December Webinars - Introduction to Rotational Grazing

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program will continue its monthly webinars in December with two presentations from Fred Martz, retired animal scientist from the University of Missouri Extension.

After more than 50 years of agricultural teaching and research, Fred Martz retired in 1997 and now focuses on a business he enjoyed all his life, farming. With 450 acres located on the outskirts of northeastern Columbia, Martz assists his son, Kevin, in tending to 150 cattle, 24 ewes, 50 lambs, 100 hens and one protective llama on a daily basis. An innovator in utilizing rotational grazing, Martz turned to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 1997 for financial and technical assistance to further expand and modernize his system. He now has 60 paddocks which allow him to move four groups of cattle from paddock to paddock every 2-3 days. The process protects the health of the pasture, makes the herd easier to handle and increases the performance and profitability of his livestock. “We take the cattle off the land and allow the pasture to rest anywhere from 20-to-40 days,” Martz said. “This allows plants time to refurbish and develop vegetative tops while also keeping the roots vigorous.” He adds that he feeds hay from January through March to supplement the dormant winter pastures. Martz is former president of the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council and says he has had an interest in pasture management for as long as he can remember.

When: Monday December 5th, 7-8:30 pm
Introduction to Rotational Grazing, Part 1
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4df9pp4oza/ and sign in as a guest

When: Monday December 12th, 7-8:30 pm
Introduction to Rotational Grazing, Part 2
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r37lh9hufpg/ and sign in as a guest