Rotation grazing is recognized as a way to utilize pastures and forages more efficiently. To provide instruction on pasture production and grazing managent, a collaboration of experts from K-State Research and Extension and the Natural Resource Conservation Service will offer a two-day event, the ninth Eastern Kansas Grazing School. This year’s school will be held April 27-28, 2022, at the Princeton community building, 1449 US Highway 59, Princeton, Kan. The school will present information in the classroom and nearby pastures.
Bruno Pedreira, KSU forage agronomist, will help producers better understand how forages and grasses grow. He will discuss plant needs and the importance of rest to a plant, interseeding legumes to improve pasture performance, and practices to maintain a productive pasture.
Jaymelynn Farney, KSU beef systems specialist, will highlight the use of cover crops or alternative forages to fill production gaps of your primary forage. She will also be on hand to discuss the importance of matching animal needs to forages that are available.
Doug Spencer, Kansas NRCS range specialist, will present the Art and Science of Grazing, lead a pasture allocation exercise at the farm, and will discuss resource inventory and stocking rates.
This year, the grazing school will have a featured speaker, A.J. Tarpoff, KSU beef extension veterinarian. Tarpoff will talk about the importance of low stress cattle handling and what to look for when designing a facility. A demonstration utilizing a bud-box, designed by KSU ag engineer Dr. Joe Harner, will highlight low stress cattle handling.
Other topics to be presented during the school are watering systems, fencing systems, and brush control options. The watering systems presentation will be on farm, and various pumps using solar power will be shown and discussed.
The Grazing School is designed for adult learners and is limited to a maximum of 35 farms. Registration is $50 for the first person from the farm or ranch, additional persons from the same farm is $25 each. Registration includes snacks, lunch both days, and proceedings. Registration is on a first come first serve basis.
To register and pay online, see www.frontierdistrict.k-state.edu, or send registration form and check to Frontier District Extension, PO Box 400, Lyndon, KS 66451. For more information, contact Rod Schaub, Frontier District agent, at 785-828-4438 or email rschaub@ksu.edu.
