Forage webinar aims to save ranchers money

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts will host a forage webinar Aug. 21 on the reduction of winter feeding by stockpiling warm-season forages and/or planting cool-season pastures.

The three-part forage webinar begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. The fee is $35, and the deadline to register is noon Aug. 19.

Electronic copies of slides and other program materials will be available prior to the program, and all sessions will be recorded and available for later viewing by registrants.

The program will be presented by Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension forage specialist, and Jason Banta, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, both in Overton.

Topics include:

–        Stockpiled forage management and utilization.

–        How many acres of stockpiled forage and winter pasture do you need?

–        Cool-season forages and variety selection.

–        Establishment and fertilization.

–        Monthly and seasonal forage production potential.

–        Appropriate mineral supplementation.

–        Estimated costs for various scenarios.

“Planning ahead and looking at the economics of all options are important to every producers bottom line,” Corriher-Olson said. “Whether you’re forgoing a late-season cutting to stockpile grazing forages or considering cool-season forage options, this webinar can help you avoid unnecessary costs and maximize production efficiency.”

Contact technical support at 979-845-2604 or agriliferegister@tamu.edu if there is a connectivity issue. For more information on this program, contact Michelle Sensing at 903-834-6191.