MU Extension Hosts Free Native Grass Management Conferences In July

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

   One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to increase forage for livestock production and improve wildlife habitat is through proper management of pastures and grasslands, says Bob Pierce, University of Missouri associate extension professor in fisheries and wildlife.

   This summer, MU Extension will hold two free conferences on native grass management: July 12 at the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center near Mount Vernon and July 14 near Linneus at Cornett Farm, part of the MU Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center.

   The conferences are being held in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

   Native warm-season grasses provide a forage that lets producers maximize opportunities for improved grazing and haying on their property, says MU Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg. 

   “With increased fertilizer costs, native grasses are getting a new look and interest from producers wanting to incorporate these grasses into their grazing systems.”

   MU Extension agronomy specialist Valerie Tate says the conferences will feature presentations and expertise from a variety of organizations, including MU, MDC, NRCS and the University of Tennessee’s Center for Grasslands Management.

   Topics  include managing native grasses for grazing and haying, updated economic budgets that producers will find useful, cost-share opportunities and the conservation benefits of native grasses.

   There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided, but participants need to register for either program at bit.ly/3yPfX4n .

   For more information, contact the MU Extension Center in Stone County at 417-357-6812 or Valerie Tate at the MU Extension Center in Linn County at 660-895-5123.

   Learn about managing native grasses on your property from the MU/MDC Native Grass Extension Project at bit.ly/3PhmWst. ∆

 Cows at MU Cornett Farm grazing a 2-year-old stand of native warm- season grasses as part of an MU research project.