Educational Events

University of Maryland Extension offers several forage-related educational programs throughout the year in a variety of formats including conferences, field days, webinars, short courses, and online programming. For specific details about upcoming programs and events, click on the specific event links listed below. You can also find a full list of the upcoming forage-related events on the Maryland Forages events page on Facebook.

Want to receive regular updates via email for upcoming forage-related news and events? Join our Maryland Forage Focus email listserv!

Forage Focus Email List

Upcoming Events

  • Regional Grazing Conference

    Dec 14th | 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
    Boonsboro, MD

  • MDA Nutrient Management Training

    Dec 19th | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
    Annapolis, MD

  • MDA Nutrient Management Training

    Jan 9th | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
    New Midway, MD

  • Southern MD Forage Conference

    Jan 16th | 9 AM - 5 PM
    Prince Frederick, MD

  • Western MD Forage Conference

    Jan 17th | 9 AM - 5 PM
    McHenry, MD

  • Central MD Forage Conference

    Jan 18th | 9 AM - 5 PM
    Mt. Airy, MD

Field Days

Forage Field Day

Field days are typically held as half-day or evening workshops with opportunities for hands-on participation and discussion. Topics vary from event to event but usually include information on pasture and grazing management, hay production, nutrient management, and/or forage-related research updates. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below.

2023 Field Days

  • Pasture Management Field Day - April 19, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at UMD Dairy - April 27, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at Goose Hill Farm - May 31, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at Clear Spring Creamery - June 22, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at Western Maryland Research and Education Center - July 11, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at Leaning Pine Farm - August 21, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at Aerie Farm East - September 28, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at Ambling Brook Farm - October 18, 2023
  • Pasture Walk at Sasscer Farms - November 13, 2023

Stay tuned for 2024 dates and locations!

Grazing Schools

Grazing School

Designed with producer interests in mind, these 2-day grazing schools will offer a more in-depth education on pasture, grazing management, and farm sustainability. Enrollment is limited to keep group sizes small and allow for more hands-on activities, interaction, and networking opportunities. Reserve your spot today and come learn everything you need to know to better manage grazing on your farm! For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below.

2023 Maryland Grazing Schools

  • Maryland Grazing School - September 21-22, 2023
  • Ranching for Profit Workshop - October 12-13, 2023

Stay tuned for 2024 dates and locations!

Webinars

Onine meeting on laptop computer

Webinars are typically held as one hour sessions with opportunities for participant Q&A and discussion. Topics vary but may include information on pasture and grazing management, forage production, hay selection and feeding, and nutrient management for forages. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below. 

Women in Agriculture Webinar Series

  • Alternate Fertility Sources for Forage Systems - July 12, 2023
  •  

Recordings from previous webinars are also available for viewing on the Maryland Forages YouTube Channel or the Maryland Beef Extension YouTube Channel. Stay tuned for additional webinar opportunities in 2024!

Recordings from Previous Webinars

Short Courses/Workshops

Forage_Events_FescueRenovation

Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops

Toxic tall fescue reduces livestock weight gains and lowers reproductive performance. This one day workshop is put on by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal and focuses on managing tall fescue toxicity and integrating novel tall fescue varieties into a grazing system. Speakers include local producers, company representatives, and Extension specialists from across the country. For details on upcoming workshops, click on the link below.

Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops

Cattle Grazing Pasture

Beef Short Courses

University of Maryland Extension and the Department of Animal Science have partnered up for these short courses which provide producers with educational information and hands-on training in several areas of beef production. Focus areas vary slightly from year to year but may include topics such as basic beef cattle production, beef cattle reproduction, and pasture development and management. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the link below.

Beef Short Course Information

Annual Conferences

Maryland-Delaware Forage Council; University of Maryland Extension; University of Delaware Extension

Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences

The Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences are held each year in January at four locations across Delaware and Maryland and cover educational information on all things forage. This educational series is a joint effort between the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council, University of Maryland Extension, and University of Delaware Extension. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below.

2024 Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences

Maryland-Delaware Forage Council

Recordings from 2022 Virtual Conference

Northeast Pasture Consortium

Northeast Pasture Consortium Conference

The Northeast Pasture Consortium Conference is held annually at different locations across the Northeast. The conference features scientific and experiential presentations, posters, and discussion, including a grazing research priorities brainstorming session. For 2024, this conference will be held virtually on January 25-27th. For additional details and registration information, click on the link below.

Northeast Pasture Consortium

Forages_Events_Logos_M2B

Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Conference

The Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Conference is held annually in Washington County, MD. The conference features a variety of presentations on topics related to livestock, forages, and grazing management. For 2023, this conference will be held on December 14th. For additional details and registration information, click on the link below.

Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Conference