Grazing conference set in W.Va.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – “Grass THE Green Energy” is the theme for the 2013 Appalachian Grazing Conference March 8 and 9 in Morgantown at the Waterfront Place Hotel.
The registration fee for both days is $100 if paid by Feb. 6 and $125 if paid afterward. Single-day registration fee is $100. The discounted room rate of $89 plus tax per night is available to conference attendees until Feb.6.
“Seventy percent of agriculture in Appalachia is grass,” said Joe Gumm, Appalachian Grazing Conference Committee Chairperson. “Our goal is to have the farmer leave here better informed on how to manage their grass with new techniques and new advancements in livestock management.”
There will be presentations of interest to those with cattle, goats and sheep. Participants will be able to hear from America’s leading speakers on management strategies to increase profits.
Former West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass said, “Especially during these tough economic times, it’s important to make the most out of the resources you have.”
“The Appalachian Grazing Conference is a great opportunity to maximize the productivity of your grasslands and livestock.”
Conference topics include: “Pasture Management and Renovation”; “Managing Drought in Grazing Systems”; “Parasite Management in Beef Cattle”; and “Advanced Sheep Production for the 21st Century”.
Friday’s keynote speaker Dr. Gary Lacefield, will speak on “Grazing: Challenges and Opportunities.” Lacefield is a professor of Plant & Soil Science Extension and Extension Forage Specialist with the University of Kentucky. He is the past president of the American Forage and Grassland Council. In addition, he is the co-author of the book “Southern Forages” and writes a monthly column for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association magazine.
Bob Hendershot is the conference’s closing speaker. He will be discussing “Stockpiled Tall Fescue and Clover Management.” Hendershot was born in Morrow County, Ohio, and is a graduate of Ohio State University. He is employed by West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia University Extension Service, retired from the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service as the state Grassland Conservationist and is state Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Coordinator in Ohio. In addition, he was one of the founders of the Ohio Forage and Grassland Council and was recently presented with the Bob Evans Forage Leadership Award.
Conference registration forms can be found at your local West Virginia Conservation District, or by visiting www.grazeappalachia.org.
Because of the importance of the information being presented to grazing producers, many West Virginia Conservation Districts are offering scholarships to cover the conference fee. Find your local conservation district at www.wvca.us/districts, and contact them for more information regarding scholarships.
The Appalachian Grazing Conference is a cooperative effort of the Greene County Conservation District, Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts and West Virginia Conservation Agency.