FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 9, 2011

CONTACT:
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator
651.201.6131, Margaret.hart@state.mn.us

MDA to sponsor video conference on state’s grazing needs

 ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is co-sponsoring an innovative, interactive video conference to help determine the state’s future needs in grazing research. The first-ever grazing video conference will provide the opportunity for farmers, ranchers and researchers to network and communicate about grazing management and a variety of other topics.

The video conference will be presented Thursday, December 8, 2011, at five Minnesota locations including Northland Community College in Thief River Falls, North Central Research & Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, Southwest Research & Outreach Center in Lamberton, Winona State University-Rochester Campus and Central Lakes College in Staples.  Registration begins at 8:45 a.m.

At least one researcher will give an on-site presentation at each location. All presentations will be broadcast live via video conference to all locations. The goal is to enable broad involvement at convenient locations for participants.

Along with MDA, the event is co-hosted by the Grazing Lands Conservation Association (GLCA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension, and Midwest Forage Association (MFA).

The ‘grazing-edge’ research presentations include:

• Grasses for Minnesota Grazing Systems by UMN-Extension Forage Agronomist Paul Peterson (presenting at Thief River Falls)
• Grazing Management of Annual Ryegrass in Combination with Rape or Turnips Seeded on Cattle Winter Feeding Areas by UMN-NCROC Agronomist Russ Mathison (presenting at Grand Rapids)
• Cycling & Loss of Nutrients in Pastures: There’s No Substitute for Good Management by USDA-ARS-DFRC Scientist Michael Russelle (presenting at Lamberton)
• Maintaining Pasture Productivity: The Effects of Extent & Timing of Grazing by USDA-ARS-DFRC Scientist Geoff Brink (presenting at Rochester)
• Silvopasture: An Agroforestry Management Practice for Woodland Grazing by UMN-Extension Agroforestry Specialist Diomy Zamora (presenting at Staples)
• Crossbreeding Dairy Cattle For Improved Milk Production on Pasture by UMN-WCROC Dairy Scientist Brad Heins (presenting from Staples)
• Statewide Grazier Panel (GLCA members)
• MFA, GLCA, and Sponsor Updates

Preregistration by November 22 is only $5.00 and includes lunch and proceedings. On-site registration is $15.00. Preregister at the Midwest Forage Association website www.midwestforage.org/grazing.php.

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