Illinois Forage Institute 2026
We’ve gathered all the help you need to run a successful forage and livestock operation together in one room. This year’s Institute will focus on high-quality educational sessions and producer engagement, bringing together an expected 100 to 150 farmers, landowners, and industry professionals from across the state.
Build a Regenerative Grazing System Contest
Be creative as you plan a successful regenerative grazing system using adaptive practices. The contest includes a short quiz on your understanding of adaptive grazing practices. Then, apply what you’ve learned by mapping out a grazing system, including forage maintenance, pasture design, and grazing rotation schedules.
Virtual Fence Pasture Walk
Virtual fence technology is generating a lot of interest among Illinois graziers, and John Nerganah is putting it to use on his cow-calf operation.
Cropland Grazing Pasture Walk
What does a cropland-to-pasture conversion on a diversified farm look like after three years? Join us for a free pasture walk at Hartzell Kaeb's operation in Cissna Park for your chance to see it in action.
Grow and Graze: Producing High-Value Forage
Learn what other Illinois producers are doing to improve their grazing and forage operations.
Southern Indiana Grazing Conference
An all-star lineup explores the benefits of regenerative grazing practices for producers and soil, including forage development, bale grazing, livestock nutritional needs, and pasture management.
Grow and Graze: Infrastructure: Fencing and Watering
Learn what other Illinois producers are doing to improve their grazing and forage operations.
Profitable Pastures Grazing School
Integrate pasture grazing into your farming operation and come up with practical strategies for managing your land that increase profits and improve soil health.
Grow and Graze: Soil Health
Learn what other Illinois producers are doing to improve their grazing and forage operations.
Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting
Get updates from the Dudley Smith Research Farm, including cattle production and profitability, cattle market outlook, and soil health.
Driftless Region Beef Conference 2026
Providing research-based beef production information to beef producers in the Driftless Region of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Beef Quality Assurance BQA Training: Fairview
These sessions serve as the beef industry’s best source of continuing education and will provide producers with up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality.
Beef Quality Assurance BQA Training: Sycamore
These sessions serve as the beef industry’s best source of continuing education and will provide producers with up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality.
Beef Quality Assurance BQA Training: Greenville
These sessions serve as the beef industry’s best source of continuing education and will provide producers with up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality.
Beef Quality Assurance BQA Training: Congerville
These sessions serve as the beef industry’s best source of continuing education and will provide producers with up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality.
Grow and Graze Winter Webinar
Our Grow and Graze webinars connect producers to peers and experts who have implemented successful grazing strategies.
Beef Quality Assurance BQA Training: Elizabeth
These sessions serve as the beef industry’s best source of continuing education and will provide producers with up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality.
Beef Quality Assurance BQA Training: Teutopolis
These sessions serve as the beef industry’s best source of continuing education and will provide producers with up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality.
ACRES ECO-AG Conference 2025
You will have direct, small-classroom access to the top minds in eco-agriculture, where you can learn the real details behind their success, and ask questions specific to your farm or operation.
2025 Kentucky Grazing Conference: Leitchfield
The conference, Grazing for Profit: Optimizing Returns in Grass-Based Operations, features Jim Gerrish, Dr. Greg Halich, Dr. Chris Teutsch, Dr. Ray Smith, Cody Rakes, Dr. Ricardo Riberio, and local producers.
Profitability in Ruminant Livestock Operations
Join us for a small group workshop led by Jim Gerrish examining factors impacting profitability and outlining cost-effective solutions for increasing net return in ruminant livestock operations.
2025 Kentucky Grazing Conference: Winchester
The conference, Grazing for Profit: Optimizing Returns in Grass-Based Operations, features Jim Gerrish, Dr. Greg Halich, Dr. Chris Teutsch, Dr. Ray Smith, Cody Rakes, Dr. Ricardo Riberio, and local producers.
2025 UKY Fencing School: Russell Springs
This program is designed for producers and agricultural professionals to learn the newest fencing methods and sound fencing construction through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning.
Cattlevoltaics: Solar Cattle Grazing Update
As the solar grazing world continues to evolve, cattle are becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation, offering new opportunities for land use on solar sites.
2025 UKY Fencing School: Elizabeth
This program is designed for producers and agricultural professionals to learn the newest fencing methods and sound fencing construction through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning.
Virtual Fence Foundations: Pasture Nutrient Management
Pasture Nutrient Management: Join us for a discussion on pasture fertility management and how virtual fencing might be a tool for improved nutrient distribution.
ILGLC Grazing School: Waltonville
We’ll spend two days discussing ways to build soil health through profitable regenerative practices, including rotational grazing, pasture infrastructure upgrades, and innovative marketing options.
Summer Regional Bison Conference
Learn about Bison Health, Low Stress Handling, Dealing with Drought, and Bale Grazing. Hosted by the White Oaks Bison Farm and the Illinois Indiana Bison Association.
Kentucky Intermediate Grazing School
This high-quality hands-on program is an excellent opportunity for livestock producers and agricultural and conservation professionals to enhance their grazing skills.
Grow and Graze Fall Webinar
Grow and Graze is designed to connect producers to peers and experts who have successfully implemented grazing strategies. We’re creating a space where producers can share what’s working in their grazing systems and help one another make more informed, profitable decisions.
ILGLC Grazing School: Cambridge
You’ll learn the basics of of adaptive grazing, soil and forage health, water and fencing systems, and extending the grazing season for multispecies grazing.
Adding Small Ruminants to Your Operation
Thinking about expanding your livestock operation? Curious about the benefits of adding sheep or goats to your grazing system? Join the National Grazing Lands Coalition for an insightful webinar, Adding Small Ruminants to Your Operation.