This year's second Kentucky Grazing School will be Aug. 9 and 10 at the Woodford County Cooperative Extension office and the University of Kentucky Animal Research Center in Versailles. Forage producers interested in attending to should go ahead and preregister as the workshop is limited to the first 45 people.

The first school this year was held in April in Western Kentucky and had a near-capacity turnout.

"Everyone came away with a better understanding of what is in their pastures, and it was an eye-opening experience for them to see what their pastures are capable of," said Adam Probst, Master Grazer program coordinator in the UK College of Agriculture. "By doing a better job of managing their pastures, many of the participants plan to reduce their hay needs or increase their herd size."

The Woodford County program begins at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 9 and concludes at 6 p.m. On Aug. 10, the school begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 5:15 p.m. Each day begins at the Woodford County extension office.

The agenda for the program covers grazing information relative to Central and Eastern Kentucky. UK College of Agriculture specialists in forages, beef cattle, dairy cattle, livestock and veterinary medicine will present a variety of topics ranging from establishing forages to parasite control in grazing cattle to the value of shade and water. A grazing land specialist from the Natural Resources Conservation Service will discuss cost-share programs offered through the service.

Unique to this program is the opportunity for school participants to design a grazing system based on their own property. Participants should bring a printed aerial map of their farm to design their grazing system. Maps are available through the local office of the Farm Service Agency or online through Google Maps.

Other hands-on activities include visits to field sites, tours of demonstration plots and field exercises. Classroom instruction is also a part of the program.

Producers can register for the school through their local agriculture and natural resources extension agent or by contacting Probst at 859-257-0597 or at adam.probst@uky.edu. Registration forms are also available online at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/Woodford_Grazing_School_2010.pdf. Registration is $45. Payment is required to reserve a spot.

Co-sponsors for the school include Master Grazer Educational Program, Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, UK College of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service and the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council.