Join Kentucky's 2025 Grazing School for Livestock Producers

By Blake Jackson

The University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and UK Cooperative Extension Service are hosting the 2025 Kentucky Beginning Grazing School on April 29-30.

This event, held at the Logan County Extension Office in Russellville, aims to equip livestock producers with knowledge to improve profitability through practical and theoretical learning.

“While this school targets beginning grazers, the topics and discussion will benefit producers along all segments of their grazing journey,” said Chris Teutsch, forage specialist in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Martin-Gatton CAFE and grazing school organizer. "This year’s event has been updated to put greater emphasis on soils, the foundation upon which sustainable grazing systems are built.”

Day one will cover soil basics, rotational grazing, pasture nutrition, grazing math, water systems, stocking rate determination, and electric fencing setups. Participants will also engage in a grazing systems planning exercise at Double M Farms, a local cow-calf and row crop operation.

Afternoon sessions will feature hands-on clinics on temporary electric fencing, soil and hay sampling, pasture assessment, grazing management, and forage selection.

Day two will delve into soil test interpretation, livestock nutritional needs on pasture, insights from a local producer, and pasture restoration strategies. Attendees will also learn to calibrate a grain drill and use GPS for frost seeding.

The school runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT each day, with lunch provided. Participants should dress appropriately for both indoor and outdoor activities.

Registration is $60 per person and closes on April 15. To register online, visit Kentucky Beginning Grazing School Spring 2025 | Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Mail-in registrations with checks made out to KFGC can be sent to Caroline Roper at the UK Research and Education Center.

The Logan County Extension Office is located at 255 John Paul Rd., Russellville, KY 42276. This grazing school offers a valuable opportunity for livestock producers to enhance their grazing management skills and improve farm sustainability.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymour