| Kentucky
Grazing Conference Is Nov. 26 In Bowling Green | |
|
“We know that as we look at
profitability of beef cattle in Kentucky, the single biggest factor is how
much hay we feed and the cost of it. So the longer we can keep animals
grazing, the cheaper it is going to be for us to winter the animals.” Garry
Lacefield, UK Extension
forage scientist
| By Laura Skillman
PRINCETON,
Ky. (Nov. 6, 2002) – The third Kentucky Grazing Conference is Nov. 26 in
Bowling Green. “It’s
been a very successful, very well-attended conference,” said Garry
Lacefield, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service forage
specialist. “It is complementary to all our other grazing programs –
the grazing school, alfalfa conference and other conferences.” The
conference, located at the Western Kentucky University Expo Center, will
include a series of issues related to livestock grazing and is for those
who are heavily involved in grazing as well as those who are thinking
about getting started in various grazing programs. The program
is sponsored by the Kentucky Forage and Grasslands Council, the University
of Kentucky College of Agriculture, WKU, and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service. Registration
and exhibits open at 8 a.m. CT with WKU President Gary Ransdell kicking
off the conference at 8:45a.m. Exhibits
are educational or business and supply oriented. A discussion
on why a producer would be interested in rotational grazing will start the
program. “We want
to put the question directly to them and get them thinking about it,”
Lacefield said. “We want to address some of the research backed
information and some of the
farmer experiences of the benefits of rotational grazing.” Jimmy
Henning, also a UK Extension forage specialist, will discuss how to get
the most from pasture plants through grazing management as well as variety
management. Ken Johnson
and David Stipes, representatives of the Natural Resource Conservation
Service, will outline getting started in rotational grazing and financial
assistance available to farmers interested in improving their grazing
systems. “We think
it is very important that our grazing producers be aware of some of the
financial assistance available to them,” Lacefield said. Ed Ballard,
a county educator with the University of Illinois, will discuss the
economics of integrating grazing into cropping systems. The
afternoon will be devoted to options for extending the grazing season.
Topics to be discussed are warm season perennial grasses, ryegrass and
small grains and legumes. “We know
that the cheapest source of nutrients that our ruminants can have comes
from grazing,” Lacefield said. “We know that as we look at
profitability of beef cattle in Kentucky, the single biggest factor is how
much hay we feed and the cost of it. So the longer we can keep animals
grazing, the cheaper it is going to be for us to winter the animals.” Afternoon
presenters include Lacefield; Byron Sleugh, a WKU agronomist; Keenan
Turner, Pulaski County Extension agent for agriculture and natural
resources; and Mark Kennedy, grazing specialist for the NRCS in Missouri. During lunch
four awards will be presented for service: two for people in the public
sector, one for someone in industry and one for a producer. A silent
auction also will be held
to help offset expenses. Additionally, there is a $15 registration fee, or
$5 for students. The price includes proceedings from the presenters, other
educational materials, refreshments and lunch. The meeting
will conclude at 3 p.m. The WKU Ag
Expo Center is located south of the William Natcher Parkway on U.S. 31W.
Exit south on 31W and go to the first light, then make a left turn.
The Expo Center will be the first drive to the left. Writer: Laura Skillman (270) 365-7541 ext. 278 Source: Garry Lacefield, (270) 365-7541 ext. 202 Return to Main News page. |