Get advice from producers who graze livestock successfully

BREESE, Ill. — The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition will host two grazing schools this September, giving producers across the state hands-on, practical instruction to help them implement and expand managed grazing on their own operations.

Farmers will have two opportunities to attend a Grazing School: 

• Saturday, September 12 at Evan Schuette’s beef cattle farm in Iuka, IL

• Friday, September 18 at Greg Thoren’s beef cattle farm in Stockton, IL

Each school combines classroom-style instruction with in-field, pasture-based learning led by the host farmers, ILGLC staff and other experienced graziers.

"Our goal with these schools is to meet producers where they are at with practical instruction they can take straight back to the farm,” says Christian Lovell, Executive Director of ILGLC. “Whether someone is just getting started or looking to fine-tune an existing system, they will walk away with tools and strategies they can use right away."

Attendees will move through a full day of pasture-based learning, including:

• Basics of adaptive grazing

• Stocking density and paddock design

• Soil and pasture health

• Plant identification

• Fence and water systems

• Winter feeding strategies

• Economics of grazing 

• And more!

Registration is $25 per attendee and includes instruction, handouts, lunch, and refreshments. Space is limited, and advance registration is required at ilgrazinglands.org/events.

These grazing schools are part of ILGLC's ongoing effort, through partnership with the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service to offer accessible education to farmers throughout Illinois, helping producers of all experience levels build more profitable, resilient operations through regenerative grazing.