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Join us for the first Pasture Walk of the season at Andy Duke’s, Burnley Farm near Beaverdam, VA. In just two short years Andy has transformed this from a cropping system to an improved grazing system including 50 acres of novel endophyte tall fescue and 18 acres of a native grass mix supporting his cow herd. Click here for flyer […]

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 […]

The Rockingham County Extension Office is hosting a crabgrass seed pool. The variety we are offering this year is Quick-n-Big Spreader, developed by Dalrymple Farms of Thomas, Oklahoma. This is an improved forage crabgrass with an upright growth form plus the capacity to spread, ideal for sacrifice pastures, feeding areas, or as a summer forage component in thinning pastures. A […]

Join VFGC as we explore How Stockmanship, Infrastructure, and Forage Management can work together to work for you.   Curt Pate has worked across the U. S. to teach effective stockmanship principles based on his lifelong experience in ranching and animal handling.  His “for profit” approach highlights the increased economic benefits of handling stock correctly – not only chute side, […]

Extending the Sheep Grazing Season using Brassicas will be held on Tuesday, November 15th from 11 am to 2pm.  The speakers will discuss: Strategies for successful establishment of brassicas and cool season annuals and legumes Learn about grazing strategies using turnips with sheep Temporary electric fencing for small ruminants SL-10E Cost Share Program For more information click the flyer here […]

These workshops are designed for farmers looking to transform their farm operation into a profitable business with less work and stress. Dave Pratt has helped thousands of farm families build happier, healthier lives and improve the health and productivity of  millions of acres and will be leading this 2-day advanced workshop . Dave began his career with the University of […]

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.  

Keith Tuck, Tuck Farms, Moneta VA Keith Tuck owns and operates a commercial cow-calf operation in an all grass production system. He typically carries 100 cow-calf pairs and develops about 15-20 replacement heifers. The farm is located just north of Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, VA, in southern Bedford County. Historically this had been a tobacco farm and about 20 […]

Demonstrating conversion of tall fescue to native warm season grasses for greater livestock performance and better environmental outcomes Project Background While tall fescue (Schedonorous arundinaceus) is the predominant forage species in Virginia pasture systems, the species has limited productivity during the summer months. In addition, most of the tall fescue in Virginia is infected with an endophyte that produces ergot […]

Please contact John Fike at jfike@vt.edu or Gabriel Pent at gpent@vt.edu regarding these events. Are you interested in starting a pasture-finished beef operation or improving your existing forage-finished beef operation? If so, consider attending one of the upcoming Pasture-Finished Beef Production Meetings held at three convenient locations around Virginia. These workshops are part of a collaborative effort between Virginia Tech, […]