Livestock nutrition workshops planned in Fairbanks, Delta Junction
Hay, such as these bales harvested in Interior Alaska, is part of a balanced nutrition program for Alaska ruminants.
Julie Stricker
907-474-5406
July 17, 2024
Raising livestock in Alaska can be challenging, with animals’ dietary requirements changing with the seasons and the production cycle.
Rachael Christensen, a research animal scientist with the Northern Great Plains Â鶹¹ÙÍø Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Â鶹¹ÙÍø Service, will lead two free livestock nutrition workshops. The focus will be on ruminant species, such as cows, goats, sheep and yaks.
The workshops, sponsored by the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, will introduce how to formulate a nutrient-rich diet that will meet the requirements for maintenance and production in Alaska herds.
Christensen will give a one-hour overview of the topic at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, in the Georgeson Botanical Garden Rotary Pavilion, 2180 W. Tanana Drive, Fairbanks. Fairbanks Â鶹¹ÙÍø Field Day events begin at 2 p.m. in the same location.
A second, more comprehensive workshop for homestead, backyard and commercial producers will be held in Delta Junction on Wednesday, July 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Delta Career Advancement Center, 1696 N. Clearwater Ave.
Christensen will discuss livestock forage nutrition and the importance of raising or purchasing high-quality forage to reduce feed costs. An overview of a farm-level livestock nutrition program will include training on determining feed quality, taking samples of forage and balancing rations with available feedstuffs. Lunch will be provided.
The Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District and Delta Junction Partners for Progress are co-sponsoring the Delta workshop. Space is limited and preregistration is required at .
For more information, contact Eve Karczmarczyk at delta.ces@alaska.edu or 907-895-4215. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Karczmarczyk. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to Alda Norris, amnorris2@alaska.edu.
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