WHAT IS THE PASTURE & LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP?

The Workshop is an intensive 3-day event that targets new or inexperienced ranchers and landowners that covers the fundamentals of soils and soil fertility, forage establishment, pasture management, and utilization by livestock. Basic livestock management practices such as castrating, vaccinating, and de-horning calves are demonstrated. Grazing management, stocking rate, and body condition scoring are also highlighted. Approximately one-half the workshop involves lectures and discussion, with the remainder consisting of the field demonstrations of various how to methods of soil sampling, planting, calibrating sprayers, and inoculating legume seed. Various forage species, including bermudagrass, small grains, annual ryegrass, and clovers are studied by workshop attendees. Plenty of time is allowed for interaction with Texas A&M University faculty with expertise and experience in all management facets of the soil-plant-animal interface.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE PASTURE & LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP?

Attendees of the Pasture & Livestock Management Workshop have traveled literally from coast to coast and from border to border to improve their knowledge of the soil-plant-animal interface. Landowners have traveled from as far away as New York, Connecticutt, California, Michigan, and New Mexico to attend this prestigous workshop. People who should attend the workshop include the following:

• Rural landowners, whether you own 10 acres or 25,000 acres.
• Individuals who lived in the country as a child, moved to the city to make a living, but now have returned to the country to retire.
• Individuals who have inherited land.
• Long-time landowners who may have never had a good understanding of the soil-plant-animal interface.
• Anyone interested in natural resource management and land stewardship.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN WHEN YOU ATTEND THE PASTURE & LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP?

• How to develop a business plan and maintain appropriate records for your ranching operation.
• Basic soil science and differences in moisture holding capacity, inherent fertility, and thus production capability.
• How to sample soils and determine appropriate fertilizer application rates.
• How to select the right forages for your operation.
• How to establish and maintain forages on your property.
• How to select the right breed of cattle for your environment.
• How to castrate, vaccinate, implant, and de-horn calves.
• What is the right stocking rate for your production system.
• What marketing alternatives are available and how to develop a marketing plan.
• And much, much more.

How to sample soils and determine appropriate fertilizer application rates.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE NEXT PASTURE & LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP?

The Pasture & Livestock Management Workshop is only held in the spring of each year. Enrollment is limited to 50 individuals so there is adequate opportunity for faculty interaction. Here is how to register for the next Workshop:

1. Get on our First Alert List. First Alert List folks are notified first of the next workshop prior to the general public receiving notice. (Click here for information)
2. Prior to the workshop, notification letters and registration forms are mailed to individuals on the First Alert List. REGISTER AND PAY IMMEDIATELY. The first 50 checks received in our office are registered for the program.
3. Approximately 30 days prior to the workshop, pre-tests are mailed to registered individuals. Complete and return the pre-test immediately.