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Lower Feed Costs, Improve Livestock Profits By Attending A Management-Intensive Grazing School In Southern Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, MO.
Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) Schools in southwest and southern Missouri have been scheduled for 2019.
Producers who follow the MiG system (rotational grazing) manage for both the benefit of livestock and forage. Livestock graze in each pasture long enough to harvest the forage but are moved before eating too much of the leaf area.
The result is lower feed costs and improved forage production. That means more money in the pocket of the beef cattle producer.
“Cost control, not the amount of production, separates profitable from unprofitable farm operations. Through an MIG system, you can keep your cost down and production in most cases will increase, all while helping out the environment,” said Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy field specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
In addition, attendees may be eligible to receive cost-share to help establish a MIG system. Attendance at a grazing school is one requirement to be eligible for state cost share programs.
UPCOMING CLASSES
• Halfway, Mo., April 23, 26, 27, 30, May 3, 2019 (evenings plus one Saturday). Contact: Dallas County SWCD at 417-417-345-2312, ext.3 or email: debbie.Henderson@swcd.mo.gov
• Hartville, Mo., April 30-May 1. Contact: Carol Ellis at 417-741-6195 ext. 3 or by email at carol.ellis@swcd.mo.gov.
• Mt Vernon, Mo., May 7, 8, 9, 2019 (daytime). Contact: Lawrence County Extension at 417-466-3102 or email ColeE@missouri.edu.
• Neosho, Mo., June 4, 5, 6, 2019 (daytime). Contact: Newton County SWCD at 417-451-1007, ext.3 o email Tracy.White@swcd.mo.gov.
• Ozark, Mo., June 11, 12, 13, 2019 (daytime). Contact: Christian County SWCD/NRCS at 417-581-2719, ext.3 or email Henry.Rauch@mo.usda.gov.
• Squires, Mo., June 17-19. Contact: Douglas County Extension Center at 417-683-4409.
• Houston, Mo., July 9-11. Contact: Sandy Wooten at 417-967-2028 ext. 3 or email sandra.wooten@swcd.mo.gov.
• Greenfield, Mo., September 9, 10, 11, 2019 (daytime). Contact: Cedar County SWCD at 417-276-3388, ext.3 or email Stephanie.Auffert@swcd.mo.gov.
• Marshfield, Mo., September 17, 18, 19, 2019 (daytime). Contact: Webster County SWCD at 417-468-4176 Ext. 3 or email Jody.Lawson@swcd.mo.gov.
• West Plains, Mo., October 8-10. Contact: Howell County Extension Center at 417-256-2391.
• Springfield, Mo., October 15, 16, 17, 2019 (daytime). Contact: Greene County SWCD/NRCS at 417-831-5246 Ext. 3 or email: Mark.Green@mo.usda.gov or Eric.Morris@swcd.mo.gov.
Handouts include the Missouri Grazing Handbook, Forages and Weeds of Pastures, Watering Systems for Graziers, Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers and a grazing stick that includes a wealth of information on it. Lunch each day is included.
Registration contacts are also specific to each location. There is a limit on attendance at each location, and the enrollment fee varies.
HISTORY OF SUCCESS
Grazing schools started in 1995. Since that time, the schools have been held at various locations, dates and in different formats to meet the diverse needs of livestock producers.
To date, thousands of individuals have attended the schools to learn about the basic principles and practices of MiG. The schools have also helped livestock producers qualify for thousands of dollars in various cost-share programs through NRCS or FSA.
USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Missouri Extension and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts sponsor the MiG school. University of Missouri Extension specialists from southwest Missouri teach many of the sessions during the school. ∆
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