Grasslands for Future Generations

Grazing School

The Grazing School is designed for producers and anyone with an interest in learning how to best manage grasslands to benefit livestock.

Dates & Locations
June 11-13: West River
July 23-25: East River
Sept 10-12: Chamberlain

Did you know that all producers are eligible for tuition reimbursement for the summit school if you apply before August 22? Get details and apply HERE.

About the Grazing School

Area producers teach you how to increase stocking rates, extend the grazing season through rest and recovery for pastures, increase plant diversity, retain moisture in your soil through drought, spend less time and money on weed control, have more time for hobbies and family, and set up your operation so that almost anyone can learn to run it. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. 

During this 3-day intensive program, you will not only learn new grazing management techniques, but you will also get hand-on experience. The producers who put on this grazing school share the experiences that lead them to this new way of grassland management and how they overcame the challenges they faced throughout the implementation process. Additionally, the agenda features presenters from state and federal agencies, and universities so that you will be instantly connected with people who can help you implement the new grazing management plan you develop during the Grazing School. Participants will gain experience with hands-on activities in the field and hear presentations in the classroom. 

Details
The fee to attend Grazing School is $300 for current members or $335 for non-members. An additional person from the same operation is $150.

Contact:
Judge Jessop
605-280-0127
judge.jessop@sdconservation.net

You can get a downloadable brochure by clicking HERE.

The Grazing School covers the following topics and more.

*  Adaptive Management
*  Concepts of Grazing
*  Managing Diversity on Rangelands
*  Pasture Allocation
*  Plant Species Identification
*  Mineral Nutrition Needs of Livestock
*  Fencing and Watering Systems
*  Planning for a Forage Shortage
*  Implementing Grazing Practices
*  Consultation with Grazing Experts

What is the Grazing School?

We are having three grazing schools this year (2023):

June 20-22 in Wall, SD
July 25-27 in Summit, SD
September 12-14 in Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD


The Grazing School is designed for producers and anyone with an interest in learning how to best manage grasslands to benefit livestock.

The agenda features presenters from state and federal agencies, and universities. Area producers share their expertise about various topics related to grazing techniques and grassland management. Participants will hear presentations in the classroom and gain experience with hands-on activities in the field. 

Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

COST*: $300 for current SDGC members Or $335 for non-members – which includes a  one-year membership. $150 for each additional person from the same operation.

*Fee includes session materials, snacks and meals.

Send registration form and fee to:

South Dakota Grassland Coalition
Attn: Judge Jessop
24690 299th Ave
Presho, SD 57568

Please make checks payable to: South Dakota Grassland Coalition

Need more info?

If you have questions, feel free to contact Judge at 605-280-0127 or by email at judge.jessop@sdconservation.net. You can also submit a question through the form below, and Judge will get back to you as soon as possible.

Send us your questions and we'll get back to you asap.

Discussions on managed grazing

Grazing School

“Attending the SDGC Grazing School was a game changer for our operation.  I attended primarily to see if there was a better way to utilize our irrigated hay land and decrease inputs.  I left the school with not only with alternative ways to do this but also with knowledge on how to put pressure on weeds on other undesirable plants, increase production, decrease inputs and ultimately improve our soil. After seeing the rainfall simulator for the first time I was blown away!  Seeing the water infiltrate into different soils and plant scenarios was one thing but flipping the pans over to reveal what really got water and what didn’t left a lasting impact on me.” – Shawn Freeland, Caputa, South Dakota

About South Dakota Grasslands Coalition

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