PRINCETON, Ky. – Cattle producers will have a chance to hear the latest on profitable grazing systems at the 2022 Kentucky Fall Grazing Conference, held Oct. 26 in Leitchfield, Ky., and Oct. 27 in Winchester, Ky.

“This year, we are looking forward to some excellent speakers from the University of Kentucky, Missouri, and as far away as Idaho,” said Chris Teutsch, University of Kentucky extension associate professor in the department of plant and soil sciences.

“Profitable ruminant livestock production systems include the soil, plant, and animal and conference participants are going to hear from experts specializing in all three,” he added.

Sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, and the University of Kentucky Grazer Program, the conference will also provide attendees with new information on ways to extend grazing, he said.

“The number one cost in grazing systems is hay,” he said. “So one important way to improve profitability is to decrease the amount of conserved forage fed.”

Among the conference speakers at the two-day event is Ray Archuleta, who will speak about the living portion of the soil.

A certified professional soil scientist with the Soil Science Society of America, with more than 30 years of experience as a soil conservationist, water quality specialist and conservation agronomist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, he served in New Mexico, Missouri, Oregon, and North Carolina.

After his retirement from the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2017, he founded Understanding Ag, LLC, and Soil Health Academy; he also owns and operates a 150-acre farm near Seymour, Mo., with his wife and family.

“Ray Archuleta will talk about all the things in the soil,” Teutsch said. “Worms, bacteria, fungi, actinomyctes (a group of gram-positive bacteria that produce various bioactive agents including antibiotics, enzymes, and vitamins), micro and macro insects, etc., and how these participate in the soil food web and nutrient cycling.”

Jim Gerrish, an independent grazing lands educator, consultant and writer from May, Idaho, will speak about the role of extended grazing in profitable ruminant livestock operations.

He currently works with numerous ranchers using both irrigated pastures and native range land, also working with livestock farmers in high natural rainfall environments. His experience includes more than 22 years of beef-forage systems research and outreach while on the faculty of the University of Missouri.

Kentucky speakers include University of Kentucky Beef Specialist Les Anderson, University of Kentucky Agricultural Economist Greg Halich, Adair County Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent Nick Roy, and Adair County farmer Fred Thomas.

Topics include right-sizing cows for profit, grazing myths, and hay feeding strategies to build grazing system fertility.

“Greg Halich will talk about grazing myths that can reduce profitability,” Teutsch said. “Les Anderson will talk about the right-sized cow for profitable grazing systems. Nick Roy and Fred Meyers will share their experience of using hay feeding to strategically increase soil nutrient levels.”

Roy will give a presentation on bale grazing as a method of feeding hay to livestock, with the goal of distributing nutrients back into the soil.

He said while the concept is not new to the livestock industry, it is a relatively new practice in Kentucky.

“Bale grazing is another strategy farmers can have at their reach to implement on their farms to improve profitability, while also practicing good stewardship,” he said. “While the practice may not fit everyone, lessons learned from bale grazing shows the potential rewards of effectively distributing nutrients from hay feeding back on our soils.

Teutsch said the primary goal of the conference is to provide participants with tips and ideas that could increase the profitability of their grazing operations.

“No two farms are the same, but there will be tips for everyone,” he said.

Events begin at each location with registration at 7:30 a.m. local time and run until 3:15 p.m. Participants should pre-register. Advance registration is $35 per person; day-of registration is $50 per person and student registration is $15.

Registration is available at: https://2022GrazingLeitchfield.eventbrite.com; and https://2022GrazingWinchester.eventbrite.com.

For more information about the grazing conference and other events, visit: https://forages.ca.uky.edu/.