BEDFORD, Pa. — One of the latest initiatives of the Pennsylvania Beef Working Group is focusing on cattle producers who wish to improve their operations by fine-tuning their management of pastures and forages, along with improving animal performance through better supplementation and forage quality.
As the PA BPWG works to support all producers and cover all production methods in Pennsylvania’s beef industry, the organization has been researching what Pennsylvania producers could use to help continue to make their beef businesses viable and profitable.
The latest effort of the PA BPWG is a response based on needs identified from a statewide research endeavor that the group spearheaded, a large-scale survey in which nearly 800 Pennsylvania beef producers weighed in on what type of support and information would be helpful to their operation.
Consequently, the PA BPWG has put together, among other efforts, a new initiative that features a series of four events to help background cattle. The “Applied Beef Cattle Management Strategies” workshops feature pasture management, supplementation on pasture, marketing and economics of a grazing operation and a pasture walk, among other important points.
Keynote speaker for the workshops will be Dr. Jess Williamson, Penn State Extension Forage Specialist.
“Stored feeds account for the greatest expense on most livestock operations,” said Williamson. “The longer into the season cattle producers can graze, the lower their stored and harvested feed costs will be.
“By improving pasture and grazing management, and perhaps by implementing a few new innovative management strategies, the grazing season can be prolonged and the need for stored and harvested feed can be reduced – increasing the overall profitability of the operation.”
The events, which mostly run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., are free of charge; however, lunch or dinner will be provided so preregistration is requested.
More information may be available at http://extension.psu.edu/animals/beef/events.
The first event will be conducted Sept. 23 at the Haller Farm, Bellefonte. This event will last until 3:30 p.m. To register, contact Elizabeth Egan at 814-865-2571 at EAE126@psu.edu.
Following that will be an event on Sept. 30 at the Annabelle Grazing Farm, Mayport. Contact Dustin Heeter at DDH7@psu.edu or call 724-837-1402 for further information and to register.
The next seminar is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Hepler Farm, Hallstead. Contact Jeanette Vannan with questions and to register at JAV17@PSU.EDU or call 570-265-2896.
Iams Farm – Log Cabin Fence, Amity, will host the Oct. 28 seminar. Register with Dustin Heeter at DDH7@psu.edu or call 724-837-1402 for further information.
The event is sponsored by the PA Beef Producers Working Group and hosted by Penn State Extension.
The PA BPWG is a collaboration of Penn State Extension, PA Beef Council, Center for Beef Excellence, PA Cattlemen’s Association, the PA Department of Agriculture and various producers.
— Pennsylvania Beef Working Group