Advanced Grazing School being offered April 2020

The emphasis of this workshop will not be on the right thing to do, but on ideas and information a producer can use to further their grazing program.

Students standing in a circle outside in the shade
Students at a grazing workshop in Lake City

Michigan State University Extension will be conducting an Advanced Grazing School April 9 and 10, 2020, in the eastern Upper Peninsula (Waishkey Bay Farm, 10135 W. Mills Rd, Brimley, MI 49715) in hopes of attracting graziers from across the state. This workshop is for graziers that have multiple years of experience, use a system of rotational grazing and want to further enhance the outcomes of their grazing efforts. The emphasis of this workshop will not be on the right thing to do, but on ideas and information a producer can use to further their grazing program. Therefore, it will be critical for each person to be prepared to look at their operations and be ready to write a work plan for the next year and the next 5 years. Each person will be expected to share some of their ideas and participate in the discussion.

Renowned grazing expert, Ben Bartlett will be the featured presenter. MSU Extension educators, Kable Thurlow and Frank Wardynski are organizing the activities and will share in teaching and leading group discussion. Also, MSU Extension Specialists Kim Cassida and Jason Rowntree will give presentations.

The goal of the workshop is to have each participant become exposed to some of the newest information on grazing and to leave with a workbook of action plans for their operation. This workshop wants to help you carve out the time, be exposed to new thinking, and most importantly, put a plan together to move your grazing program to a new level of performance. Additionally, this workshop will become the initial planning session for summer pasture walks at various locations across the state.

Participants can register at https://events.anr.msu.edu/AdvancedGrazingSchool/

The cost will be $150 for the first farm participant if signed up by March 29, and then $175 for the remaining signup period. Group discounts will be given to farms bringing more than one participant. Registration deadline is April 5. For more information contact Kable Thurlow at 989-426-7741 or thurlowk@msu.edu or Frank Wardynski at 906-884-4386 or wardynsk@msu.edu.

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