2022 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium
on Grazing Management for Goats and Sheep
Friday Sept. 16th through Saturday Sept 17th
Frank Morrison Hall, 507 Tower Rd.,
Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
Details about Workshops, Parking & Lodging
Workshop Descriptions
Pasture walk at the Cornell Solar Farms. Scott Morris (Res. Technician at the Cornell Weed Ecology and Mgmt. Lab) will discuss the various forages and broadleaf plants found at the farm and how the plant ecology varies depending on initial plants seeded and grazing density. Dr. Niko Kochendoerfer will discuss management aspects of grazing sheep.
Forage walk at the Cornell Forage Plots. Dr. Julie Hansen will point out the performance of various seed varieties in the Cornell Forage Project Trials
Managed Grazing 101. “We’ll discuss the basic principles of managing forage demand from your flock or herd with the forage supplied from your land. How to do the basic calculations to determine if your forage demand and supply are in balance, how many acres you need, if your acres can support the number of animals you have, and the number and size of paddocks will also be covered. Resources for technical assistance on grazing systems and management will be provided as well.” Karen Hoffman (Animal Science & Grazing Management Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service).
Forage Basics. “Come learn to identify a wide array of Northeast forages. We’ll discuss their unique characteristics and how to establish and maintain them.” Dr. Julie Hansen, Cornell Univ. Forage Breeding Project Research Team.
Making Grazing Management Decisions. “Managing your small ruminant pastures requires paying attention to the details to achieve optimum productivity. Rich will discuss the various decisions you make and how they impact the nutritional value of the pasture for the animals, the overall growth and resilience of the pasture plants, as well as how these decisions plays a role in parasite management.” Rich Toebe, Watershed Livestock Specialist, Cornell Coop. Ext. (CCE) Delaware County Watershed Ag Program.
Solving Problem Spots in your Pastures. “Are you noticing reduced forage yields or animal capacity? Are specific weeds becoming a problem or are you having to deal with standing water, or stones or trying to revitalize high traffic and sacrifice areas? We’ll discuss strategies for coping with these issues and also tie some of them back to the ecological succession in the Northeast that results in many of our pastures “wanting” to be forests.” Dr. Kitty O’Neil (Regional Field Crops & Soils Specialist, CCE Northern NY Regional Ag Team).
Potential Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Pastured Small Ruminants. “We’ll discuss progress and disappointments for new tools being studied.” Dr. Katherine Petersson (Assoc. Professor Univ. of Rhode Island)
Grazing Sheep on Solar Farms. Lewis Fox (Agricoltaic Solutions and Fox Farm) will discuss the business aspect and facilities needed. Dr. Niko Kochendoerfer (Cornell Sheep & Goat Program, Fox Farm) will discuss the impacts of different grazing management systems on the sheep, forages and pollinator species.
Using Goats to Manage Vegetation Challenges and Enhance Grazing Environments and Landscape. Donald Arrant (Fat & Sassy Goats) and Brett Chedzoy (Sr. Resource Educator Ag & Natural Resources, CCE Schuyler County, owner of silvopasture based farms in NY and Argentina) will share their experiences creating positive grazing impacts using goats and other livestock to reduce problematic plants and promote healthier, more productive pastures, silvopastures and green spaces. Donald will discuss business models & opportunities; logistics, infrastructure needed for effective veg mgmt. with goats and contractual considerations. Brett will emphasize underlying causes of undesirable vegetation complexes; strengths/weakness of goats vs. other livestock; vegetation management matrix (goats + other tools for successful outcomes); protecting vulnerable young trees; establishing productive silvopastures in degraded farm woodlands and invasive shrublands.
Parking: If you are attending the pasture walks on Friday, please be sure to check them off on your registration form so we can be sure to send you their campus locations and parking instructions. Parking is free at Cornell University in most lots on Saturday. However, avoid parking in loading or visitor zones requiring special permits. We recommend parking in the North Morrison Lot (O/B or Zone 4122) near the east entrance of Morrison Hall or in the South Morrison Lot (O/B)on the corner of Campus Rd. and Judd Falls Rd. Both lots are easily accessed from Judd Falls Rd. If parking in these lots, enter Morrison Hall through the East Entrance. Handicapped parking is available next to the East Entrance. Attendees can also park in the Peterson Lot (PM Zone 4122) on the corner of Judd Falls & Tower Roads kitty corner from Morrison Hall and accessible from Tower Rd. If parking at Peterson Lot, plan to enter Morrison through the front entrance into the building on the corner of Judd Falls & Tower Roads.
Lodging: We have blocked a limited number of rooms at the Cayuga Blu Hotel (phone: 607-257-3100) 2310 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850) on Sept 16th and 17th for $169.99/night plus tax. Rooms will be held until Sept 1st; specify “Sheep Goat Symposium” to get this rate. After Sept 1st, the hotel will only honor this rate if they still have rooms available. Additional options for lodging in Ithaca can be found at https://www.visitithaca.com/lodging . You can also check out hotels in Cortland, NY. Reservations for cabins and tent sites at State Park Campgrounds (Treman, Buttermilk and Taughannack) are at https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
