Grazing Schools and Follow-Up Ranch Consulting Program

The attendees were divided into groups of 6 and given the task of laying out a pasture for one day grazing for 10 head of yearlings. After the poly wire fences were built the cattle were turned in and 24 hours later the group evaluated the forage remaining and determined how close they came to achieving their assigned goal. Then they re-plan and set up a fresh pasture for another 24 hour graze. 

In the eastern school near Summit, there is one herd of 100 cow/calf pairs which are moved daily. The students are divided into groups to determine the size of each day’s paddock. Then they go on to learn plant ID in the pasture. The afternoons and evenings are filled with classroom learning. Including rangeland animal nutrition, soil health, creating a ranch vision statement, experiences from ranchers, and overcoming obstacles with water and fencing.

The instructors at the school stress learning to work with Nature. This is done by observing what is happening in the pasture. Then adapting your management plan to improve pasture health.

Alumni that sign up for the Grazing School Follow-Up Program will have a range consultant come to their ranch and help them apply the things they started learning at the grazing school. The consultant will work on mapping, a resource inventory, and work through challenges with water and fencing. Once these tasks are accomplished, the consultant will assist the school alumnus to create a new grazing plan or update the existing plan.