Trowbridge Farms, in Ghent, Columbia County, is hosting the 2021 Fall Round Up Grazier Meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 1:00 to 4:00pm. This annual meeting organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension – Albany County is an opportunity for livestock owners of all species to get together. This year the program topics will be: safe livestock handling facilities on a low budget, working animals for livestock (herding dogs and guard animals), managing pasture in difficult circumstances such as severe weather and dominating weeds.

As always, there will be a discussion of the business of grazing, including profit versus cash flow, the importance of record keeping, and the real value of good community relations.

Registration is $5 per person for residents of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Washington Counties, $10 per person for all other areas. Registration is due by October 18, 2021 and is available online at https://caahp.ccext.net/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=142 or call (518)765-3518/email cce-caahp@cornell.edu. COVID precautions will be followed.

Many livestock operations in the Hudson Valley are small to medium in size. Fixed and labor costs are, therefore, high, making profitability and cash flow a challenge. Dayton Maxwell, CCE will discuss these challenges as well as how record-keeping improves profitability and how your farm brand and good community relations bring real value. One challenging fixed cost is livestock handling facilities.

Phil and PJ Trowbridge have years of experience to share on handling cattle in many different types of facilities, as well as how they use herding dogs. Ashley Pierce, CCE, will explain what farmers need to know about herding and guard animals, to avoid surprises and have positive experiences with them. Severe weather, climate change, and weeds dominating pastures is another challenge graziers are having. A discussion of pasture management practices for these issues will be led by Aaron Gabriel, CCE.