FAYETTE, Mo. – Management intensive grazing boosts forage growth, cuts waste and adds livestock gains. A grazing school for area farmers will be taught June 14-15 in Fayette.

Both the science and art of grazing will be covered, says Heather Conrow, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. Topics are practical and local.

To start, large pastures are divided into smaller paddocks. Moving cattle protects the grass. It also provides fresh feed, which improves intake.

Classes will be taught in the Howard County Keller Building. However, they move to farms for practical hands-on training.

Enrollment is limited to 25. A fee, with discounts for couples, covers materials, breakfast, snacks and lunches.

The school starts 8 a.m. Thursday, June 14, and goes until 5 p.m. the following day. Topics cover both livestock and forages related to grazing, Conrow says. Fence building will be included.

Instructors are from the Howard County Soil and Water Conservation District and MU Extension. The opening session will be by Dee Vanderburg, state grazing specialist. Later, Mark Kennedy with the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council will tell how to rate farm resources.

The second day includes trips to area beef farms of Ron McBee and Meredith Land Co.

Sessions include both hands-on work and in-depth discussions.

A detailed agenda and printable sign-up form is at extension.missouri.edu/counties/howard. Questions go to Conrow at the MU Extension Center in Howard County, 660-248-2272.

Registrations go to Howard County SWCD, 745 State Route DD, Fayette, MO 65248.

The Keller Building is at 600 W. Morrison St., Fayette.