News : Extension pasture walk to focus on flexibility

Pasture improvement and rotational grazing are key topics for many beef and dairy producers, but one of the big challenges is balancing pasture subdivision, fencing, and watering systems for multiple pastures and cow herds. These topics will be discussed at a pasture walk at the farm of Garth Griffin on Wednesday, August 1, at 6:00 pm. This pasture walk is co-sponsored by ISU Extension & Outreach, the Iowa Beef Center, Southern Iowa Forage & Livestock Committee, and the Northeast Iowa Grazers.

Griffin described his pasture management as ‘a little of everything’ focusing on flexibility for multiple cow groups, a variety of pastures and settings, but trying to optimize each individual situation. Griffin’s cow herd is primarily purebred Red Angus focused on producing seedstock, but also includes a few commercial cows used as embryo recipients. One group of cows is strictly AI bred requiring close monitoring at breeding so they rotate through pastures but water at a building site to facilitate heat detection and insemination. Other cow groups water from streams but also rotate through paddocks. Griffin also mows and bales much of the pastures as hay first, then rotates into the grazing process.

Griffin says he has the same challenges as other producers, in particular reducing heat stress, supplementing on pasture if the drought continues, and creep feeding calves to reduce cow stress and facilitate early weaning. The Griffin pasture is located at 1899 Mission Ave, just north of New Hampton, IA. From the south on Hwy 63, the Jct. of Hwy 63 & Mission Ave. is about 1 mile north of New Hampton, then turn right (east) onto Mission Ave. and travel about 0.7 mile to the farm. If coming from the north, Mission Ave is at Hwy 63 mile marker 206, then left (east).

Pasture walks are informal educational programs designed to demonstrate one or two key areas of pasture management, as well as answer any questions you might have. Each has a slightly different focus and producers are invited to attend any that are of interest to improving their own pasture management.

All producers who are dependent on forage production are invited to attend. If you have questions, or need detailed directions to the farm location, contact Denise Schwab in the Benton County Extension office at 319-472-4739.