Wisconsin Schools of Grazing

Two-day hands on intensives providing farmers with practical knowledge and physical skills in managed grazing

Personalized and Hands-On Training

The Wisconsin Schools of Grazing offer unique, hands-on educational experiences designed to empower graziers with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage pasture-based livestock systems. Our programs combine classroom learning with practical fieldwork, ensuring participants leave with actionable insights tailored to their specific farming operations.

Upcoming Schools

Seymour Grazing School – NEW in 2025!

Wednesday August 13th – Thursday August 14th

N6010 County Rd C

Seymour, WI

Lancaster Grazing School

Monday September 22nd – Tuesday September 23rd

7396 WI-35 & 81, Lancaster, WI 53813

Taught by the experts

Expert graziers and teachers will teach you the wide range of core concepts you need to be a successful grazier. From the principles of managed grazing to the economics of grazing, we are here to answer all your questions.

In-Field Learning

Teachers will take you step-by-step through core skills such as estimating pasture yield, calculating paddock size, setting up the fence, and making a daily move with livestock.

Jumpstart Your Grazing

Tentative Agenda

Day 1

9:00 AM	Registration and refreshments
9:30 AM	Introductions
10:00 AM	Principles of managed grazing – Classroom Session – Laura
10:45 AM	Break and transition outside to pasture
11:00 AM	Measuring pasture yield – Field Session – Adam You will need your grazing stick, grazing stick fact sheet, and pasture forage availability worksheet
12:00 PM	Lunch
12:45 PM	Managing grazing to meet livestock nutritional needs – Classroom Session – Bill Halfman (M and S) also Dan Schaefer at Lancaster
1:30 PM	Graziers math: determining livestock carrying capacity – Classroom Session – Laura and Jason You will need the Graziers Math fact sheet
2:15 PM	Break
2:30 PM	Calculating paddock size for a group of livestock for 12 hours – Classroom Exercise – Laura and Jason You will need the Carrying Capacity and Paddock Size worksheets
3:15 PM	Animal Handling Basics – Classroom Session – Beth
3:30 PM	Break and transition to pasture
3:45 PM	Setting up a paddock: electric fencing basics, temporary fencing equipment AND set up the fence for a 12 hour move using your calculation – Field Demonstration – All
4:15 PM	Managing pasture for grassland birds – Ashly Steinke from Audubon

4:30 PM	Low-stress livestock handling, moving the herd to a new paddock, and observing grazing behavior and health indicators – Field Demonstration – Station Managers and all instructors
5:00 PM	Animal health and grazing genetics discussion- Classroom Session – Station managers You will need your Body Condition Score for Beef and Dairy sheets
5:30 PM	Transition to Dinner
6:00 PM	Dinner
	Dinner Conversation: Tips and Tricks: share your best ideas and worst mistakes with the group! – Adam, Jason, & Laura will go first!
8:00 PM	Wrap up

Day 2

7:45 AM	Refreshments
8:30 AM	Soil type, soil fertility and pasture productivity – Classroom Session – Jason Bring your own soil test information if you have it!
9:30 AM	Break and transition to pasture Make sure to take your grazing sticks and your pasture forage availability worksheet with you!
9:45 AM	Permanent grazing infrastructure: fencing, watering, lanes – Field Demonstration – Adam
10:30 AM	Checking up on your paddock and grazing animals – Field Session –All
11:15 AM	Introduction to pasture plant community – Field Session – All
12:00 PM	Transition back to classroom for lunch
12:15 AM	Lunch
12:45 PM	Economics of pasture systems – Classroom Session – Jason
1:30 PM	Establishing new pastures and renovating existing pastures – Classroom Session – Jason and Laura You will need the Pasture Renovation Worksheet
2:15 PM	Break – we’re in the final stretch! Get out and stretch your legs!
2:30 PM	Setting up Your Own Grazing System – Classroom Session – Laura You will need the 15 Tips Fencing Systems fact sheet
3:00 PM	Starting to set up your farm: get individualized assistance in planning your system – Classroom Exercise – All If you have your own grazing plan, soil samples, forage tests, etc. now is the time to pull them out!
4:00 PM	What did you learn? Large group discussion and fill out reviews
4:30 PM	Adjourn