Allan Savory Field Day

 We attended the Allan Savory Field Day sponsored by SDSU and the SDGLC out in Hayti, SD last week.  The weather was cool but the students were tough and learned about grazing systems from the different presentations and tours.

 The operation we toured featured cover crops and we gained more knowledge of this type of grazing system.

 The transportation was first-class and the blankets came in handy!

The students are (mostly) paying attention to Allan's presentation.  There were excellent questions addressed during the day and many of us were challenged to a different mindset of grazing livestock. The day ended with the NRCS demonstrating their rainfall simulator.  If you have not seen this, I would encourage you to check out the Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9K9idBcJLY

Rotational Grazing Assignment

Rotational grazing is a hot topic in agricultural communities.  Read one of the articles linked below and write a 3 paragraph response including:
1.  Benefits of rotational grazing systems
2.  Challenges of rotational grazing systems
3.  If you owned your own ranch, what type of grazing system would you use and why?
Responses should be completed and saved in Word and either:
1.  Posted in the comment section of the blog
2.  Printed off and given to Mr. Boersma
3.  E-mailed to Andrew.Boersma@k12.sd.us
http://beefmagazine.com/pasture-range/grazing-programs/0701-producers-scientists-found-grazing
http://www.neglwatersheds.org/images/Common_Grazing_Management_in_South_Dakota.pdf
http://www.sdgrass.org/uploads/1/8/6/5/18654664/march_2013_newsletter.pdf

Range Judging at Woonsocket and Allan Savory Field Day

11 FFA students from SBA went to Woonsocket and took part in a Range Judging School on September 3rd.  The students did well and applied lessons learned in the classroom to identifying plants and evaluating pastures for beef cattle production and grouse habitat.  The Natural Resource Conservation Service puts on the schools and then there is a regional competition on October 1.

Next week Thursday (September 11) we have an opportunity to go an Allan Savory Field Day put on by SDSU.  Allan Savory is considered the "father" of holistic management and is an international expert on grazing systems.  This is an all day event and I have invited FFA students to come if they are interested.  Here is a link to the event  http://igrow.org/events/allan-savory-seminar-and-field-day/

State Fair

Last week we had the opportunity to go to the State Fair with 6 of our FFA students.  We worked at the South Dakota Pork Producer's booth as well as helped out at the FFA barn.  Two students worked with kids of all ages in the tractor simulator.  There were a couple of tractor wrecks with inexperienced drivers but mysteriously the tractor could be reset with no difficulty!  The other students helped with the puppies in the petting zoo and cleaning up the area.  Thanks to all the students for their hard work!

We had two students who showed livestock at the fair.  Samantha won her class of Red Angus Heifers and Tierney gained some great experience showing sheep.

Range Judging Practice

We are studying range ecosystems and getting prepared for a range judging school in Woonsocket this coming week.  The students in the bottom picture got wet but were great sports about it!  A special thanks to Brad Ufen and his family for helping us set up a practice site and allowing us to use their property.  Also thanks to Kent Baumberger from the NRCS for his help in teaching the students.

FFA Calendar for 2014-2015

For all the interested students and parents out there, here is a calendar of events for the coming school year:

August 21-FFA informational meeting at 8:15 pm, officer applications will be handed out
August 28-State Fair Trip after lunch: working at the Pork Producer's booth and Petting Zoo
September 3-Land and Range Judging School at Woonsocket
September 8-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
September 17-Range Judging School at Faulkton
October 1-Land and Range Competition in Wessington Springs
October 6-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
November 3-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
November 7-District Leadership CDE at Miller
December 2-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
December 7-8-State Leadership CDE at Pierre
January 6-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
January 14-State degree screening in Faulkton
*February 10-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm (may change because of small group contest)
February 21-28-National FFA Week
March 5-Spring CDE at Howard, FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
March 31-Spring CDE in Miller
April 7-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
April 12-14-State FFA Convention in Brookings, SD
April 21-FFA Fun Night
May 4-FFA Banquet

School's out for summer!

School may be out for the students, but Mr. Boersma has a full summer of school ahead of him!  Here are a couple of updates for the summer:

June 24-25 is Rangeland Days down in Chamberlain.  I will be going down there both days and am willing to take anyone who is interested in coming along.  There is great information and activities for junior high age students through adults of any experience level!  Cost is $30 and that includes food and a t-shirt!

August 28th we have a fundraising opportunity at the State Fair.  We will be leaving school around noon and working at the South Dakota Pork Council's booth in the afternoon.  I would like to plan some time for the students to be able to go around the fair as well to see some of the exhibits.  I don't know how this will work with sports practices, but I will check on that.

I hope you are enjoying a great summer with your families!