2008 WINTER GRAZING SEMINAR
"Catch the coach to Sidney"
Beef under the Big Sky: Saddle up for the 2008 Montana Winter Grazing Seminar
Welcome ranchers! The 2008 Montana Winter Grazing Seminar is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 23-24, at the Sidney Country Club in Sidney, Mont. This year’s seminar will feature a great lineup of speakers, a fun, relaxed atmosphere and plenty of opportunities for beef producers to swap ideas and get acquainted.
This year’s featured speaker is Kit Pharo of the Pharo Cattle Company in Cheyenne Wells, Colo. Kit’s presentation is entitled “From Production to Profit in Ranching.” His thoughts and philosophies are geared towards helping ranchers increase their profits. Kit also shares his philosophies in a free bimonthly newsletter and weekly emails. To receive his newsletter and emails, send your request to Kit@PharoCattle.com.
Other topics during the first day include a talk on “Cooperative Monitoring” by Dennis Phillippi, President of the Society for Range Management. South Dakota State University Extension Beef Specialist Ken Olson will make a presentation on “Evaluating Alternative Strategies for Beef Production.”
Following the first day of the seminar, a social hour is planned at the Sidney Country Club with music by the XIT Gals. Taylor Brown of the Northern Broadcasting System will be the Master of Ceremonies for the banquet, with Governor Brian Schweitzer (invited) to give the keynote address. Entertainment will follow the keynote address from Ryan Taylor of North Dakota.
The second day of the event will begin with Wayne Burleson speaking on “The Art of Pasture Walking for Solutions.” Next will be Dr. Rachel Endecott, the Montana State University Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, with a talk on Biological Risk Management. The seminar will conclude with a local producer panel – topics will include using local by-products for feed supplement, and the effects of oil development in Richland County on area beef producers.
This year’s Winter Grazing Seminar is hosted by the Richland County Conservation District, in cooperation with the Governor’s Rangeland Resources Executive Committee (RREC) and the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC).
Registration for the seminar begins at 10 a.m. on Wednesday January 23rd. A pre-registration fee of $35.00 will be accepted through Jan. 11 and $40.00 thereafter.
For a registration form and more information, contact Julie Goss, Administrator, Richland County Conservation District at julie.goss@mt.nacdnet.net (406) 433-2103 x101 or Heidi Olbert, State Coordinator, Rangeland Resources Program at holbert@mt.gov (406) 444-6619.
