Livestock producers have two opportunities this fall to learn more about profitable grazing systems. KFGC and the UK Master Grazer Program will offer the Kentucky Fall Grazing Conference Oct. 26 in Leitchfield and Oct. 27 in Winchester. “This year we are looking forward to some excellent speakers from UK, Missouri and as far away as Idaho,” said Chris Teutsch. “Profitable ruminant livestock production systems  include the soil, plant, and animal and conference participants are going to hear from experts specializing in all three!”

Ray Archuleta will speak about the living portion of the soil at both events. Archuleta is certified professional soil scientist with the Soil Science Society of America with more than 30 years of experience as a soil conservationist, water quality specialist, and conservation agronomist with the NRCS. During his tenure with the NRCS, he served in NM, MO, OR, and NC. After his retirement from the NRCS in 2017, he founded Understanding Ag, LLC, and Soil Health Academy. He also owns and operates a 150-acre farm near Seymour, Missouri with his wife and family.

Jim Gerrish, an independent grazing lands educator, consultant, and writer from Idaho, will speak about the role of extended grazing in profitable ruminant livestock operations. He currently lives in the Pahsimeroi Valley in central Idaho and works with numerous ranchers using both irrigated pastures and native rangeland.

Gerrish also works with livestock farmers in high natural rainfall environments. His experience includes more than 22 years of beef-forage systems research and outreach at  the University of Missouri. The University’s Forage Systems Research Center rose to national prominence because of his leadership. His research encompassed many aspects of plant-soil-animal interactions and provided a foundation for many of the basic principles of management-intensive grazing.

Kentucky speakers include UK beef specialist Les Anderson, UK agricultural economist Greg Halich, Adair county Ag agent Nick Roy and Adair County farmer Fred Thomas. Topics include right-sizing cows for profit, grazing myths and hay feeding strategies to build grazing system fertility.

Events begin at each location with registration at 7:30 a.m. local time and runs until 3:15 p.m. Participants should preregister for the events. Advance registration is $35 per person; day-of registration is $50 per person and students’ registration is $15. Use the following links to register: https://2022GrazingLeitchfield.eventbrite.com; https://2022GrazingWinchester.eventbrite.com. 

~Aimee Nielson, aimee.nielson@uky.edu