Business : Iowa Certified Grazier Program Scheduled for Maquoketa

Experienced Iowa graziers and others looking to upgrade their forage management programs should join the Certified Grazier program. This is the third year Certified Grazier classes will be held in Iowa. Past participants in the Greenhorn Grazing series, or other in-depth grazing programs, will benefit from this “next level” programming. The program will include both classroom and in the field sessions. Informational sessions discuss different management strategies and how to apply them to participants’ land. Personalized sessions provide in-depth information on specific topics that can be incorporated into producers’ grazing plans. Networking gives participants the chance to discuss different strategies with producers and to develop a plan tailored to their resources and goals. Practical experience allows producers to see actual on-farm results of the management techniques. Mentoring works to build relationships between participants and experienced graziers as well as university and industry personnel to develop productive, cost-effective grazing systems. In 2014 special features of the program includes participation in a workshops led by grazing consultant Jim Gerrish. The eastern Iowa site for 2014 Certified Grazier program will be in Maquoketa, on June 12, July 8, August 21 (Gerrish series), September 9, November 13, and December 9. The Gerrish series will be held on August 21 in Amana and Monticello areas. The five base sessions will run from 10 am to 3 pm, with part of the day scheduled in the classroom and part in the field. There is a $100 registration fee which includes a meal at each of the six sessions, participation in a Gerrish workshop, and a reference guide. Sponsors include Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Beef Center, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Dow Agro Science, Agri Labs, the Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee, the Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information or to register contact Denise Schwab at 319-472-4739, or e-mail dschwab@iastate.edu, or go to the iowabeefcenter.org website. Click