When we practice agriculture we must consider profitability, the environment and our communities together in guiding our actions. The options that will be available to future generations will depend upon the use of sound agricultural practices today.
Grasslands provide a valuable natural resource in our state.
Nutrients provided from harvested forages and concentrate feeds usually cost 2 - 4 times more than grazed pasture. The balanced pasture ecosystem involves managing grass and grazing animals in such a way as to provide environmental benefits in the form of nutrient cycling, soil improvement and reduced runoff. The sound management of the pasture ecosystem offers opportunity for cost reduction, improvement of feed quality and the potential for increased profitability. During the past several years producers have begun to rediscover the exciting potential that grazing can provide. These grazing management schools are designed to teach the basic principles of pasture ecology, animal behavior and grazing management that can have a positive impact on profit, the environment and the community.