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Still Time to Register for 6NCGL
If livestock are a big part of your life or livelihood then you don’t want to miss the 6th National Conference on Grazing Lands that will be held Dec. 13-16, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency DFW near Grapevine, Texas. The event will feature a trade show and an array of speakers from producers to academia. Online registration is available until Dec. 4, 2015. On-site registration is also available. For more registration information, visit: http://www.cvent.com/d/brqsxm/4W
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| Day-By-Day Schedule
Who will be speaking at the three-day 6NCGL? View the full-schedule of the planned speakers at the link below. And, the four articles below highlight four of the speakers who will be at the event. http://www.grazinglands.org/grazing-conference/conference-program/
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Thank You Sponsors!
The 6NCGL event would not be possible without support from many industry sponsors. Take a minute to click on the following link to view the sponsors for the upcoming 2015 conference. And, if you know someone from these organizations, be sure to thank them in person the next time you see them. http://www.grazinglands.org/grazing-conference/our-sponsors/
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Nov - Dec 2015
Volume 20, Issue 6 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE |
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Grass-Based Health
Peter Ballerstedt shares personal and professional experiences related to health. |
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Ranch Diversification
Texas rancher Gary Price talks about the need for flexible grazing management. |
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Starting in Ranching
A North Dakota couple highlights their lessons learned and goals for the future.
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Easy Keeping Cows
Steve Campbell offers some "linear" tips to better grass-based genetics.
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Peter Ballerstedt is Barenbrug USA’s Forage Product Manager. He has an extensive background in forage production, utilization, and forage-based livestock production systems, and was the forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 until 1992. His personal experience has led him to re-examine human diet and health. The new understanding he has gained, combined with his forage background, has given him an interest in local, sustainable animal production systems specifically in grassfed beef production.
Ballerstedt finds it ironic that his personal and professional interest should be so tied to carbohydrates. In a blog post, he wrote: “In humans, there’s no such thing as an essential carbohydrate. Dairy cows, on the other hand, must have two types of carbohydrate: non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), starches and sugars, to support high levels of milk production; and digestible NDF to promote rumen health, butterfat production and animal well-being.”
Ballerstedt will lead a session at 6NCGL on Monday afternoon, Dec. 14. Read more about Ballerstedt’s philosophy on carbohydrates for humans and cattle at: http://grassbasedhealth.blogspot.com/2014/03/as-simple-as-possible-but-no-simpler.html
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“In today’s world, you have to have flexibility on the livestock and grass sides of the equation to survive,” says Gary Price, who operates the 77 Ranch in the Blackland Prairie of Ellis and Navarro counties in Texas.
He continues, “With planned grazing you set goals, monitor your progress toward those goals, and constantly evaluate what you’re doing, so you’re in a position to respond to changes quickly, maximizing opportunities and limiting possible damage.”
Price began implementing planned grazing more than 30 years ago when he noticed how grasses such as big bluestem, which were remnants from the native prairie, responded to good grazing management that included moderate use and adequate recovery during the growing season.
Price will be a featured speaker on Tuesday, Dec. 15, during the “Texas Day” sessions at the 6NCGL event in Grapevine, TX. Read more about his views at: http://www.thecattlemanmagazine.com/archives/2010/10/planned_grazing_10.html
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North Dakota ranch couple Krista and Jeremiah Reiser will share their experiences as a young ranch couple during a session on Monday, Dec. 14. They run an all grass operation on about 2,700 acres of native prairie in central North Dakota. They run a herd of leased and owned spring calving cows and also custom graze the excess grass.
With a SARE grant they have explored mob grazing to improve profitability and sustainability. Learn more about their efforts at: http://mysare.sare.org/mySARE/ProjectReport.aspx?do=viewRept&pn=FNC10-796&y=2013&t=1
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“Making your herd’s genetic code fit your zip code.” That’s the philosophy of Steve Campbell, who has been in the cattle industry his whole life. Campbell understands the complexities of producing premium beef. From soil health, quality forage production, nutrition, mineral intake, stock selection, calving and more, he works with producers to find ways to improve their operation and get better results.
Campbell uses a system of linear measurements and says, “The shape of a cow determines if she will be an easy keeper on grass, and let's face it, as ranchers, that is our prime resource. Learn more about Campbell by reviewing articles posted on his blog at www.tailormadecattle.com. He will speak at 6NCGL on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 15.
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