Grazing School In Douglas County June 13-15

SPRINGFIELD — A “Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) School” is planned for the Douglas County Sale Barn on MO-5 in Squires from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 13, 14 and 15. However, space for the school is limited and advanced registrations are needed by June 3.

For this session in Ava, the cost is $165 for the first person from the farm and $75 for the second person from the same farm. Registration forms can be found at the Douglas County Extension Center located at 203 SE 2nd Avenue in Ava, requested by telephone at 417-683-1298 or found online at http://extension.missouri. edu/douglas.

MiG is also known as rotational grazing management. Producers who follow the MiG system manage for both the benefit of livestock and forage. Livestock graze in each pasture long enough to harvest the forage but are moved before eating too much of the leaf area.

The results are lower feed costs and improved forage production. That means more money in the pocket of the beef cattle producer.

Handouts include the “Missouri Grazing Handbook,” “Forages and Weeds of Pastures,” “Watering Systems for Graziers,” “Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers” and a grazing stick that includes a wealth of information on it. Lunch each day is also included.

In addition to more profits, attendees of this training may be eligible to receive cost-share to help establish a MiG system.

Grazing schools started in 1995. Since that time, the schools have been held at various locations, dates and in different formats to meet the diverse needs of livestock producers.

To date, thousands of individuals have attended the schools to learn about the basic principles and practices of MiG. The schools have also helped livestock producers qualify for thousands of dollars in various cost-share programs through NRCS or FSA.

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Missouri Extension and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts sponsor the MiG school. University of Missouri Extension specialists from southwest Missouri teach many of the sessions during the school.