Livestock programs planned for 2011

Trimble County livestock producers may want to take advantage of some of the excellent Extension Service educational opportunities during the next several months.
The 2011 Louisville Area Master Cattlemen Program: There is still time to register for this comprehensive forage and cattle management program.
This program begins on Thursday, Jan. 20, and meets monthly from 5:30-9 p.m. through Oct. 20. Topics include facilities, management, forages, nutrition, reproduction, environmental stewardship, genetics, herd health, end product and marketing.
Registration is $50 per individual or $75 for couples. Dinner will be served at each meeting. Sessions will run from 5:30-9:00 PM each evening.
The 10th Heart of America Grazing Conference: This grazing conference is set for Jan. 25-26 at the Holiday Inn Hurstbourne in Louisville, Ky.. Topics: “From confinement to grazing”; “Tall fescue endophyte and animal performance”; “Organic dairying”; “Mob grazing and high-density grazing”; “Integrated weed management”; “Grazing goats and cattle”; “Grazing corn, brassicas, chicory, Eastern gammagrass, ryegrass, oats and other non-traditional forages”; and “Extending the grazing season.
Registration is $35 per day per participant or $50 for both days; $65 for registration after Jan. 15 or at the door.
Healthy Horse Seminar: This program, on Saturday, Jan. 29, will cover various aspects of horse health by local veterinarians. This free program will meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shelby County Extension Office. Lunch will be provided.
Pasture Drought Recovery: The 2010 drought left pastures in the region in very poor condition. We can expect more weed problems this year.
This free seminar is designed to help horse and livestock producers evaluate and recover drought-damaged pastures. Presenters will be Ray Smith, UK Extension forage specialist, and Bill Witt, UK Extension weeds specialist.
The program will meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the Shelby County Extension Office. Lunch will be provided. Registration is due Jan. 28. by January 28th for this free program.
For more information on any of the above programs, call the Trimble County Extension Office at (502) 255-7188.

Michael Pyles is Trimble County’s Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture.