Early registration for the 7th National Conference on Grazing Lands, hosted by the National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC), will end on Oct. 15, 2018. Attendees for the Dec. 2-5 conference in Reno, Nev., can register for $395 prior to the 15th and $475 after that.

Conference organizers expect more than 800 ranchers, professors, land managers, researchers, public officials, conservationists and students to attend this national conference and participate in an exchange of ideas and information on the latest grazing land issues.

“Grazing lands exist in every state in this country and their value to agriculture, wildlife and the environment cannot be understated,” said Chad Ellis, chair of the National Grazing Lands Coalition. “That’s why this conference is so important. It brings the brightest minds in grazing land management together for a conversation about the best ways to conserve a vital resource that covers nearly half of this country.”

Featured speakers include two renowned grazing experts, Jim Gerrish and Fred Provenza. Gerrish is a grazing lands producer and consultant dedicated to helping farmers and ranchers more effectively manage their grazing lands for economic and environmental sustainability. Provenza is a professor emeritus at Utah State University who produced ground-breaking research over a more than 30-year career that laid the foundations for what is now known as behavior-based landscape management.

Attendees will also hear from agricultural producers who will share their on-the-ground innovations and best practices for managing grazing lands in an environmentally sustainable and economical manner.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris will round out the conference on a high note with his inspirational story. Harris will speak on overcoming adversity in life. He will also be available to sign copies of his book, “Steel Will.”

The conference also includes a trade show with vendors from varied segments of the agricultural industry, including booths and representatives from allied industries to government conservation agencies. The agenda allows plenty of time for visiting with friends and vendors at the tradeshow.