Business : ISU Extension Short Course will Increase Grazing Knowledge and Skills

Livestock producers with an interest in strengthening or transitioning grazing practices can sharpen their skills by attending Grassroots Grazing workshops offered by Iowa State University Extension and regional Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Grassroots Grazing short course consists of five different modules taught over the grazing season. "Grassroots Grazing is designed for graziers interested in a more controlled or management-intensive grazing system,"� said Denise Schwab, ISU Extension livestock specialist. "Producers who want to optimize forage and livestock production, increase forage utilization and conserve natural resources will find the modules very informative."� The course will cover concepts relevant to all producers of grass-based livestock, whether it is beef, dairy, sheep or other animals, according to Schwab. Grassroots Grazing will be held in the Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque and Fayette county areas, but is designed for any producers in northeast Iowa. Each workshop will have a classroom component with experienced instructors and a hands-on field component. The workshops will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. and will conclude by 9:00 p.m. The sessions are scheduled for June 14, June 28, August 29, September 13 and November 15. The June 14 session will feature Brian Lang, ISU Extension Agronomist, on the basics of soil and fertility, Pat Schaefers, Clayton County NRCS, on converting CRP to grazing land, Michelle German, NRCS soil conservationist, on pasture evaluation, and the importance of managing forage by Schwab. The pasture component will be at the Jack Smith pasture near Littleport, featuring converting a CRP field into rotationally grazing paddocks, paddock design, and water development. The July session will feature weed and brush control with Scott Flynn from Dow AgroSciences at the Gene Tinker pasture, as well as planning for cover crop grazing. The August session will feature Dan Morrical, ISU Sheep Specialist, on animal grazing behavior, forage requirements and supplementing on pasture, Gordon Shelangoski from Premier Fencing on fencing systems, and the Scott Cherne newly developed rotational pasture. September will feature water system development with Greg Brenneman, ISU Extension engineer, grazing agreements with Joe Sellers, ISU Extension beef specialist, and soil health with Tina Cibula, NRCS resource conservationist, on the Cam Schulte pasture near Garber. The final program will be held at the Mark Glawe farm near Garber and will feature cover crop grazing and companionship of cattle to row crops. "The Grassroots 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 along with ISU and NRCS specialists; it's the best combination of academics with real-world experience."� Sponsor of the short course include the Leopold Center for Sustainable Ag, Dow AgroSciences, and Arrowquip. The course fee is $50 for all five sessions in the series. Individual sessions will be $20. Registration fees include a resource notebook and a light dinner, and help offset speaker travel. For more information on specific locations or details contact Denise Schwab at (319) 721- 9624 or dschwab@iastate.edu. To register, contact the Benton County Extension Office, at 319-472-4739 Click to View Flyer