Ranch Management for Successful Winter and Year-Round Grazing of Beef Cattle

Dr. Jim Gerrish, well-known rancher, researcher, grazing educator, and 

co-founder of the Missouri Grazing School returns to Kansas this August to kick off Amazing Grazing II for Ruminants Both Great and Small. The two-day workshop entitled "Ranch Management for Successful Winter and Year Round Grazing of Beef Cattle" will be held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM August 13-14, 2014 at Topeka Ramada, 420 SE 6th St. Topeka, KS. 

 Better management of ranch resources leads to increased performance of the grass and forages, and Dr. Gerrish will help producers make better choices for their pasture situation. Many ranchers are currently being forced to de-stock due to drought conditions and lack of forage. Ranch managers will learn valuable grazing information and management skills that will improve production and profitability.

 

When asked why a producer should attend this meeting, Gerrish replied, "Winter feed costs are generally the biggest determinant of profitability in the cow-calf business, but they don't have to be.  This workshop will get you well down the road to planning for and implementing year-round grazing on your farm or ranch."

 

Gerrish continued, "Throw off the hay addiction shackles of iron and oil and feel the freedom of grazing in the grass. We will explore alternatives for extending the grazing season in different environments, effectively grazing winter range and pasture, as well as livestock selection and management to make sure the cows work for you, rather than you working for your cows."

 

Topics to be covered include: extending the grazing season, managing and planning for successful winter grazing including nutritional requirements, using winter annuals, effectively utilizing winter pastures for animal performance, managing animal costs, and how calving date effects profitability.

 

Program Director Mary Howell reports, "Amazing Grazing II was written specifically to address many of the issues livestock producers keep asking for. Two days spent with Jim will be well-worth the time and money invested." Howell goes on to say, "Ranch managers will learn valuable grazing information and management skills that will improve production and profitability of their livestock enterprise."

 

Save $10.00 with Earlybird Registration. Ends July 31!

 

Cost for the workshop is $90.00, which includes lunch and snacks on both days as well as handouts. Please contact Mary Howell at kfu.mary@gmail.com, or call 785-562-8726 with questions. A block of rooms is being held at the Topeka Ramada, call 785-234-5400. Please check the website often for other upcoming events, and to sign up for our news as it happens.

 

Along with Kansas Farmers Union and the Kansas Graziers Association, Amazing Grazing II partners include: Kansas NRCS, Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas State Research and Extension, Farm Credit, and the Kansas Grazing Land Coalition, with funding from North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Register Now!