Kentucky Grazing Conference - Winchester

The University of Kentucky is proud to announce the 2025 Kentucky Grazing Conference, Grazing for Profit: Optimizing Returns in Grass-Based Operations. This conference will be offered in two locations: Winchester (October 28) and Leitchfield (October 30). 

This year’s conference focuses on optimizing profits and returns on grass-based operations, building resiliency into your grazing system and managing costs. Presentations will cover topics such as managing expenses and costs in livestock operations, breeding functional livestock, nutrient cycling in grassland ecosystems, forage management for shifting weather patterns, bale grazing and more.

Both events will begin at 7:30 a.m. local time and wrap up around 3:30 p.m. The day will include presentations from Jim Gerrish of American GrazingLands Services and Cody Rakes of Loretto Motherhouse Farm, as well as University of Kentucky faculty Ray Smith, Greg Halich, Ricardo Riberio and Chris Teutsch.

“We’re excited to welcome University of Kentucky Plant and Soil Sciences alum Jim Gerrish back to the Commonwealth,” said Chris Teutsch. “Jim is a well-known expert on regenerative grazing and has innovative ideas on how to improve pasture profitability.”

This conference is supported by the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, Kentucky Beef Network and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. 

Registration is $45 and includes educational materials and lunch. Register at https://2025grazingconferenceeast.eventbrite.com/. 

For any questions, please contact Caroline Roper at caroline.roper@uky.edu or 270-704-6618.

Agenda - All times are local

7:30 AM - Registration & Refreshments
8:00 AM - Welcome - Dr. Ray Smith, University of Kentucky
8:15 AM - Seven Things That I Have Learned About Profitable Ranching in the Last 45 Years, Jim Gerrish, American GrazingLands Services
9:15 AM - Nutrient Cycling in Grassland Ecosystems, Dr. Ricardo Riberio, University of Kentucky
10:00 AM - Break & Visit with Sponsors
10:30 AM - Forage Management for Shifting Weather Patterns, Dr. Chris Teutsch, University of Kentucky
11:00 AM - Breeding a Functional Cow that Works in Your Environment, Cody Rakes, Loretto Motherhouse Farm
11:40 AM - Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council Business Meeting & Awards
12:00 PM - Lunch & Visit with Sponsors
1:00 PM - Forage Spokesperson Contest/Local Producers
2:00 PM - What We Have Learned About Bale Grazing, Dr. Greg Halich, University of Kentucky
2:45 PM - Managing Feed Costs in Ruminant Livestock Production Systems, Jim Gerrish, American GrazingLands Services
3:30 PM - Adjourn