Management-intensive Grazing School Oct. 22-24 Can Help Attendees Reduce Feed Costs, Improve Forage Systems

The last Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) School in southwest Missouri during 2013 will take place Oct. 22-24 in Bois D’Arc.

MiG is also known as rotational grazing management. Producers who follow the MiG system manage for both the benefit of livestock and forage. Livestock graze in each pasture long enough to harvest the forage but are moved before eating too much of the leaf area.
The result is lower feed costs and improved forage production. That means more money in the pocket of the beef cattle producer.

The last grazing school for 2013 will be held during the day, Oct. 22-24, in Bois D’Arc: (10 miles NW of Springfield). Registrations for this school must be received by Oct. 16.

Registration forms and fees can be obtained at the NRCS office on Hwy. B, Springfield, Mo., or by contacting Mark Green at (417) 831-5246 or via e-mail at mark.green@mo.usda.gov. Information is also available online http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.

There is a limit on attendance at each location and the enrollment fee varies.

Grazing schools started in 1995. Since that time, the schools have been held at various locations, dates and in different formats to meet the diverse needs of livestock producers.

To date, literally thousands of individuals have attended the schools to learn about the basic principles and practices of MiG. The schools have also helped livestock producers qualify for thousands of dollars in various cost-share programs through NRCS or FSA.

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Missouri Extension and the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsor the MiG school. University of Missouri Extension specialists from southwest Missouri teach many of the sessions during the school.

One-hundred percent of Greene County residents can benefit from the economically sound advice and unbiased, research-based information and education available from Greene County Extension. Specialists with Greene County Extension offer educational programs that make lifelong learning fun and help people help themselves. More information is available online or by calling the MU Extension office in Greene County at (417) 881-8909.