Last year we initiated a program called the North Carolina Grazing Schools which was very well received. There were three schools for beef producers involving over 80 students. The school enhances the management skills producers need to manage a pasture-based beef production system. In evaluating the program, students unanimously indicated that they would recommend the course to other producers, and 95% said that it was worth the money they spent. The producers indicated that the impact the course had on their ability to manage their systems rated a 4.4, on a scale where 1 was no impact and 5 was great impact. Due to the great success last year, we have planned a series of schools for this year.
Developing Sustainable Beef Production Systems
Agricultural sustainability is about the natural and human resources that provide the basis for agriculture: our soils, our water, our people. When we practice agriculture we must consider profitability, the environment and our communities together in guiding our actions. The options that will be available to future generations will depend upon the use of sound agricultural practices today.
Grasslands provide a valuable natural resource in our state. Ruminant animals like beef cattle can obtain 100% of their nutrients from forage. Nutrients provided from harvested forages and concentrate feeds usually cost 2 - 4 times more than grazed pasture. The balanced pasture ecosystem involves managing grass and grazing animals in such a way as to provide environmental benefits in the form of nutrient cycling, soil improvement and reduced runoff.
The sound management of the pasture ecosystem offers opportunity for cost reduction, improvement of feed quality and the potential for increased profitability. During the past several years producers have begun to rediscover the exciting potential that grazing can provide. These grazing management schools are designed to teach the basic principles of pasture ecology, animal behavior and grazing management that can have a positive impact on profit, the environment and the community.
Format of the North Carolina Grazing Schools
The North Carolina Grazing Schools are for producers and ag-professionals who are interested in improving their skills in producing and utilizing forages with any class of grazing livestock (beef, dairy, goats, sheep). The school format is a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on field activities, and each school is limited to 30 students. Students will be given a notebook with worksheets, lesson plans, and reference materials. The schools will be conducted rain or shine, so students will need to be prepared for inclement weather.
The two-day schools will begin at 8:30 am on the first day, and finish at 4:30 pm on the second day, while the one-day schools will go from 8 am until 5 pm. Lunches will be provided at the school site. On the evening of the first day (for two-day schools), there will be an informal discussion session among students and instructors. Producers are encouraged to bring aerial maps of their farms, and any ideas they want to share with the other participants.
What Will Students Learn?
Upon completion of the grazing school, participants will be able to:
1997 NC Grazing Schools Schedule:
April 4
Reedy Creek Field Laboratory, Raleigh
This one-day school will target goat and sheep producers. All the basic grazing school topics will be covered, with a focus on grazing winter annuals. The hands-on activity will utilize meat goats grazing winter annuals. Cost $30.00.
June 4-5
Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory, Raleigh
This school will immediately follow the NCSU's Dairy Field Day scheduled for June 4. The focus of the school will be incorporating grazing into dairy nutrition programs. The hands-on activity will be with two milking herds grazing a variety of pastures. Cost $30.00
June 19-20
Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs
This two-day school will feature discussion of ongoing research with stream protection and grazing management on mountain pastures. Hands-on grazing activity will be with growing beef cattle. Cost $50.00.
July 9-10
Center For Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), Goldsboro
This two-day school will be held at the model operation (called the Eastern North Carolina Beef Cattle Project) being developed at the CEFS. School emphasis will be on grazing management of summer perennials (bermudagrass) and annuals (millet and crabgrass), with special reference to use of animal waste products in grazing systems. Hands-on grazing activity will be with the various groups of animals present on a cow/calf operation. Cost $50.00.
Nov 13-14
Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory, Raleigh
This two-day school will be held at the Lake Wheeler Road Beef and Dairy Units. The emphasis will be the use of stockpiled fescue in winter grazing programs, and ongoing research with stockpiled fescue and stream protection will be discussed. The hands-on activity will be with groups of developing beef heifers. Cost $50.00.
Dec 4-5
Upper Piedmont Research Station, Reidsville
This two-day school will emphasize grazing management for winter rye and stockpiled fescue. Ongoing research with stockpiled fescue and winter rye will be discussed. The hands-on activity will be with groups of developing beef heifers. Cost $50.00.
Project Coordinators:
Dr. Jim Green, Extension Pasture and Forage Specialist, Crop Science
Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, Extension Specialist, Meat Goats, Animal Science
Dr. Paul Mueller, Extension Agronomist, Sustainable Farming Systems, Crop Science
Dr. Matt Poore, Extension Ruminant Nutritionist, Animal Science
Dr. Steve Washburn, Extension Dairy Specialist and Departmental Extension Leader, Animal
Science
For additional information, please contact:
Martha Hufham, Department of Animal Science, 919/515-2762, or
Marie Smith, Department of Crop Science, 919/515-5821.
or write:
Martha Hufham
NC Grazing Schools
Box 7621, NCSU
Raleigh, NC 27695-7621