Upcoming Webinar Focuses on the Basics of Knowing, Growing and Grazing Grass

Ranchers and land managers can learn about forage production, stocking rates, managing risk, drought insurance and more in an interactive, online learning experience provided by Nebraska Extension.

Participants in this six-session webinar will interact with other producers and with presenters to learn from the latest research in range and pasture management. They will walk away with the knowledge to build their own grazing plan and a better understanding of managing grass for range health and profitability.

The series will be on Monday and Thursday evenings Oct. 14 through 31 from 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. (CDT).

Starting with plant identification, participants can send in photos of plants they would like to identify and learn what key grass species are desirable in their pastures.

They will also learn about maximizing forage production and calculating stocking rates to use the available forage to its optimum potential without damaging the resources.

The webinar will include how to use the USDA Web Soil Survey to estimate the range of production, and how to adjust a grazing plan during low precipitation years.

A grazing plan, key dates for grazing management, and understanding drought risk insurance (Pasture Range and Forage- PRF) will round out the series.

The cost is $100 per person for the six webinars, and includes a copy of "Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains" and a resource notebook with Nebraska Extension’s NebGuides and circulars. The webinars will be recorded and available to registered participants after each session.

The course will be limited to 30 participants. To register, go to https://go.unl.edu/Knowing_Grass. Registration by Oct. 1 will ensure participants receive mailed resources before the series begins. A computer and internet connection will be needed to participate in the webinar series.

For questions about the webinar series, please contact Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension educator at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.