and animal science.

3 p.m. "Can Low-Protein Feeding Reduce Ammonia Emissions from Dairy Manure?" by Alexander Hristov, associate professor of dairy nutrition.

Wednesday, Aug. 17

10 a.m. Pa. House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting on the brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive pest that has caused tens of millions of dollars in crop losses in Pennsylvania and other states.

10:30 a.m. U.S. Reps. Tim Holden and Glenn Thompson and Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White will discuss agriculture and conservation in Pennsylvania, followed by a Q&A session on conservation programs that are available to the state's agriculture community. Note: This forum will be in the red barn.

1 p.m. "The Clean Water Act and What it Means for Pennsylvania's Producers," by Kristen Saacke Blunk, director of the Penn State Ag and Environment Science and Policy Center, and Ross Pifer, director of the Penn State Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center.

2 p.m. "Cows, Cash, and Communities: The True Value of Dairy Farms," by Lisa Holden, associate professor of dairy science, and Rebecca White, senior project associate in dairy and animal science.

2:30 p.m. "A Within-Herd Genetic Trend Demonstration Tool for Dairy Farms," by Chad Dechow, associate professor of dairy cattle genetics.

3 p.m. "Efficient Strategies to Reduce Discomfort in Livestock and Poultry," by Ernest Hovingh, extension veterinarian, and Eva Wallner-Pendleton, poultry pathologist.

3:30 p.m. "Is Antibiotic Resistance Increasing or Decreasing on our Farms?" by Penn State Extension veterinarian Robert Van Saun, professor of veterinary science, and Bhushan Jayarao, professor of veterinary science and director of Penn State's Animal Diagnostic Lab.

4 p.m. "Protecting Water Supplies Near Marcellus Gas Drilling," by Bryan Swistock, extension water resources specialist.

Thursday, Aug. 18

10 a.m. "Protecting Water Supplies Near Marcellus Gas Drilling," by Bryan Swistock, extension water resources specialist.

11a.m. "Attack of the Stink Bugs: What They Are, Where They Came From, and What to Do," by Steve Jacobs, senior extension associate in entomology.

2 p.m. "Animal Welfare, Food Safety, and Quality: Contemporary Meat Processing," by Chris Raines, assistant professor of meat science and technology.

2:30 p.m. "Food Safety Strategies to Reduce On-Farm Pathogens," by David Wolfgang, extension veterinarian, and Patricia Dunn, poultry pathologist.

3 p.m. "Anatomy of a Recall -- What Does it Mean and Why Do They Happen?" by Chris Raines, assistant professor of meat science and technology.

For more APD information, visit the website at http://apd.psu.edu. Or, Twitter the event with the hashtag #agprogress.