December 21, 2005

Grazing conference offers livestock producers lots to chew on

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - An annual conference focusing on various aspects of using land for grazing takes place Jan. 25-26 at the Cave City Convention Center in Cave City, Ky.

The Heart of America Grazing Conference is geared toward livestock producers looking to make their pastures better. Conference sessions will cover grazing issues associated with beef cattle, dairy cows, horses and goats; forages; and watering systems.

The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is among 16 universities and agricultural organizations sponsoring the conference.

"This multi-state planned conference will provide information that will help livestock producers make improvements to grazing systems on their farms," said Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist. "More efficient production from animals grazing the pasture should be an expectation if the information learned is put into practice."

The conference opens with a 6 p.m. dinner and program on Jan. 25. Ed Ballard, a grazing specialist from Illinois, will answer the question, "Can We Graze Year-round in the Heart of America?"

General sessions and breakout sessions are scheduled all day on Jan. 26. Morning speakers and their topics include:

• Bob Coleman, University of Kentucky - "Pastures for Horses: Challenges and Opportunities."

• Bill Payne, Kentucky dairy producer - "From Traditional Confinement Dairying to Grazing Replacement Heifers."

• Greg Brann, grazing land specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture - "Grazing Program for Goats."

• Justin Sexten, University of Illinois - "Maximizing Production of Beef Cattle on Pastures."

• Don Ball, Auburn University - "Pastures for Wildlife."

• Mark Kennedy, grassland specialist, Natural Resources Conservation Service - "Animal Behavior: Impact on Grazing."

• Sid Brantly, Natural Resources Conservation Service - "Grazing Programs: Environmentally Friendly, Economically Sound and Agronomically Feasible."

Afternoon breakout sessions include:

• "Tall Fescue - Endophyte - Animal Relations"

• "Developing Fencing and Water Systems for Efficient Grazing"

• "Nontraditional Forages for Grazing"

• "Kentucky Producers Panel"

Conference registration is $15 per person per day or $25 per person for both days. A conference brochure with a registration form can be downloaded and then clicking on the conference link under "Upcoming Forage Events."

Cave City is located off I-65 in south-central Kentucky. For lodging information, contact the Cave City Tourist and Convention Commission at (800) 346-8908 or visit the commission's Web site.

Writer: Jennifer Culy, (765) 494-8402, jculy@purdue.edu

Source: Keith Johnson, (765) 494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Related Web site:
Purdue forage information

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