Most beef producers are looking for ways to more efficiently manage their forage base. A lot of the producers across the country are using the method of ultra high-density grazing as a part of their management protocol. Ultra

High Stock Density is a principal of Holistic Management and was first suggested by Allan Savory.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Pickens County Farmers’ Federation are sponsoring two meetings. The first meeting is Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fish Farming Center in Greensboro. The second meeting is Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Service Center in Carrollton.

Both meetings will feature the following speakers. Doug Peterson, Grassland Specialist with Missouri NRCS, will be talking with us about improving forage stand and cattle performance with high stock density grazing. Doug’s experiences in Missouri have shown that using shorter grazing periods and longer rest periods with stock densities of up to 500,000 pounds per acre have been used to build soil organic matter and allow the development of deeper root systems in pastures.

Dr. Allen Williams, of the Jacob Alliance, will talk on opportunities to capture more value for our forages through the end product. He will also talk on his southeastern forage experience with ultra high-density grazing. Dr. Williams will conclude his talk on optimizing finishing points in beef cattle on forage based systems.

The programs will conclude each evening with an open discussion forum.

For more information, contact Brenda Glover or Johnny Gladney at 334-624-8710, Ilana Stover at 205-442-1743 or Sam Wiggins at 205-561-4461.