PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University has scheduled two back-to-back meetings for livestock producers interested in weed control and making a profit.
Don Nelson, WSU extension beef specialist, will conduct a Planning for Profit Workshop, Thursday, Nov. 20, and a Weed Management Using Multi-Species Grazing Conference, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22.
Both meetings will be at the Quality Inn and Suites, Clarkston, Wash.
Nelson said the Planning for Profit Workshop will provide an overview of a planning process that helps ranchers prioritize expenditures to ensure they are compatible with their long-term goals while also being profitable.
“The importance of managing operations that are socially, ecologically and economically responsible will be emphasized,” Nelson said.
Registration to the Planning for Profit workshop is limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-serve basis. The workshop will cost $30 per person or $50 per couple until Nov. 7. After that date, registration will cost $10 more per person, $20 more for couples.
The multi-species grazing conference will feature an old tool as part of a modern integrated pest management program to control weeds.
Nelson invites ranchers, “Come learn about environmentally friendly, solar-powered, self-propelled weed-eaters that carry their own fermentation vat and fertilizer spreading capability while producing no fossil fuel exhaust or noise pollution. They are leather covered and come in various shapes, sizes and color combinations. Several models are available that can target specific types of problem plants.”
The old tool is multi-species grazing with cattle, sheep and goats to enhance rangeland for livestock and big game.
Speakers will relate on-the-ground experiences with multi-species grazing. The program is part of a USDA funded regional project. It will include 30 participants from four states, representing federal agencies, county weed boards, extension workers and ranchers, Nelson said.
The conference will conclude with a session in which participants explore how what they learned at the conference can be applied when they return home.
Registration to the multi-species conference is limited to 100 people on a first-come-first-serve basis. The conference will cost $25 per person or $45 per couple until Nov. 7. After that, registration will cost an additional $5.
More information and on-line registration with payment by credit card are available at http://www.emmps.wsu.edu/Eservices/online.html.
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