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*HMI Event* Kansas – Guardian Dogs, Small Ruminants, and Profitability: A Holistic Perspective

October 5, 2023 - October 6, 2023

Guardian Dogs, Small Ruminants, and Profitability: A Holistic Perspective

Two-Day Workshop
October 5-6, 2023
Graze the Prairie
13368 121st Rd, Winfield, Kansas 67156

$300/person or $400/couple (use code GDOG2)
Partial scholarships are available.
Registration deadline: October 2
Scholarship deadline: October 2

Increase your profits by protecting your small livestock.

Mitigate predation and reduce loss, injuries, and animal stress.

One of the biggest challenges to livestock farming or ranching is protecting your animals from predators. Here’s your chance to learn how to use livestock guardian dogs with sheep or other small ruminants! Bill Costanzo, Livestock Guardian Dog Research Specialist II at Texas A&M, will bring his years of experience and research to our 2-day workshop. We’ll discuss how to protect your livestock, the benefits of multispecies grazing, practical insights into raising animals on small acreages, animal and land monitoring, parasite control, animal nutrition, and so much more. We’ll also enjoy special locally-sourced lunches by “Chef to the Music” Gerard Rodriguez. This price is a steal!

Use Promo Code GDOG2 to purchase a 2nd ticket for $100.


Speakers

Bill Costanzo,
Livestock Guardian Dog

Research Specialist II,
Texas A&M
 AgriLife Research Center

Keith & Linda Long,
Owners and Operators of

Graze the Prairie,
HMI Certified Educator (Linda)

Wayne Knight,
Executive Director of Holistic Management International, HMI Certified Educator, and Rancher

Mike Wallace,
Owner of Double M,
Multispecies Grazing Expert,
Retired Associate Animal Scientist

Barry Barber,
Owner of Turkey Foot Ranch and Consulting, Expert in Sustainable Land Management

Abe,
Livestock Guardian Dog
 of Graze the Prairie’s Sheep, Fierce Protector, and Good Boy


Agenda

(Agenda subject to change.)

Day 1, October 5

TIME TOPIC
9:00 – 9:15am Welcome and Introduction
HMI Certified Educator and rancher Linda Pechin-Long will kick off our workshop, introduce you to the speakers, and establish the objectives for the 2-day event.
9:15 – 10:00am Icebreaker Activity
We’ll set a comfortable learning environment with a fun and engaging activity that will help you get to know each other.
10:00 – 11:00am Holistic Management as an Adaptive Management Tool
Wayne Knight, Executive Director of HMI, will deliver a comprehensive overview of Holistic Management® principles and how they can be utilized as an adaptive management tool for livestock farming.
11:00 – 11:15am Break
11:15am – 12:30pm Multispecies Grazing
Multispecies grazing expert Mike Wallace will discuss the benefits of multispecies grazing and its impact on the health of pastures and livestock.
12:30 – 1:30pm Locally-sourced lunch by “Chef to the Music” Gerard Rodriguez
1:30 – 2:45pm Small Ruminants on Small Acreages
Keith and Linda Long will share practical insights into raising small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, on small acreages. Topics will include pasture management and rotational grazing.
2:45 – 3:00pm Break
3:00 – 4:00pm Animal and Ecosystem Monitoring: Body Condition and Health
Animal and ecosystem monitoring expert Keith Long will emphasize the importance of monitoring livestock body condition and overall health for sustainable farming practices.
4:00 – 5:00pm Ecosystem Monitoring: Methods and Tools
Experienced Rangeland Management Specialist Barry Barber and Wayne Knight will present on ecosystem monitoring techniques and tools to assess the health of the land and its impact on livestock farming.

Day 2, October 6

TIME TOPIC
9:00 – 9:30am Welcome and Recap of Day 1
9:30 – 11:30am Livestock Guardian Dogs: Effective Training and Use
Learn how to protect your livestock from predators with livestock guardian dogs from Texas A&M training expert Bill Costanzo.
11:30am – 12:30pm Small Ruminants and Parasite Control
Linda Pechin-Long will discuss parasite control for small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, to ensure their health and productivity. Parasitic infections can harm these animals and their well-being.
12:30 – 1:30am Locally-sourced lunch by “Chef to the Music” Gerard Rodriguez
1:30 – 2:30pm Animal Nutrition and Performance
Nutritionist David Pankaskie of Western Feed Mill will discuss the importance of adequate intake of minerals and vitamins during crucial periods and how inadequate consumption can lead to reduced forage intake, hindered reproductive success, compromised immune systems that may render vaccines ineffective, illnesses, and delayed growth.
2:30 – 2:45pm Break
2:45 – 3:30pm Hands-On Workshops and Demonstrations
Are you ready to put all you’ve learned into practice? You’ll engage in practical, interactive exercises to help you take the next steps on your farm or ranch..
3:30 – 4:00pm Closing Remarks and Actionable Steps
Wayne Knight, Keith Long, and Linda Pechin-Long will conclude the workshop by summarizing key takeaways and actionable stops that you can implement in your farming or ranching practices.
4:00 – 5:00pm Networking and Wrap-up
We’ll close the 2-day workshop with an opportunity to network, exchange contact information, and discuss potential collaborations or future learning opportunities.

Use Promo Code GDOG2 to purchase a 2nd ticket for $100.


Lodging Option

All participants are responsible for their lodging and reservations, but we have secured a hotel block for those who wish to take advantage of the discount. Rooms are limited.

$75.00 +tax per night.
Quality Inn and Suites, 3800 S. Pike Road, Winfield Kansas, 67156
Please call the hotel at 620-221-7529 and use code HMI Workshop to receive the hotel block price.
You must book your room by September 24, 2023.

 


About Graze the Prairie

13368 121st Rd, Winfield, Kansas 67156

Keith and Linda Long are dedicated to being good stewards of the land and spreading awareness of good land stewardship and regenerative practices. Their goal is to work with nature to provide the best quality products to their customers. They don’t want their food to come from pastures treated with chemical fertilizer, or from animals that have been given antibiotics or growth hormones. They know you feel the same way.

When they use the term ‘Grass Fed’ it means the animals are never fed grain or concentrates. Their animals are on pasture year-round. Mineral supplements, clean water, and high-quality stored forages (hay) and organic alfalfa pellets are substituted for feeding during the winter months, if needed.

Holistically planned grazing mimics the movement of the animals that historically lived on the prairie and is in concert with how the prairie evolved. This provides their animals with the best life possible and helps preserve the remaining tall-grass prairie.


Cancellations:

Cancellations received before or within 7 days after the course begins will receive a 75% refund. No refunds will be given otherwise. This policy is required due to financial obligations incurred by HMI in planning these courses. We appreciate your understanding.

Money-Back Guarantee

HMI stands behind our training programs. If you participate fully in this training program by attending all sessions and completing all assignments satisfactorily, and if you are not completely satisfied within 10 days of program completion, we will refund your registration fees.

Media Policy:

By registering for this event, you hereby consent and agree that HMI has the right to take photographs, videotape, or digital recordings of you and to use these in any and all media, now or hereafter known, for HMI outreach and further consent that your name and identity may be revealed therein or by descriptive text or commentary.

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