Nebraska Grazing Conference Offered Aug. 11-12 in Kearney

Nebraska Grazing Conference Offered Aug. 11-12 in Kearney

July 24, 2009

An in-depth look at grazing — from becoming a grass farmer to the production and marketing of grass-finished beef — will be featured at the 2009 Nebraska Grazing Conference Aug. 11-12 at the Kearney Holiday Inn.

Two dozen speakers from four states including faculty from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources will educate farmers, ranchers, wildlife managers and advisers on how to be economically successful through grazing, enhancing wildlife habitat and conservation.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 11. Steve Waller, dean of UNL's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, will give opening remarks.

The first featured speaker will be "The Stockman Grass Farmer" editor Allan Nation of Mississippi, who on Aug. 11 will address Nebraska's competitive advantage in the grazing industry and on Aug. 12 will give a presentation on grass-finished production and marketing. Nation has written eight books about grazing and pasture management and has been editor of the grazing publication since 1977.

Rick Danvir, wildlife manager for Deseret Land and Livestock in Utah, will discuss profitably ranching for livestock and wildlife.

Also addressing wildlife issues in connection with grazing operations will be Bob Budd of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust. Budd will talk about impacts of grazing conservation practices and fence/water development on livestock and wildlife.

Justin Derner, a USDA rangeland management specialist in Wyoming, will review research results from several studies that examined rotational versus continuous grazing systems.

Other topics include invasive species, winter supplementation, longevity of replacement heifers, pasture leases, designing fence and water systems, becoming a grass farmer, mentoring, the 100 Cow Program, and passing on the legacy (in this case, father to daughter).

Cowboy poet R.P. Smith of Broken Bow will speak at the Tuesday evening banquet.

Registration is $75 if postmarked by Aug. 1 and $90 afterward. Fees include two lunches, break refreshments, an evening banquet and materials. One-day registration is $40 before Aug. 1 and $50 afterward and does not include the evening banquet. Walk-ins are welcome.

Reduced registration fees are offered for full-time high school or college students. Registration fees will be paid by CASNR for students who will still be in high school this fall and pre-register by the Aug. 1 deadline.

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, go to the Center for Grassland Studies Web site, , 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, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition.

Lori McGinnis
IANR News Service

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