July 25, 2008

The 2008 Nebraska Grazing Conference will offer an in-depth look at grazing, from animal behavior to grassland monitoring. It will be Aug. 12-13 at the Kearney Holiday Inn.

Two dozen speakers from four states and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty will give farmers, ranchers, wildlife managers and advisers the opportunity to learn more about obtaining economic success through grazing, enhancing wildlife habitat and conservation.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 12 with sessions starting at 10 a.m. The conference will end mid-afternoon the next day.

Tom Hansen, North Platte rancher and state senator, will provide opening remarks. Key speakers and topics over the two days include: Allen Williams, chief executive office of Tallgrass Beef Co. headquartered in Sedan, Kan., marketing grass-fed beef; Bruce Anderson, UNL, legumes in grass pastures; Ray Bannister, Wibaux, Mont., modifying animal behavior; Charley Orchard, Land EKG Inc., Bozeman, Mont., land monitoring for management decisions; Rick Rasby, UNL, utilizing co-products in a beef livestock operation; John Ravenscroft, Three Bar Cattle Company, Nenzel, transitioning to organic production; and Jerry Volesky, UNL, North Platte, winter grazing strategies.

Topics covered in concurrent sessions the first day are grazing basics and grazing and wildlife, and on the second day, use of co-products in beef production systems and grassland monitoring.

On Aug. 12 following a 6 p.m. banquet, participants will have the option of attending informal discussions with some of the day's speakers. An evening session for students will cover grazing-related career opportunities. Company and organization exhibits for the grazing industry also will be available.the grazing industry.

The conference will conclude with a panel of experienced graziers who will discuss their management strategies for adapting to high feed and fuel costs.

Registration is $75 if postmarked by Aug. 1 and $90 after. Fees include two lunches, break refreshments, an evening banquet and materials. One-day registration is $40 before Aug. 1 and $50 after and does not include the evening banquet. Walk-ins are welcome. Reduced registration fees are offered for full-time high school or college students. For the first time this year, registration fee will be waived for students who will still be in high school this fall and who pre-register by the Aug. 1 deadline, compliments of the UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Hotel reservations can be made by contacting the Holiday Inn at (800) 248-4460 and specifying the Nebraska Grazing Conference for appropriate rates.

For more information about this conference, go to the Center for Grassland Studies Web site at http://www.grassland.unl.edu, contact the center at (402) 472-4101, e-mail grassland@unl.edu or contact a local UNL Extension office.

The event is sponsored by several public and private organizations, including the conference underwriters — UNL Center for Grassland Studies and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.