Farm conference colombia Mo

[furholler]

We just got back from our 2 day whirlwind trip to Colombia, MO and the Small Farm Conference and Trade Show. I had the priveledge of going to a seminar each by Greg Judy and Jim Gerrish. Both fascinating men and extremely knowledgable. Money well spent, IMO. Grass farming is a deep subject. I think these guys just scratched the surface and could talk for days and not expound on every thing they know. Good stuff.

[Slev]

I was there for my first time this year. I took my young dogs to the Danny Shilling Training Clinic. We had a great time! I didn't get to catch some of the other classes offered, there was a lot going on. Although I hear it's smaller than what it used to be...

we need to start another thread of "Farm Trade Shows to visit" ...there is one in Peoria, IL at the end of this month. Greater Peoria Farm Show, I believe.

[Up North]

furholler - OK, I'm John Deere green with envy, LOL. GJ and JG are a coupla fellows I could listen to all day.
Any Specific statements or strategies that really made an impression on you?

[furholler]

Originally Posted by Up North

furholler - OK, I'm John Deere green with envy, LOL. GJ and JG are a coupla fellows I could listen to all day.
Any Specific statements or strategies that really made an impression on you?

Jim Gerrish spoke on year-round grazing. Although I am a LOT smaller than him, I think just the knowledge he shared on specific grass species is worth the money. He spent some time talking about stock piling tall fescue because of it's cold season nutritional value and it's potential yield-2000-8,000 lbs/acre.

Greg Judy was all about mob density grazing. This guy is grazing 500,000 lbs of beef per acre! But in this talk, I gleened the value of density grazing and the imediate (almost) benefit to the soil. It helps feed the microbes in the soil, thereby promoting excellent growth. He measured an inch and a half of growth 24 hours after he moved the cattle. 24 hours! Wow.

These guys know their stuff. There was so much but I'll share what I can.

[Up North]

I have Jim Gerrish's Compact Disc. It was recorded at a seminar and there is a lot of background noise so it's a little hard to hear(for me). I felt his book is more valuable as it goes into more detail. Yes he is knowledgable on utilizing fescue profitably.

Greg Judy is a fascinating individual. Takes some big cahoneys to go against the grain(pun intended) and successfully do what many would say "That won't work".

[furholler]

Originally Posted by Up North

I have Jim Gerrish's Compact Disc. It was recorded at a seminar and there is a lot of background noise so it's a little hard to hear(for me). I felt his book is more valuable as it goes into more detail. Yes he is knowledgable on utilizing fescue profitably.

Greg Judy is a fascinating individual. Takes some big cahoneys to go against the grain(pun intended) and successfully do what many would say "That won't work".

I belive that Greg Judy got his start on UHSDG from a guy in Africa. They have suffered trough a very long draught there and this dude is the only one that has green grass. I forget the amount of livestock the African fellow is running, but it was astronomical/acre. There is a guy in Nebraska that is running 1 million pounds of beef per acre, Mr. Judy said that this fella has gotten as much as 2 million pounds/acre.

I asked Jim Gerrish if he was opposed to Ultra-High-Stock-Density-Grazing. He said that he isn't at all, that he's just lazy. The high stock guys are moving cattle 2-3 times a day. Mr. Gerrish and his MiG technique moves his once every 2-3 days. Although, he said that he will "densify" if he needs to clean something up. Works very well. Greg Judy said he even got his cattle to clean up Cockleburrs. And they loved it.

Just a note: Mr. Judy is running 500,000 lbs/acre and Mr. Gerrish is running 50,000-100,000 lbs/acre. Either way you look at it, or what technique you espouse, they are both successful.

[65284]

Greg has always done things a little differently, and has been very succesful. I've know him since he was a youngster, he rode the school bus I sometimes drove as a sub driver. And later I delivered the family's mail for many years. He lives just a few miles from us. An interesting family, his Dad and Uncle used to train and race harness horses.

[furholler]

Originally Posted by 65284

Greg has always done things a little differently, and has been very succesful. I've know him since he was a youngster, he rode the school bus I sometimes drove as a sub driver. And later I delivered the family's mail for many years. He lives just a few miles from us. An interesting family, his Dad and Uncle used to train and race harness horses.

He seems like a great guy. I caught him after his class and thanked him. He was very nice and polite. He strongly encouraged me to read his books. Do you employ any of his techniques with your Dexters? (This is the fella I was talking to right?)

[65284]

Originally Posted by furholler

He seems like a great guy. I caught him after his class and thanked him. He was very nice and polite. He strongly encouraged me to read his books. Do you employ any of his techniques with your Dexters? (This is the fella I was talking to right?)

Yep, this is me, and I enjoyed visiting with you. I do not use his ideas or methods. I'm not a big enough producer to do it. I do some rotational grazing and try to stockpile some grass for late fall/early winter grazing.

[furholler]

Originally Posted by 65284

Yep, this is me, and I enjoyed visiting with you. I do not use his ideas or methods. I'm not a big enough producer to do it. I do some rotational grazing and try to stockpile some grass for late fall/early winter grazing.

Do you feed hay, then?

[65284]

Originally Posted by furholler

Do you feed hay, then?

Yes, I have to feed hay. I don't have enough land to do anything else, and still keep enough animals to make it worthwhile.

[furholler]

I hear that. What do you think an unregistered pregnant heiffer might be worth? (Dexter, of course.)