CORVALLIS, Ore. — Livestock producers looking to improve pasture health, boost forage productivity and strengthen their grazing systems have a new resource from the Oregon State University Extension Service.
Growing Farms: An Introduction to Pasture and Grazing Management is a free, self-paced online course created by Extension faculty in collaboration with OSU’s Professional and Continuing Education unit. The on-demand format allows learners to start anytime and progress at their own speed.
“Having this free course available comes at a time when Extension faculty are more frequently contacted by livestock producers about pasture and grazing,” said Melissa Fery, one of the course co-developers and an associate professor of practice and small farms specialist for the south Willamette Valley.
The course starts with a foundational concept: livestock producers are also grass and legume farmers, relying on the forage they grow to feed their animals. From this perspective, the training introduces key principles that support a more resilient forage-livestock system.
What the course covers
Learners receive guidance on core components of effective pasture and grazing management, including:
- The benefits of good pasture and grazing management.
- How to assess the condition of your pasture.
- How grasses grow and how management affects grass growth.
- The basics of rotational grazing and how to align it with pasture growth cycles.
- Irrigation, nutrient and weed management strategies.
- How to renovate a pasture.
- How to manage pastures throughout the growing season.
The estimated time to complete the course is two to four hours, with additional learning available through extensive supplemental resources.
Previously titled OSU Extension offers resource for pasture and grazing management
