KSU Grazing Management School Held in Columbus

Grazing management is an integral part of sustainable livestock production. To help producers gain insight and knowledge to better manage their forage and livestock resources, K-State Research and Extension hosted over 40 livestock producers from Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. These farmers and ranchers attended an extension grazing school, held on Saturday, Oct 14. The grazing school was sponsored by and featured extension agents from Southwest Extension District, Cherokee County Extension and Wildcat Extension District.

The workshop was held at the Cherokee County 4-H Building in Columbus, Kan., and included classroom-style presentations on utilizing resources, proper soil fertility, livestock nutrient requirements and developing year around grazing systems. The highlight of the event was an opportunity to tour two unique, rotational grazing operations, as well as views the results of a fall fescue fertilization research demonstration plot. Participants reported this event increased their knowledge of grazing management practices, and that they planned to incorporate what they learned on their farms and ranches to increase profitability.

A similar school is planned for next fall in Parsons, Kansas. For more information about these and other livestock and forage topics contact Dale Helwig, Cherokee County office, (620) 429-3849; Chris Petty, Southwest District, (620) 223-3720; or Keith Martin, Wildcat Extension District, (620) 784-5337.