Dr. Jim Gerrish, well-known rancher, researcher, grazing educator, and co-founder of the Missouri Grazing School returns to Kansas this August to kick off Amazing Grazing II for Ruminants Great and Small. A workshop entitled “Management of Sheep and Goats for Grazing, Herd Health, Performance and Profitability” will be held August 15-16, 2014, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days at Four Points by Sheraton in Manhattan.
This workshop is tailored for small ruminant producers specifically, and Gerrish will be able to help producers make better choices for their pasture situation. Dr. Gerrish states, “Sheep and goats offer opportunities for landowners as alternatives to raising cattle. Greater production efficiencies, niche market values, and ease of handling make sheep and goats particularly attractive for smaller acreages. Managing smaller ruminants does require a different skill set than do cattle, and they require more attention to details of management. This workshop will cover topics including grazing practices for parasite management, fence and stock water development for ease of grazing, extending the grazing season, among others.”
Dr. Brian Faris, head of KSU Animal Science Department Sheep and Goats and the newly built small ruminant facility, will join the Manhattan Small Ruminant Workshop. Faris was raised in Texas, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sheep and goat industry to this workshop. The workshop will include a tour of the new facility; where a hands-on workshop for producers to learn small animal health management techniques will be held later in the fall. A Friday evening ranch tour/supper is in the planning stages.
Program Director Mary Howell reports, “Amazing Grazing II was written specifically to address many of the issues that small animal producers keep asking for. Two days spent with Jim and Brian will be well worth the time and money invested. Ranch managers will learn valuable grazing information and management skills that will improve production and profitability of their livestock enterprise.”
Cost for the workshop is $60.00, which includes lunch and handouts. An evening tour and supper is tentatively planned at a local ranch. Please register online at: www.AmazingGrazingKansas.com, contact Mary Howell at kfu.mary@gmail.com or call 785-562-8726. A block of rooms is being held at Four Points by Sheraton, Manhattan call 785-584-5573. Check the website often for other upcoming events and to sign up for news as it happens.
Amazing Grazing II Partners with Kansas Farmers Union: Kansas NRCS, Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas State Research and Extension, Farm Credit, Kansas Grazing Land Coalition, and Kansas Graziers with funding from North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
