Fall Grazing Conference to be held in Shell Lake on November 10

WASHBURN COUNTY -- The Northwest Wisconsin Graziers Network and UW-Extension invite you to attend this year’s fall grazing conference in Shell Lake from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM on Saturday, November 10, 2018.  The conference will be held at the Shell Lake High School, 271 US Highway 63 in Washburn County.  The High School is one mile south of town on the west side of Highway 63.

The program will start at 8:30 AM and includes a catered meal by Lois Stellrecht, who is the owner of Lois’ Country Cupboard Cuisine and a local livestock farmer. This conference will combine the traditional cow/calf workshop with grazing information and will be of interest to new farmers, part-time or full-time operators and low-income startups whether a grazier or a non-grazier.  Several agency and commercial exhibitors will be available to network with throughout the day.   The specific topics and order of presentations will include:

1. Keynote: Ten common health questions asked by beef graziers – Dr. Ryan Leiterman, DVM, Crystal Creek Naturals.
2. Soil health through regenerative agriculture – Gabe Brown, Bismark, North Dakota. A pre-recorded presentation via streaming video.  Investigating the role of cover crops and grazing livestock in building soils and land stewardship.
3. Silvopasture economics and implementation – Diane Mayerfeld, UW-Madison Extension, Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, CIAS.
4. Practical Nutrition for grass finishing beef – Dr. Greg Brickner, DVM, Organic Valley Cooperative.
5. Panel Discussion – Steps taken to start a grazing operation – Randy Gilbertson (Moderator), Kent Wabrowetz, Chris Johnson, and Mike Durand.
6. Wolf Management Update in NW Wisconsin – Eric Fromm, Wildlife Services, USDA-APHIS.

Advance registration forms for the Conference are due by Tuesday, November 6. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch, snacks and materials.  Late registration is $30.  For more information, contact UW-Extension Ag Agent Kevin Schoessow at Spooner:  715-635-3506, or NW Graziers members Lynn Johnson: 715-225-9882, Randy Gilbertson: 715-520-2112, or Otto Wiegand: 715-416-0513.