The 2010 Multi-species Grazing Academy was held September 17-19, 2010. University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University Small Ruminant Specialist An Peischel cam over to help teach the Academy. This year's Academy was greatly enhanced by conducting field work on actual ranches. Tony Fairchild of Goatbrushers provided goats, sheep, electric fencing materials, and a place to eat lunch. Dan Macon of Flying Mule Farm provided grass-finishing lambs, electric netting, and portable corrals. Ellen Skillings of Byrne's Border Collies provided border collies and demonstrated their skill in moving and controlling sheep.
Here are some comments from one Multi-Species Academy participant. "This year, it is great to hear the chatter between Tony and Randy. They are enthusiastic about what they have learned at the academy, and of course, it helps make me look not so picky when they realize they are getting the same instructions from you (the original sources)! When we met in the office on Monday a.m., we talked about areas on which they would like to focus. Tony is interested in animal health, Randy wants to learn more about plants and forage /browsing management. They were amased by what they already knew, and how that helped provide a structure for new information, and how much more there is to learn.
Kelsey's mom reports, Kelsey followed her all over the farm, digesting every aspect of the Academy aloud. I wondered, how a 14-yr old would evaluate the workshop? Kelsey loved the Browsing Academy. She is eager to step up efforts on herbal permanent pasture improvement, developing hedgerow forage, and acquiring portable fencing to better manage new areas. She thought discussion about minerals and the role different minerals play was especially interesting."
For more information on upcoming programs, email me at rsingram@ucdavis.edu.
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