Posts by makenny

The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council (VFGC) wishes to promote and expand the efficient utilization of forages to improve the economic and social well-being of all Virginians and enhance the beauty of the Commonwealth. Each year we recognize an outstanding forage and/or livestock producer in Virginia. This award is presented to an exceptional producer who has implemented innovative forage and […]

The 2025 American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Meeting was held in Kissimmee, Florida in early January. A group of farmers and Virginia Tech faculty attended the conference. Here are several highlights from the event. Summer Thomas, who successfully defended her dissertation in May 2024 and currently works as a Farmer Support and Project Coordinator at Virginia Tech, won 2nd […]

The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council give out several awards, one of which is the Harlan White Distinguished Service Award. The Harlan White Award is not awarded every year but is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service to the forage industry. This year’s recipient is a producer, a leader in the industry, and a longtime supporter of the […]

Register early space is limited to 30 Join us for this comprehensive shortcourse on how to design and implement a managed grazing system: fence layout & grazing system design plant growth & grazing management pasture soil fertility & soil health matching forage quality & livestock needs If you have questions please contact Alston Horn 540-487-9060 or email ahorn@cbf.org Fill out […]

Designed with beginning and experienced producers in mind, this 2-day, intensive course will teach you everything you need to know to better manage grazing on your farm. Basic pasture and forage management Soil fertility & nutrient management Fundamentals of grazing management Designing a rotational grazing system Installing and using electric fencing Strategies to extend the grazing season Matching forage quality […]

Matt Booher, Rockingham County Extension Agent, has started a weekly digital forage mini-newsletter. If you would like to get on the email list to receive this, please contact Matt at mrbooher@vt.edu.  

As a farmer in Virginia and a VFGC member, I’m sure you met David Fiske. Over the last 18 years, David served as a dedicated Board member of the VFGC and Superintendent of the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center. So many of us benefitted from David’s service and dedication to Virginia agriculture as participants in research farm tours, […]

By: JB Daniel, USDA-NRCS State Grazing Specialist Jerry and Judy Ingle partnered with the Black Diamond RC&D, the local Extension agent along with the Soil and Water District and NRCS to host an educational meeting emphasizing the practice of stockpiling and strip-grazing fescue over the winter. The event was held on February 19, 2019 and began with 33 participants attending […]

David Allen Fiske, (age 59) of Steeles Tavern Virginia died unexpectedly from a sudden illness on Friday, November 16, 2018. He was born on September 14, 1959 in Charlottesville Virginia. David spent his younger years on the family farm and surrounding community near Aldie, Virginia. David was a loving son, brother, uncle, dedicated agriculturalist, community volunteer and caring friend to […]

Stockpiling fescue in late summer and fall offers a great opportunity to extend the grazing season well past our growing season and decrease your hay feeding days. As you know, winter feed costs are the largest expense item in the annual operating budget for a commercial cow-calf operation.  Many farmers over the years have learned to stockpile fescue in the […]