Ranch plans grazing workshop

The Blackland Prairie Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Coalition will offer a Grazing Management Workshop May 16 at the 77 Ranch in Blooming Grove. The ranch received the 2007 Leopold Conservation Award for achievements in conservation and land stewardship.

Registration is at 8 a.m. The workshop will run from 8 a.m. to noon.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service will discuss rangeland plant basics and other grazing topics. Participants will receive lunch and educational materials about grazing, along with three hours of continuing education units in pesticide applicator's license and Certified Professional in Rangeland Management. The workshop is designed to help people cooperate to maintain and improve the management, productivity and health of privately owned grazing lands.

"Range and pasture specialists will provide valuable insight about grazing management issues, which include appreciating rangeland resources and setting proper stocking rates based on balancing forage supply with animal demand," said Jeff Goodwin, NRCS rangeland management specialist in Corsicana. The event will conclude with a session about alternatives to inorganic fertilizers on introduced pastures.

Sponsors are the NRCS, Texas Agrilife Extension, Dow AgroSciences, Navarro County Soil and Water Conservation District, 77 Ranch, Blackland Prairie GLCI and Navarro County Extension Livestock Committee.

Those planning to attend should RSVP by Monday by phoning (903) 654-3075. For more information, phone Goodwin at (903) 874-5131 or Randy Henry at (817) 467-3867. GLCI information can be obtained at glci.org and tx.usda.nrcs.gov.