As drought continues to scorch the Great Plains, many grazing managers have seen their pasture situations go from bad to worse. During tough times, it can be hard to plan for the future – getting by from day to day is difficult enough. However, as sure as the current drought will end, another one will follow. Do you want to be better prepared the next time around?

The Noble Foundation's 2006 Grazing School is an intense, three-day event – specially designed for grazing managers – where participants learn through a combination of hands-on activities, class time and tours of Noble research properties. The course will be held Oct. 24-26 at Noble's Ardmore, Okla. campus.

Noble experts will cover all aspects of grazing, including ecosystem processes, estimating forage production, grass mechanics, grazing systems, behavior of grazing animals, forage flow and animal performance, prescribed burning and extending the grazing season. A segment on drought management is included, as well.

"We understand there is not a lot of optimism right now for grazing because of dry conditions the last two years. But, conditions will get better. This school will help you better deal with the current situation and drought recovery and will provide you with management tools to prepare you for future weather cycles," said James Rogers, a Noble forage specialist.

This year's school will also offer continuing education units for Society for Range Management and American Forage and Grassland Council members.

To register, contact Melissa Castleman at (580) 224-6411 or mdcastleman@noble.org. Cost for the Grazing School is $200 per participant, which includes daily lunch and supper, grazing stick, cap and notebooks. The deadline for registration and payment is Oct. 1.

Lodging is available at the Ardmore Holiday Inn for $65+tax per night; call (580) 223-7130 for reservations.

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News Release Issued: August 21, 2006

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