Kentucky Fencing Schools

Chris Teutsch, Morgan Hayes, and Joshua Jackson, University of Kentucky

 Implementing improved grazing management requires high quality fencing.  Working with the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council and private industry representatives, we designed and implemented the Kentucky Fencing School.  In 2019 and 2020, four hands on schools with more than 80 total participants were held across Kentucky.  These programs focused on the proper installation of modern fencing technologies including fixed knot woven wire and electrified smooth high tensile fencing and are a unique mixture of classroom style and hands-on learning tailored for livestock producers.  In a post meeting survey, 100% of the participants agreed that topic presented were useful or very useful.  Survey comments included “very useful for new farmers”, “very helpful”, “speakers were very specific and on topic”, “well organized and easy to follow along”, and “fantastic value for the cost of the school”.  Presentations from these schools were recorded and posted on the KYForages YouTube Channel where they have received more than 2,000 views.