During the fall of 2017, the Campbell County Agriculture Council identified the need for an in-depth program on pasture management. During a second meeting of the Ag Council, specific program topics were identified. These pasture management topics became the foundation for the spring 2018 Master Grazer (MG) Program. The ANR agent worked with UK Forage specialists to develop the PowerPoints for this four session program.  The MG program was taught by the Campbell County ANR agent and included 14 presentations on pasture management topics such as: Benefits of Improved Grazing, Managing Soil Fertility for Forages, Establishing and Renovation Pastures, Importance of Water, Shade and Fencing and Developing a Grazing Plan for Your Farm. Fifty-two individuals attended the MG program and based on a program survey 98% of those participants rated the program as excellent in meeting their needs.

To help support this program, the ANR agent compiled a three ring binder that included: PowerPoints for each session, 24 UK pasture management publications/fact sheets and a forage pocket guide. The ANR agent, also worked with the Campbell County PVA office and the Northern KY Farm Service Agency offices to print out and laminate poster size farm maps for each participant. Participants were also given a UK grazing stick to help them manage their grazing pastures. Based on the program survey, the participants said they had or would implement the following pasture management practices within the next two years.  91 % - soil test their pastures, 74 % - lime and fertilize based on soil test results, 84% -  improve livestock watering system and 70% - renovate pastures with legumes and 70% - implement an improved grazing plan.

To help support the development of improved grazing practices (such as rotational grazing), a Master Grazer Field Day is planned for July 10, 2018, at Dobbs Shady Meadows Farm. In preparing for this field day, the ANR agent worked with Dr. Jimmy Henning and the UK Pasture Evaluation team, to test the Dobbs pastures for endophyte tall fescue and the percent ergovaline (toxins) in the fescue plants. These results will be shared during the field day. A tour of the Eden Shale demonstration farm is also planned for July 11, 2018, and a Fencing School is planned for November of 2018. These programs will reinforce the management practices needed for improved grazing.