WAUKON, Iowa -Producers seeking hands-on grazing management information in an informal atmosphere can attend one or more of the 2012 pasture-walk grazing field events. These events are mostly farmer-to-farm discussion on their management experiences in rotational grazing.
The Northeast Iowa Graziers plan monthly walks to help producers learn how better pasture management can result in both healthier profits and a healthier environment. The walks are organized by area graziers and supported by Extension and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
• July 25, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Robin Marquette, 20504 J Ave., West Union. Phone (319) 422-5140. From West Union take Highway 56 southeast 2 miles to J Ave. Then south on J Ave. 0.2 miles to the farm at 20504 J Ave.
Marquette will talk about rotational grazing with dairy and beef, waterlines using solar pump and pipeline, converting crop to pasture, and potential to convert to grass fed beef.
• Aug. 1, 6 p.m., Garth Griffin, 1899 Mission Ave, New Hampton. Phone (641) 257-9097. As you travel to New Hampton on Highway 63, the Junction of Highway 63 and Mission Ave. is about 1 mile north of New Hampton. From Highway 63 turn onto Mission Ave. and travel about 0.7 miles to the farm, 1899 Mission Ave.
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Griffin will talk about rotational grazing of multiple groups of beef cows, mostly 3 to 5 acre paddocks of alfalfa and meadow fescue. Water lines above ground, lanes to buildings, creeks and river.
•Aug. 4, 1 to 4 p.m. Jeremy and Jody Peake, 323 N Line Drive, Waukon (563-568-4120) From Decorah go 12 miles east on Highway 9, or from Postville go 11 miles N on Highway 51 to the junction of Highway 9 and Highway 51, turn N on Apple Road, go 1 mile N to Line Drive. Turn east onto Line Drive.
Practical Farmers of Iowa is sponsoring this pasture walk. The Peakes have a grass-based organic dairy and they are seeking to improve profitability through reduced reliance on purchased inputs such as hay and grain.
• Aug. 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Andy Schaefers, 25037 Lake Rd., Garnavillo. Phone (563) 964-2758. From Highway 52 in downtown Garnavillo, turn east on Clayton Road (County Highway C17) for 3 miles, then right onto 232nd St. for 1 mile, then right onto Lake Road 2.3 miles to the farm.
Schaefers will focus on lane development and fencing for his 70-cow dairy. A fencing company representative may have a demonstration.
• Aug. 29, 6 p.m., Scott Cherne, 33166 Kiln Rd., Guttenberg. Call (563) 880-9600. From Osterdock in southeast Clayton County, which is about 7 miles southwest of Guttenberg, go west out of Osterdock on Kiln Road about 2 miles to the farm at 33166 Kiln Road.
Cherne will talk about intensive rotational grazing of beef cows, frost seeding legumes, first cut hay then graze, 1.5 miles of buried water line, water tanks from former anhydrous tanks.
• Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m., Joel Winnes, 835 McCabe Drive, Waukon. Phone (608) 822-6966. From the junction of Highways 9 and 76 south of Waukon, go east 1.2 miles on Highway 76 to County Rd X16 (Forest Mills Road), then south 0.8 miles to McCabe Rd., then west 0.1 mile to the farm.
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Great River Graziers will co-sponsor this pasture walk. The walk will explore this beginning farmers partnership model. In addition, ways to get through the summer slump and the pro's and con's of corn silage.
• Dec. 4 - 1 p.m., Vance and Bonnie Haugen, 12620 Deer Rd., Canton, Minn. Phone (507) 743-8326. From Decorah, take Highway 52 north about 15 miles to the T-intersection of Highway 52 and Highway 44. Deer Rd. is straight ahead. Go north on Deer Rd. to 12620 Deer Rd.
Great River Graziers are cosponsoring this event. The Haugens will share their out wintering strategies on a semi-seasonal grass dairy with a minimum of buildings.
