Iowa Beef Center To Host Three Fencing And Grazing Clinics

By Beth Reynolds

Continued land competition, higher feed costs, and drought stressed forages are signaling Iowa cattlemen that it’s time to improve and fine-tune their grazing programs. Iowa Beef Center’s Fencing and Grazing Clinic has expanded to three Iowa locations this year to help meet that need with information and hands-on experience. Event partners are Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms.

Beth Reynolds, IBC extension program specialist, and Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, Iowa State University extension beef specialist are planning the daylong events, two of which will be held at ISU research farms. All run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include the noon meal.

Lundy-Woolfolk said attendees will learn tips and tricks for enhancing their grazing programs.

“In the morning, our hands-on learning includes a permanent and temporary fencing demonstration led by Gallagher, and a group activity on designing paddocks within your pasture, led by NRCS,” she said. “We’ve also planned classroom sessions on grazing leases and contracts, water quality and building a grazing calendar.”

Topics and confirmed speakers are:

• New Tools in Fencing – Brad Cochran, Gallagher 
• Building your Paddocks – Jeff Matthias, Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Grazing Leases & Contracts – Kitt Tovar Jensen, ISU Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation
• Planning a Grazing Calendar – Beth Reynolds & Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, Iowa Beef Center 
• Water Quality: Testing, Interpreting, and Impact on Performance
• Optional ISU farm tour

There is no cost to attend thanks to sponsors: Gallagher, Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, Theisen’s, Millborn Seeds, Iowa State Beef Checkoff Program, Practical Farmers of Iowa and Dairyland Laboratories, Inc.