Grazing Short Series at MU Extension in Madison County

Are you interested in starting a herd of beef cattle?  Want to improve your existing herd?  Are you working on building your pasture for hay or other forage needs?

The University of Missouri Extension Center in Madison County will be offering a four-part series on Grazing Management.  This series has information to offer interested farmers at any experience level.  Each session will be held at the MU Extension Center at 137 W. Main St. in Fredericktown, and begin at 6 p.m.  

The first class, titled “Keeping Track of Finances for Farmers,” will be Sept. 1.  Agriculture Business Specialist Kevin Anderson will be teaching the course and discuss topics including financial statements, key financial terms, accounting software, and spreadsheets.  Branch President Wesley Royer and Loan Officer Kevin Griffon with First State Community Bank will also present on what it takes for a bank to make an agriculture loan and how bankers work in conjunction with cost-share programs.  

The second class, “Funding and Cost Share Programs” will be Sept. 8.  Resource Conservationist Selma Mascaro with USDA-NRCS and Farm Loan Officer LaDonna Petzoldt with USDA Farm Service Agency will present information on federal and state programs available to new and experienced farmers.  

The third session, “Soil Health, Pasture Species Selection and Weed Control,” will be presented by Agronomy Specialist Anthony Ohmes on Sept. 17.  This session will address the complexities of selecting forage systems such as suitability for your land, time available for management, interseeding and affordability.  Information on developing a management strategy with consideration of these factors will be available.  

The final class, “Forage and Nutrient Management” will be offered Sept. 24 by Livestock Specialist Joel Tatum. This final session will address feeding and supplements as well as production goals and meeting nutrient requirements at different classes while remaining economical.  The cost for the classes is $5 per session or $15 for the entire series.  

Please inquire about scholarships for this program.  RSVP to the MU Extension Center at 573-783-3303, klineju@missouri.edu, or 137 W. Main St., Fredericktown.  The University of Missouri is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer.  Contact us immediately if you need accommodations because of a disability, need to relay emergency medical information or need special arrangements if the building is evacuated.