The Kansas Graziers Association (KGA) Winter Conference will be held Saturday, January 19, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Salina, Ks. “Back to the Basics of Grazing Management” is the theme for this year’s conference.

“With so many new people interested in grazing management or wanting information on how to manage drought stressed pastures, we thought a full day of state experts on a number of critical topics was the best idea,” stated KGA secretary Mary Howell.

Speakers will include David Kraft, and Dwayne Rice, Kansas based USDA NRCS?Rangeland Management Specialists. Kraft will address drought management, and Rice will compare conventional grazing to MIG (management intensive grazing) and mob grazing. Gary Kilgore, retired KSU grass and forages specialist, will discuss soil health and fertility in grazing systems, and Dale Strickler, rancher educator, will cover plant physiology, forage options, and extending the grazing season. Rancher Ted Alexander will also lead a rancher/farmer panel on drought planning and general questions on grazing.

Registration fees are $50 for the first person per ranch, and $35 for a second person. Student registration is $25. The Courtyard Marriott is located at 3020 Riffel Drive, Salina, Ks., at the Schilling Road Exit from I-135.

Check the KRC?website at www.kansasruralcenter.org for registration forms and information, or contact Mary Howell at marshallcofair@gmail.com or 785-562-8726 .

Co-sponsors include the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, Kansas Rural Center, Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, and Kansas Farmers Union.

The Kansas Graziers Association is sponsoring a social at the conference headquarters starting at 7 p.m. Friday night, January 18 for those coming to Salina the night before. Everyone is welcome.