Grazing Academy

One way for producers to increase their forage and livestock production while, at the same time, decreasing the costs associated with fertilizing, harvesting and feeding hay is to let their livestock harvest more of their own feed from irrigated pastures. The University of Idaho Extension is gearing up to offer a four-day, boots-on-the-ground workshop on management-intensive grazing of irrigated pasture at the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center north of Salmon, Idaho. Designed for producers and other agricultural professionals, the Lost Rivers Grazing Academy offers plenty of practice along with management principles. Participants learn how to design and manage grazing cells, water systems and electric fencing. They apply low-stress cattle-handling techniques and find out how to reduce their winter feed costs by stockpiling standing forage and drawing on their livestock’s “fat banks.”  Instructor Chad Cheyney says producers can learn how to maximize alfalfa stubble: You can get wonderful grazing out of it longer, probably twice as long as people normally do and with the same benefits.”

The workshop’s $450-per-person registration fee includes continental breakfasts, meals and all materials. Farmers and ranchers who register as part of a management team pay $450 for the first team member and $225 for each additional member. The pre-registration deadline is Sept. 5. For more information, call UI Extension educators Jim Hawkins at (208) 879-2344 in Challis or Scott Jensen at (208) 896-4104 in Marsing. The event is held Sept. 11-14.