A grazing school is planned for Feb. 3-4 in Barbour County and is open to livestock farmers in north central West Virginia.

 

It will take place at the Nestor farm near Belington. Classroom type work will be held in a heated shop on the farm, and field exercises will be done in the adjacent pastures on the farm.

 

They may or may not be still grazing at the time of the workshop, but there will be plenty to see and do whether they are grazing or not. Even though this school is being held in the winter, winter grazing and stockpiling are just a small portion of what will be covered.

 

The school will cover many areas needed to develop a grazing plan for the growing season. These include grazing principles, forage budgeting, forage species and selection, temporary fencing, water equipment, stocking rate, developing a grazing plan, soil testing, fertility and several other topics.

 

Instructors will include WVU Extension Specialist Kevin Shaffer, Jackson County Agent Ben Goff, and Extension Agents from northcentral counties, including Jody Carpenter, John Murray, Jennifer Friend and Bruce Loyd.

 

Cost is $50 and will include lunch both days, as well as some reference materials to take home.

 

To register, visit bit.ly/2023WVUGrazingSchool. The registration fee can be paid the morning of the first day of the school.

 

Details about the location and what to bring to the school will be emailed to those who register.

 

Contact the WVU Harrison County Extension Office if you need help registering by calling 304-624-8650 or email Jennifer Friend, jefriend@mail.wvu.edu.