Cattle and kilowatts webinar: Real-world solar grazing in practice

Cattle and kilowatts webinar: Real-world solar grazing in practice

Pre- registration is required to access the zoom link. Free to attend. Date: April 14th, 2026, 5pm CT Register: z.umn.edu/cattlekilowatts

As solar energy expands across the landscape, a new frontier in Agrivoltaics known as “cattlevoltaics” is emerging. While sheep have long been the standard for solar site maintenance, innovative producers are proving that cattle can thrive under panels too.

Join the University of Minnesota Extension for an in-depth webinar featuring pioneers of cattle solar grazing. This session moves beyond theory and into the pasture, focusing on the practical management, infrastructure, and animal welfare considerations of running cattle on solar sites.

Guest speakers represent the leading edge of agrivoltaics in the U.S. They will share their “boots-on-the-ground” experiences, including:

· Infrastructure & Design: How to adapt solar arrays to withstand 1,200-lb animals and allow for proper animal handling.

· Animal Health: Managing shade, health observations, and water access within an energy facility.

· Economic Opportunities: Understanding the “double-crop” potential of energy and beef.

· Forage and soil management: How to effectively construct and manage solar sites for optimal forage production and soil health.

Featured Speakers

Will Harris & Dale Caldwell (White Oak Pastures): Leaders in regenerative agriculture who have integrated solar grazing into their world-renowned multi-species operation in Bluffton, Georgia.

Josh Bennett (HUWA Enterprises): An agrimation expert at the forefront of “cattle-ready” solar design, helping ranchers across the country prove that large-scale cattle grazing and utility solar are not only compatible but synergistic.

This webinar is designed for cattle producers, solar developers, landowners, and agricultural professionals interested in the future of dual-use land management. Whether you’re a rancher looking to diversify income or a developer aiming to reduce vegetation management costs, this session will provide the insights you need.

Pre- registration is required to access the zoom link. Free to attend. Date: April 14th, 2026, 5pm CT Register: z.umn.edu/cattlekilowatts

View past agrivoltaics webinars: z.umn.edu/avwebinarsplaylist For more news from U of M Extension, visit www.extension.umn.edu/news or contact Extension Communications at extnews@umn.edu. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.