The Noble Foundation's popular Grazing School is set for Oct. 18-20 at the Foundation’s campus in Ardmore, Okla. This three-day, high-impact event is designed to help grazing managers make sound management decisions.

Using a combination of hands-on activities and class time, expert presenters cover topics such as ecosystem processes, estimating forage production, grass mechanics, grazing systems, behavior of grazing animals, forage flow and animal performance, prescribed burning, drought management and extending the grazing season.

"This year, we have added additional topics in soils, livestock nutrition and economics," said James Rogers, a forage specialist at the Noble Foundation. "We want participants to have a good thorough understanding of all the components that make up the mechanics of a grazing system and influence its profitability."

A highlight of the school is field exercises, where attendees test their abilities in forage allocation to match forage requirements for groups of grazing cattle.

In addition, tours of two Noble Foundation demonstration farms are scheduled, allowing participants to observe the management of both native and introduced pasture resources.

"It's one thing to hear a concept in a classroom setting, but when you see it put into place in the field, it really helps folks understand how to apply it at home." Rogers said.

Cost for the school is $200 per participant, which includes lunch, supper, grazing stick, cap and notebooks. Space is limited, so register early by contacting Melissa Castleman at (580) 224-6411.

Rooms at the Ardmore Holiday Inn are available to Grazing School participants for $60 plus tax per night. Please call (580) 223-7130 to make a reservation. Rates for other Ardmore motels are available, upon request, from Castleman.

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The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; providing grants to non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.