The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is excited to invite you to participate in a symposium at the 8th National GLC conference, December 6-9, 2021 in Myrtle Beach, SC. The focus of the symposium is how to use regenerative grazing principles to develop highly productive perennial pastures for the tall fescue belt.
There is great interest in improving ecosystem services from grassland through adaptive grazing management. Short, intensive grazing bouts followed by long rest periods is the key to all rotational grazing management systems. Implementing proven grazing practices in an adaptive approach that addresses the environmental, economic and social needs of the system improves soil health (through soil carbon sequestration and other mechanisms), forage production and diversity, and animal productivity. The approach has recently been called “Regenerative Grazing” because it in general will help build soil over the long-term, while helping support a profitable farm. A common goal of many “regenerative graziers” is to sell pasture-finished/grass-fed meats on the local market.
Tall fescue is the dominant base forage in a large portion of the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-south and the Midwest US. Unfortunately, most fall fescue is the variety KY31 which contains a toxic endophyte that threatens the long-term success of a regenerative management system, especially when it requires a higher level of animal production (like local meats). Adaptive grazing will generally lead to improved plant diversity, but as long as toxic fescue is part of the system it will dominate pastures and impart its well defined problems with animal welfare and production.
This symposium will start with a brief background on the toxic endophyte and how novel endophyte tall fescue varieties have been developed to have the benefits of infected tall fescue without the toxicity problems. We will then explore renovation options including using diverse mixtures of annuals to bridge between perennials. Finally, we will discuss how to develop a successful mix of perennial forages that will meet the long-term goals of a regenerative grazing system.
Speakers will include farmers with experience using diverse annuals and perennials in tall fescue pasture renovation, and members of the Alliance for Grassland Renewal with firsthand knowledge of fescue toxicosis and tall fescue pasture renovation. Participants will learn about the exciting potential in the tall fescue belt to dramatically improve animal performance while transitioning to an adaptive grazing management system that regenerates healthy soils and farm profitability.
Join us in Myrtle Beach to explore how to develop successful regenerative grazing systems for the tall fescue belt. Learn more about the conference and register to attend here.
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue technology through education, incentives, self-regulation and promotion. For more resources or to learn more about the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, go to www.grasslandrenewal.org
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal 