Business : Greenhorn Grazing Program continues with Dyersville event July 21

VINTON, Iowa – Participants in the Greenhorn Grazing program last month learned about identifying plant species, watering systems and managed grazing techniques at the John Schupbach farm near Elgin, Iowa. The next session, offer by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will be Tuesday, July 21, at Country Junction Restaurant in Dyersville, Iowa.

“Greenhorn Grazing is designed for farmers interested in producing more forage and more beef through a management-intensive grazing system,” said Denise Schwab, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Don’t worry if you missed the first session, we’ll get you caught up on what was covered and you’ll still get a lot out of the remaining series.”

The Greenhorn Grazing short course consists of five sessions taught over the grazing season. The June session at Elgin featured topics on soil conditions, fertility and plant productivity, pasture condition scoring and funding opportunities, and forage planning and species identification. The pasture component at Schupbach’s farm featured seeding establishment, rotational paddocks, above ground waterline system, wildlife protection systems and custom grazing.

The second session, on July 21, starts at the Country Junction Restaurant in Dyersville and participants will travel to Eric Gaul’s pasture near Farley. Speakers and topics featured are:

* Paddock design and layout and dairy grazing with Larry Tranel, dairy specialist at ISU Extension and Outreach.

* Controlled grazing systems and techniques with Denise Schwab, beef specialist at ISU Extension and Outreach.

* Pasture and lane systems and above-groundwater lines to tanks in the paddocks with Eric Gaul.

* Fencing systems for rotational pastures with Brad Cochran, Gallagher Fence.

“The Greenhorn Grazing program is designed to help livestock producers evaluate their own pasture management and implement steps to increase their grazing efficiency,” said Schwab. “This training features experienced graziers sharing their knowledge and learning from each other; it’s the best combination of academics with real-world experience.”

Greenhorn Grazing will be held in the Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque county areas, and is designed for any producer in northeast Iowa. Each workshop will include a classroom discussion with experienced instructors and a hands-on field experience.

The workshops will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and will last through midafternoon. Future sessions are scheduled for Aug. 24, Sept. 9 and Nov.r 10.

The August session will feature Dan Morrical, animal science professor at Iowa State University, on animal grazing behavior, forage requirements and supplementing on pasture. Greg Brenneman, agricultural and biosystems engineering specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will share information on watering systems and Cameron Schulte, Elkport, will discuss how to build a spring watering system.

September will feature fall and winter forage management practices such as fall interseeding with Jim Welter, hay field grazing, and planning for winter feeding, as well as weed management with Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Dan, Tom and Mark Welter, Hopkinton, will be the hosts of that session.

The final program in November will be held at the Jack Smith farm near Epworth and will feature cover crop grazing and companionship of cattle to row crops.

Cost of the short course is being largely offset by support from the Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque county Extension districts, Theisen’s Home Farm Auto, Arrow Cattlequip, Innovative Ag Services and Welter Seed & Honey. The course fee is $65 for the remaining sessions in the series. Registration fees include a resource notebook and lunch.

For more information on specific locations or details contact Denise Schwab at 319-721-9624 or dschwab@iastate.edu. To register, contact the Delaware County ISU Extension Office, at 563-927-4201.