The Sept. 24-25 Fall Kentucky Intermediate Grazing School, hosted by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, promises an immersive learning experience for livestock producers. 

The program is in its second year after undergoing significant updates to intensify its focus on the crucial role of soils and hands-on application in successful grazing management. Grazing experts aim to enhance profitability through a blend of field activities and classroom instruction over two days.  

“Kentucky producers of all experience levels are welcome at our intermediate grazing school,” said Chris Teutsch, forage specialist and extension associate professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “While this school is geared toward those who have already started improved grazing management, our topics and discussions will benefit producers at all stages, especially beginners, with a more applied approach to grazing management.” 

The first day features assessing forage availability, using grazing math to determine stocking rates, managing tall fescue, plant and forage identification and plant root systems. Attendees will also learn about portable and seasonal water systems, strategies for assessing pasture productivity, using electric fencing to manage forage and practical demonstrations for setting up small paddocks.  

Participants will travel to various UK research farms for on-farm demonstrations, selecting the most relevant farm or area of interest. Farm sessions will explore electric fencing for grazing control, offset strategies, soil and hay sampling, effective forage plant cultivation and grazing management strategies. The day culminates in discussions surrounding appropriate forage species selections and strategies to create a holistic grazing system, such as stockpiling fescue for the winter.  

The second day features discussions on the importance of shade in grazing systems, implications of drought conditions on forage and livestock, nutrient cycling through the soil and optimizing existing forage resources. The program concludes with participants discussing their demonstration areas, frost seeding and using annuals for extending the grazing season. 

The event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 24, and Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Woodford County Extension Office, 184 Beasley Road, Versailles, KY 40383.  Registration costs $60 per participant and ends Sept. 22. To register and purchase online, visit https://2025IntermediateGrazing.eventbrite.com.

To register by mail, send a $60 check payable to KFGC at the following address: Caroline Roper, UKREC, 348 University Drive, Princeton, KY 42445. Please specify "2025 Fall Grazing School" in the check memo line.

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Writer: Caroline Roper, caroline.roper@ca.uky.edu       

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.