Teams compete to build best regenerative grazing operation
Participants in the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition Build a Regenerative Grazing System Contest were announced during the Heart of America Grazing Conference July 16 in Effingham. Pictured (left to right): Cambell Belcher, Lily Shireman, Harper Ritchey, Paycen Rogers, Kaylee Ladd, Landry Dunbar, Sidduh Thuppao, Conner Beyers, Rishi Shukla, Zach Menold, and ILGLC contest instructor Trevor Toland.
EFFINGHAM, Ill. — The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition sponsored its first-of-its-kind contest for youth July 16 in Effingham as part of the Heart of America Grazing Conference.
Ten participants, age 14 to 22, were given a 50-acre plot of land and asked to plan a regenerative grazing system that allowed for easy access to water, appropriately-sized paddocks for rotational grazing, and quality forage production. The contestants were supported in their efforts by seasoned graziers and industry educators as they sketched fence lines and water access and planned their rotational strategies.
Two teams tied for first place in the post high school division: The Green Team of Cambell Belcher and Lily Shireman and The Forage Folks of Harper Ritchey and Paycen Rogers.
The high school team of Rishi Shukla and Sidduh Thuppao, 4-H members from Bloomington, took home first place in the junior division.
Trevor Toland, longtime educator and acclaimed rotational grazing cattleman from Macomb, provided a grazing primer for the participants to study ahead of the contest and a brief training to begin the contest.
“I was pleased with the level of knowledge the participants came in with and the poise with which they presented their designs to the audience,” Toland says. “They gave careful consideration to the impact on both soil health and livestock health in their strategies.”
Mentors included ILGLC board and staff members: Cliff Schutte, Ted Krauskopf, Brett Mathews, and Logan Karcher; and Jason Tower of Purdue.
Each team presented their grazing plans to the group, including their plans for the three essential elements: water, fencing, and forage.