BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 24, 2009 – Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council will host the 2010 Winter Forage Conference at four locations on Jan. 25-28. The conference's focus will be "Managing Risk in Grazing Systems" and will feature grazing innovator Greg Judy of Clark, Mo.
The daylong conference will be repeated at four locations:
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the conference will adjourn at 3:45 p.m. each day.
"These conferences will provide an ideal opportunity for all livestock producers to understand the application of holistic, high-density grazing to improve profitability and animal performance," said Gordon Groover, Extension farm business management specialist. "Mr. Judy’s afternoon discussion will focus on his knowledge and more than a decade of experience building and maintaining relationships on more than 1,400 acres of leased land and 10 different landlords."
In addition to his experience direct-marketing grass-fed beef, pork, and lamb, Judy has authored No Risk Ranching: Custom Grazing on Leased Land and Comeback Farms: Rejuvenating Soils, Pastures and Profits with Livestock Grazing Management.
The program aims to motivate livestock producers to consider alternatives in order to improve animal performance and overall production, improve forage quality and quantity, and ultimately increase farm profitability. Other speakers at the conference will cover a wide range of topics:
For more information or to register for the conference, contact Margaret Kenny at (434) 292-5331. The $25 early registration fee must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2009. After the New Year, the registration fee is $35 per person.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service are also sponsoring the conference.