Healthy Soils, Healthy Livestock Workshop
April 8-9, 2011
Over fifty people from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kansas attended the Kerr Center’s “Healthy Soils, Healthy Livestock” grazing workshop on Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, 2011.
The Kerr Center hosted the event at the Stewardship Ranch near Poteau, Oklahoma.
Friday’s lunch included Pineywoods beef from the Kerr Center, and a salad of local greens.
Speakers included:
Ray Archuleta, Conservation Agronomist, USDA-NRCS Soil Quality Team
Brian Freking, Extension Educator, LeFlore County
Andy Makovy, Herdsman/Technician, Kerr Center
Mary Penick, Livestock Manager, Kerr Center
Dr. David Sparks, D.V.M., OSU Extension Food Animal Quality and Health Specialist
Dr. Ann Wells, D.V.M., Program Director, Kerr Center
Following are the workshop topics and speakers with links to further information on the topics:
Friday, April 9
1. Welcome & Introductions – Jim Horne, Mary Penick
2. Soil health and how it relates to healthy cattle—Ray Archuleta
3. Goal Setting—Mary Penick
4. My Experience with Management-Intensive Grazing—Andy Makovy
5. Animal Assessment—Dr. Dave Sparks
6. Cowboy Arithmetic & Pasture Allocation—Dr. Ann Wells
7. Outdoor Classrooms:
a) Fencing for MIG 101—Brian Freking & Andy Makovy
b) Hands-on Animal Assessment—Dr. Dave Sparks
c) Pasture ID—Mary Penick and Ann Wells
d) Soil Health—Ray Archuleta
8. Pasture Allocation Exercise using Kerr Cattle and Pastures
9. Discussion of Day’s Events & Questions—Panel
10. Informal Discussion of Multi-Species Grazing—Dr. Dave Sparks and Kerr Center Staff
Saturday, April 9
1. Review of First Day
2. Power of Diversity—Ray Archuleta
3. Genetics for Grazing—Mary Penick
4. Animal Health—Dr. Dave Sparks
5. Outdoor Classroom:
- Review of Pasture Allocation Exercise
- Water Systems
- What to do when you get home?
