FROM WVU EXTENSION SERVICE

 

A grazing school is planned for Feb. 4- 5 in Harrison County and is open to live-stock farmers in north-central West Virginia.

 

It will take place at the Johnstown Community Building and Ike Maxwell farm near Lost Creek. This location has a couple of advantages.

 

First, a heated building for classroom type work, and second, the farm will still be grazing cows at the time of the school.  

 

This will give us the opportunity to measure available stockpiled forage to predict how much longer the cows can be grazed. We will also be able to evaluate nutritional status of cows that have not been fed hay all winter for body condition and thriftiness.  

 

In addition to winter grazing and stockpiling, 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 and water equipment, stocking rate,  developing a grazing plan, soil testing and fertility and several other topics.  

 

Instructors will include WVU Extension Specialists Ed Rayburn and Kevin Shaffer, Mason County Agent Ben Goff, and Extension Agents from the north-central counties, including Jody Carpenter, Jennifer Friend, Tasha Harris, Bruce Loyd, and John Murray. 

 

Cost is just $25 and will include lunch both days, as well as reference materials to take home.

 

To register, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3ESUHuy.

 

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 or have questions by calling 304-624-8650 or email Jennifer Friend at jefriend@mail.wvu.edu.