Four conservation and farming groups are sponsoring the annual Northwest Pennsylvania Grazing Conference on Feb. 24 in DuBois.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Penn State Cooperative Extension Service, Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council, and the Jefferson County Conservation District will hold the conference at the Quality Inn off Exit 101 of Interstate 80. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the conference starts at 9:30 a.m.

The Grazing Conference is an annual educational event designed to provide grazers in Northwestern and Central Pennsylvania with information to help increase production and profits in their beef, dairy, sheep and other grazing operations.

This year's conference will feature Dan Undersander, a forage agronomist from the University of Wisconsin who will be talking about new developments in grazing. The conference will also cover topics such as "Fencing Do's and Don'ts," "Using CREP to Help with Pasture Best Management Practices," and "Maintaining Pasture Fertility." This year's farmer panel will consist of David Aurandt, a dairy producer from Mercer County; Dan Shelter, a beef producer from McKean County; and John Hagberg, a buffalo producer from Warren County.

The Northwest Pennsylvania Grazing Conference was started nine years ago as a means to bring the latest in grazing technology to livestock producers in Northwest and Central Pennsylvania and to provide producers with an opportunity to share and exchange ideas. Vendors and exhibitors also participate and provide information on the latest in product development.

Registration for this year's conference is $20 and includes a hot buffet lunch and milk donated by Dean's Dairy. Conference sponsors include Dean's Dairy, S&T Bank, and the state Grazing/Forage Lands Conservation Coalition. Brochures and conference information can be obtained by calling Headwaters RC&D at 814-375-1372, Ext. 4; Gary Swope from Natural Resources Conservation Service at 814-375-2125, Ext. 114; the Penn State Cooperative Extension or the County Conservation District. Deadline is Feb. 15.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.