"Grass farming"--the practice of raising livestock on pasture and hay with less or no grain-feeding--has attracted much interest among small farmers in the Northeast in the past 15 years. Advocates point to research showing that animals raised on grass can improve animal health, minimize costs to farmers, increase farm profits, improve soil health and fertility, and improve the nutritional quality of the meat, eggs, and dairy products they provide," says Dorothy Perkins, UNH Cooperative Extension agricultural program coordinator.

"However, grass farming requires a wide variety of specialized skills and knowledge best learned from experienced graziers."

On Saturday, March 6, the 4th N.H. Statewide Grazing conference will be held at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.

"This year's theme, 'Growing Greener Pastures' will focus on using leased land for grazing and building soils to increase herd health," says Perkins, the conference coordinator. "New Hampshire doesn't have a lot of big tracts of agricultural land that lend themselves easily to grazing," That makes grass farming more difficult than it is out West. As a result, people trying to raise animals on pasture must learn how to adapt grazing principles developed for Western livestock production to Granite State farmland."

Greg Judy, author of "No Risk Ranching" and "Comeback Farm", will discuss his success with high-density grazing, and custom grazing on leased land, while Doug Gunnick, author of "Sustainable Farming Guide book", will guide folks through the fundamentals of growing pastures with animal nutrition and health in mind.

Throughout the day, New Hampshire speakers will lend insight into grazing fundamentals: developing grazing plans, parasites as they relate to grazing practices, fundamentals of balanced rationing, benefits of converting your dairy to a pasture based operation and fencing fundamentals.

Directions: Academic Center, Building #23, across from parking lot 9W

For more information or to register: Mary West, or call 603-796-2151.

Sponsored by the Granite State Graziers, the USDA-NRCS, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the North Country RC&D Council.