Foraging Into the Future will address key livestock and grazing issues

The eighth Foraging into the Future conference is set to take place in Swift Current on December 3 and 4, and the biennial event has become well known as southwest Saskatchewan’s leading conference for livestock producers and graziers.

This year’s theme “Using Livestock to Improve Soil Health” will feature speakers and expertise from around the world, including Colorado seedstock producer Kit Pharo and a video presentation of Australian soil scientist Dr. Christine Jones. The event also highlights local ranchers speaking about their grazing experiences.

The event includes a trade show and networking opportunities with industry experts and livestock producers. Participants will have an opportunity to interact and discuss innovative and critical topics including nutrient management, cocktail forage mixtures, mob-grazing, crossfencing, annual and alternate forages, building healthy soils, and current producer programs.

“Throughout the many ups and downs in the forage and livestock sectors over the past 16 years, Foraging into the Future has been an important forum for information for ranchers in the southwest and throughout Saskatchewan,” explains Trevor Lennox, one of the organizers from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. “This year we’re collaborating with the Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to deliver useful information that producers can take home and apply to their own operations,” he continues.

Keynote speaker Kit Pharo will be sharing his thoughts on what it means to ranch for profit in the 21st century. “A cow ought to be supporting the ranch, instead of being supported by the ranch,” states Pharo, who focuses on net profitability rather than production.

Another topic being explored that hits close to home is the transition of PFRA community pastures to private grazing entities. “As one of the first pastures divested, we had a bit of a learning curve” says rancher and Lone Tree pasture patron Steven Grant of Orkney. “We’re willing to share some of our experiences if it can somehow help the next guys down the line,” Grant explains, and will share a presentation at Foraging into the Future along with pasture manager Nick Schmidt.

The event has a target attendance of 200 audience members and will take place in Swift Current at the Credit Union iPlex on December 3 and 4.

For more information, contact the Ministry of Agriculture at 306-778-8285