Pasture and Grazing Management in the Northwest: A New Guidebook.

A multi-state program of research, education, and extension for pasture-based livestock production systems was identified as a priority in 2003 at a Pacific Northwest Forage Workers Conference.  A grant proposal for professional development to the Western Sustainable Agricultural Research and Extension (WSARE EW05-012) was awarded in 2005.  The project was designed with three phases: 1) professional development education and training; 2) research to determine the relationship of sward height and herbage mass for forage in rotational pasture systems in the Northwest; and 3) publish a comprehensive management guide.  Pasture and Grazing Management in the Northwest is a Pacific Northwest Extension Publication PNW 614. There are 17 chapters and a glossary by 36 authors from Cooperative Extension, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, a livestock producer, and a private consultant. Authors are located in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and West Virginia. The 208 page document edited by Glenn Shewmaker and Mylen Bohle is published by the University of Idaho Extension. This is the first comprehensive management guide for pastures and grazing in the Northwest.