The annual meeting rotates among five states from Ohio to Missouri. The conference combines research information along with talks by producers from the Midwest, said Bob Hendershot, Lancaster, Ohio, NRCS state grassland conservationist, who is helping to coordinate the program along with Jeff McCutcheon, Mt. Gilead, Ohio OSU Extension Educator.
The keynote presentation at the opening banquet on January 20 will be "International Grazing.” The speaker, Ben Bartlett, a Michigan State University Extension Educator, has lead several groups on international trips to observe their grazing operations.
The presentations on the second day, January 21, will feature Dr. Justin Sexten, State Extension Beef Specialist, University of Missouri. Dr. Sexten, an Ohio native, will talk about the eight steps to stretching your pasture. Justin was recently highlighted in Successful Farming magazine. Howard Straub, a pasture based dairy farmer from Michigan, will be sharing the economics of his grazing operation. Howard has three grown children who also are grass based dairy farmers. Howard is vice chairman of the National Grazing Land Coalition Imitative Committee and vice-president of the American Forage and Grassland Council. Ben Bartlett will also be presenting in the morning on “Low Stress Livestock Handling.”
The farmers' favorite parts of grazing conferences are reports from other producers. There will be breakout sessions focusing on beef, sheep and goat, dairy and advanced grazing management. One farmer will be Katherine Harrison of Blystone Farms discussing direct marketing. Katherine has been named a director to the American Goat Federation. Jake Wolfinger , Ohio Young Cattleman of the year, will be discussing his use of oats as late summer and fall forage crop. Curt Cline, sheep producer whose farm was selected for the 2008 American Sheep Industry Environmental Stewardship, will be talking on his grazing operation. There will also be a panel discussion of experienced grazing dairy farmers.
Ohio State University specialists Dr. Steve Loerch and Dr. Dave Barker will each be discussing forage and grazing management. The Ohio Forage and Grassland Council will be having their annual meeting as a breakfast meeting on January 21.
An exhibit of grassland vendors will be available at the conference center. Roberts Centre is located at Exit 50 on Interstate Route 71 and US Route 68. Conference registration fee will be $65, which includes dinner, lunch and breaks. Registration for OFGC members will be $60. For registration send check, before Jan. 13, to Jeff McCutcheon, OSU Extension, 871 West Marion Road Suite 102, Mt. Gilead, OH 43338-1088, call Jeff at 419-947-1070. One-day registration fee for January 20 is $25 or January 21 for $45. A $10 late fee will be assessed for registrations after January 13, 2010. Rooms are available at the adjoining Holiday Inn at a special rate for the Heart of America Grazing Conference. Call 1-888-465-4329 for hotel reservations before December 28, 2009.
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