DALTON, Ohio — The 2011 North Central Ohio Grazing Conference, scheduled for Jan. 27-28, will offer ideas for managing resources, budgets and forage. The event will be held at the Buckeye Event Center, 624 Henry St., Dalton, OH 44618.
The conference begins Jan. 27 at 8:45 with a presentation by Noah Yoder, a dairy grazier from Millersburg, Ohio, followed by a presentation by Jon Bansen, an Oregon dairy grazier.
The breakout session will include presentations on the economics of dairy grazing, breeding strategies and forage for beginners. The afternoon session will kick off with a presentation by Clif Hawbaker of Emerald Valley Farm, followed by Jon Bansen with a presentation on “Downsizing to Become More Profitable” followed by a producer panel that will discuss the costs of raising heifers to breeding age.
Second day
The Jan. 28 session will start at 8:45 a.m. with a presentation by John Mark Troyer of Barrs Mills Dairy Farm, followed by a presentation by Geoff Brink on “Grazing: From the Farm to Research and Back to the Farm.”
Three breakout sessions will wrap up the morning program. The first session features a pasture renovation panel. In the second breakout session, Jon Bansen will discuss the value of being flexible in dairy farm decisions. The third breakout session will feature a panel discussion on creating added value to products on the dairy farm.
The afternoon session will wrap up with Clif Hawbaker: “Budgets Can Make or Break” and observations from 10 years of North Central Ohio Grazing Conferences by the founders of the group.
Cost
Early registration for the conference is $45 for the first person from a farm and $35 for each additional person from the farm and includes conference registration, breaks, vendor show and meals. The deadline for early registrations is Jan. 20. One-day registration is $35 per person, and attendees must indicate which day they will be attending.
Attendees must register at the door after Jan. 20, and the cost for one day is $45 and $55 for both days.
Those registering early should make checks payable to Small Farm Institute and mail to 28850 SR 621, Fresno, OH 43824. For more information, contact Leah Miller at 740-545-6349.
The conference is co-sponsored by North Central Ohio Grazing Council, Agroecosystem Management Program, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University and Small Farm Institute.
