RINCESS ANNE, MD – (December 20, 2017) – How do you go about developing a winter grazing system? That will be the focus of a workshop, to be held January 25 and 27, 2018, at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). The theme is Year-Round Grazing – From Pasture Establishment to Grazing Management and Soil Health. Dr. Chris Teutsch is the featured speaker.
Feed typically represents 50-80% of total costs in livestock production systems. Winter grazing, however, properly planned and implemented, can dramatically reduce feed costs without sacrificing productivity. Teutsch, a University of Kentucky forage extension specialist, will train his presentation on building a year-round grazing system for small ruminant and beef production. He will discuss the use of both annual and perennial cool and warm-season forage species to develop year-round systems.
Other workshop topics include guidelines for seeding new pastures and renovating old pastures, the importance of warm-season grasses in year-round grazing systems, nutrient management, legal considerations for farming operations and evaluating pasture soil health.
The workshop concludes with a soil health evaluation and a field tour of the UMES year-round grazing demonstration project site. Workshop participants will see how the winter pasture paddocks have been established as well as the accumulated stages of growth from the previous season.
The workshop will be repeated on Saturday, January 27, to accommodate those not able to attend on Thursday, January 25. Participants can earn 4 Maryland Nutrient Management CEU’s and 4.5 Certified Crop Advisor CEU’s!
Registration is required. The $20 registration fee covers a box lunch and all workshop materials. Participants should bring appropriate attire for cold weather and a walk through the pastures. Contact the UMES Small Farm Program at 410-651-6210/6070 with any questions or if you need special assistance.
The Year-Round Grazing Workshop is the joint effort of the Small Farm and Small Ruminant programs. To register or to view the workshop agenda, visit year-roundgrazing2018.eventbrite.com.
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Suzanne Waters Street, agriculture communication specialist, UMES – University of Maryland Extension, 410-651-6084, sstreet@umes.edu.
