Join livestock and field crops specialists for webinars focused on preparing for a productive 2021 grazing season

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program (SWNYDLFC) will be offering virtual training opportunities on pasture management topics including weed identification and management, frost seeding, pasture design, and rotational grazing. Classes will be held on 4 consecutive Thursday evenings starting on February 25^th. All classes will begin at 6:30 pm ET and run for one hour, with the exception of “Early Season Weed Management” which will run for an hour and a half. There is a $10 to $15 registration fee per class.

“Early Season Pasture Weed Management” will provide 1.5 DEC Credits in Categories 1a, 10, and 21. To receive credits, participants will need to have their pesticide license available to show the instructors and be present for the entirety of the live class.

Class dates, topics, and registration links can be found below:

Early Season Pasture Weed Management w/ DEC Credits ($15): Thursday, February 25^th, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Join Josh Putman for a discussion on early season identification and management of common pesky and potentially toxic pasture weeds in SWNY

**1.5 DEC Credits approved in Categories 1a, 10, & 21; Have your spray license available for the class if you’d like to receive credits You must be present for the entire live session to receive credits**

Register here:  https://tinyurl.com/PastureWeedManagement

All About Frost Seeding ($10): Thursday March 4^th, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Frost seeding can improve pastures. Josh Putman will be discussing why, when, and how to frost seed, including seed types and volumes, establishment areas, cropping decisions, and fertility considerations.

Register here:  https://tinyurl.com/FrostSeeding

Designing Your Grazing System for 2021 and Beyond ($10): Thursday, March 11^th, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

In this class, Amy Barkley will explore the facets of developing a grazing plan including considerations surrounding field conditions, pasture species, livestock species, grazing intensity, watering systems, and fencing considerations.

Register here: Register here:  https://tinyurl.com/GrazingSystemDesign

Rotational Grazing Management ($10): Thursday, March 18^th, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Join Amy Barkley for tips on how to build a grazing calendar from the bottom up. Learn about stocking densities, rest times, measuring forage availability, and how to keep paddocks healthy and productive.

Register here:  https://tinyurl.com/RotationalGrazingManagement

These virtual classes will provide opportunities to learn and to ask questions. While the courses are designed for the general grazier, the focus will be for those grazing beef, sheep, and goats. A pre-course survey will be sent upon registration to provide participants with the opportunity to give input on which topics would be most valuable to discuss.

Webinar links and call-in numbers to the virtual classroom will be shared the day prior to the presentation by the email you registered with. Printed copies of the notes and CD recordings of the lectures will be made available upon request. If you would prefer to register by phone, please contact Kelly Bourne at 585-268-7644 ext 10 or klb288@cornell.edu. Registration is required and will close the day prior to each class.

For more information about the series, contact Livestock and Beginning Farm Specialist, Amy Barkley, at amb544@cornell.edu or (716) 640 – 0844.

SWNYDLFC is a partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties. Their team includes Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management (716-640-0522); Joshua Putman, Field Crops (716-490-5572); Alycia Drwencke, Dairy Management (517-416-0386) and Amy Barkley, Livestock Management (716-640-0844). CCE is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.