September 18-20, 2007
A group of PNW Extension Forage Specialists received a Western Sustainable Agricultural Research and Extension (WSARE) grant to provide training to you focusing on seed quality, forage growth and development, field measurements for yield, canopy structure and light penetration, pasture fertility, pests, irrigation requirements and quality. The training will integrate both classroom and in-field pasture materials and exercises. Please find a detailed agenda with this e-mail for the full training program. The following two paragraphs are from the grant as to the course description and objectives. Please consider this as good background information.
Course description: Importance and nature of forage and grassland resources; application of biological principles to growth, development, management, and use of cultivated forage plants as pasture and conserved feed; interaction of soils, plants, animals, and environment in forage-livestock systems; and design of sustainable grassland production systems. Learning will be through lecture, discussion, reading, problem-solving in field exercises, and exams. Reading assignments are designed to provide further information of interest after the seminar. Field and lab exercises and lectures will be complementary and interactive.
Course objectives: Students will learn the fundamentals of forage plant structure, growth, development, physiology, management, nutritional value, and contributions to agricultural sustainability. This will include i) how forage plants function and respond to their environment; ii) the integration of forage plants and livestock into systems; and iii) how to approach problems in forage and grassland management. Relate plant to animal intake, Use of soil survey for appropriate species—work within the limits. Through lab and field exercises, students will gain understanding of the concepts and nature of scientific investigation. The course stresses principles and relationships, which can later be applied to specific cases in the design and management of sustainable forage-livestock systems.
The last scheduled training session is planned for Idaho and surrounding states is September 18 to 20th at the University of Idaho’s Nancy Cummings Research, Extension, and Education Center. This 900 acre ranch located 6 miles north of Salmon (see attached map) is being grazed by 300 cow-calf pairs. Lectures will be held in the training center with beautiful views of the Bitterroot and Salmon Mountain Ranges, in the Salmon River Valley. The lab and field location will be on irrigated pastures including some plots that were grazed to varying degrees the week before at the Lost Rivers Grazing Academy.
http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/nancycummings/index.html
We have reserved a block of rooms at the Stagecoach Inn located 201 Highway 93 North, in Salmon, Idaho. Room rates are $55-60 per single and $68 for double (phone: 208-756-2919. When making your reservations please tell them the rooms are reserved under “University of Idaho c/o Glenn Shewmaker”. The WSARE grant will pay 100% of room costs for the first 20 rooms registered for the nights of September 17-19, 2007. We encourage sharing rooms when compatible folks can arrange it – that will allow us to provide room funding for more of you to attend. The rooms are large and if on the “river side” have a pleasant view of the Salmon River. A nice continental breakfast and wireless internet is included.
We will have catered lunches delivered to the center each noon. Coffee, tea, and cold drinks will be provided for breaks. We will have a steak BBQ social activity at 6:15 pm Wednesday September 19—bring your own beverage of choice. Guests are welcome but must be registered for a $15 ticket. The BBQ will be located at the Morgan Bar picnic area, or if weather is inclement at an inside location. A registration fee of $55 per person will cover 3 noon lunches, breaks, and a steak BBQ.
If you plan to attend, please respond to Glenn Shewmaker (gshew@uidaho.edu) of your intentions. By August 10 I will send another e-mail to all who have responded they will attend with each person’s e-mail address.