Yellowstone Times

Montana State University and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station are set to co-host the 406 Grazing Academy from June 3 to June 5 in Havre. The event, organized in collaboration with the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program, the Northern Agricultural Research Center, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Rangeland Resources Program, aims to provide an immersive learning experience in grazing management.

The academy will include hands-on activities such as soil health and pasture walks, riparian area grazing, clipping and soil texturing exercises, and demonstrations of stocking rate and density. Additional topics include plant identification, photo monitoring, animal nutrition, and the economics of grazing systems. The event will also feature speakers, live grazing demonstrations, guided tours of the Northern Agricultural Research Center, and evening campfire discussions.

According to the organizers, presenters will include notable individuals such as Rachel Frost from the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program, staff from NRCS and DNRC, and local ranchers.

The registration fee for the grazing academy is $150, covering lunch, dinner, educational materials, and field exercises for the duration of the event. Attendees are responsible for their own accommodation and travel costs. A group rate is available at the Havre Inn & Suites for participants using the code “Montana DNRC.”

Registration is open until May 15 or until all spots are filled. Those interested can register at www.mtrangelands.org/406ga, where a full agenda is also available. For further inquiries, participants can contact Rachel Frost at frost@montana.edu or DNRC program manager Stacey Barta at sbarta@mt.gov.