GRAZING SCHOOL
Saturday, August 8
The Grazing School is organized by Mass Grass, a statewide grazing group of Massachusetts livestock farmers & educators from agricultural organizations, including New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, NOFA/Mass, UMass Extension & the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Mass Grass also sponsors a series of Pasture Walks and Field Schools for 2009 (see below). For more information about Mass Grass visit www.massgrass.org, or contact Kate Rossiter, NOFA/Mass Extension Staff, 413-498-2721, krossiter@nofamass.org.
Grazing School workshops are open to all NOFA Summer Conference participants.
Saturday 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Grazing 101: Sarah Flack, Grazing Consultant
Using real examples of different types of grazing systems, this workshop will cover the basic principals of how plants grow, how to avoid over grazing damage, what pre-grazing height to choose, how short to graze, why variable recovery periods are essential, what to signs of overgrazing damage are. We'll discuss methods to estimate or measure how much dry matter there is per acre, how many acres are needed, and how big the paddocks need to be. Other topics will include pasture design, building Lanes, Fence and Water systems and how to avoid common grazing mistakes.
Pasturing in Extreme Conditions: Dr. Stephen Herbert, Professor of Agronomy, University of Massachusetts
Extreme pasture conditions are often related to heat and drought. Cool, wet conditions and too much forage can also create problems. The goal is to optimize grazing intensity to best meet the needs of the animal and the long term productivity of the pasture. Options for meeting or coping with extreme conditions will be discussed.
Saturday 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Alternative Health Practices for Livestock: Michael Keilty, Sustainable Agriculture Researcher/Educator, University of Connecticut
Important Concerns regarding food safety, particularly antibiotic and chemical residues in meat, milk, and other lifestock foods have stimulated a renewed interest in alternative methods of promoting llivestock health. We will examine many alternative health practices current being examined by farmers, researchers and veterinarians.
Plant Species Diversity and Pasture Management: Matt Sanderson, Agronomist, Pennsylvania ARS USDA I will present new research information on the degree of plant species diversity that is found in pastures of New England and the northeastern USA as a whole. I will also present new research information on how to manage complex mixtures of forage grasses, legumes, and other plants to increase pasture productivity and persistence.
Saturday 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Cheese From Sunlight and Rain: Profitable 100% Grass-fed Dairying Using Bronze Age Genetics in New Jersey!: Jonathan White, Farmer
Cheesemaker Jonathan White shares his ideas on how 200 acres of pasture can produce a nice living for a family. By combining Bronze Age Kerry genetics with "modern" dairy breeds, he has developed the Bobolink Black Grazer, a small, sturdy, grass-smart breed that produces cheese, suckled veal, and 100% grass-fed beef, on just sunlight and rain…and salt.
Comparing Grass-fed Steers to Grain-fed Steers: Tom Gallagher, Cornell Extension Specialist This workshop will present the results of an on farm cattle feeding trial comparing eleven grass-fed steers to eleven grain finished steers. Winter feeding of the grass-fed group utilizing brown mid-rib sorgham sudan will be discussed in detail along with sensory analysis of the finished meat products.
Producing Natural, Local Meat for Consumers (Summary of Livestock Producers Survey): Joseph Bonelli, Research Economist, University of Connecticut, and Kristen Castrataro, Marketing and Production Specialist, University of Rhode Island
Concerns regarding food safety, farm preservation, and farm viability have stimulated renewed interest in the production of local food. The grant is designed to increase engagement of Cooperative Extension Personnel in CT, MA and RI, Dept of Agriculture and other State and local agencies, NGO's and Farmers in the production, processing, and marketing of natural Local Meat.
Saturday 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Pasture walk at the UMass Pasture Center: Dr. Stephen Herbert, Professor of Agronomy, University of Massachusetts
UMass Pasture Research Center, Deerfield, Mass.
We will view 28 pasture blends intensively grazed, innovative fencing, pasture grazing intensification, and summer annuals for grazing.
Grazing School Sponsors
Azuluna, LLC
Farm Aid
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
Northeast Center for Risk Management Education
Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance
Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter
River Valley Fencing
University of Massachusetts Extension
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Upcoming Grazing Events Sponsored by Mass Grass
Visit www.massgrass.org for a complete list of 2009 Grazing Events, including Pasture Walks and Field Schools.