School To Help Ranchers Make Sound Grazing Management Decisions

ARDMORE, Okla. — Working off the success of its first public Grazing School in 2003, the Noble Foundation has scheduled a second public Grazing School for Oct. 18-21, 2004, at the Pavilion on the Foundation’s campus.

During the four-day, hands-on event, Foundation Agricultural Division forage specialists will assist land managers in learning the basic principles of forage and grazing management.

"Many people depend upon forage growth for their livelihood, their abilities to manage both the forage resource and the grazing animal directly influences profitability," said James Rogers, a forage specialist at the Noble Foundation. "Those who attend will learn how management of the frequency and intensity of grazing influences forage growth and persistence as well as animal performance."

Presenters are set to 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.

Attendees also participate each day in field exercises and 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 attendees to observe the management of both native and introduced pasture resources.

"Going to the farms really lets folks see in practice what they learned about in the classroom. It gives them confidence to go home and try it for themselves," Rogers said.

Cost for the grazing 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 $55 plus tax per night. Please call (580) 223-7130 to make a reservation.

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

To learn more, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release