O'Brien and Monona County Pasture Walks to Focus on Forage Recovery

By Beth Doran

After three years of drought, Iowa pastures are in need of some first aid, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Two pasture walks in northwest/west central Iowa in June will help attendees learn how to work with current pasture conditions in their operations.

ISU Extension and Outreach will co-host the educational hands-on pasture walks in O’Brien County on June 22 and Monona county on June 26. Both walks will begin at 5:30 p.m. with supper, followed by the program from 6-8:45 p.m.

“Livestock producers can’t change the weather, but we can enhance forage recovery, control weeds and improve soil fertility,” Doran said. “So put on your walking shoes, come with your own questions and attend a pasture walk with us.” 

During both of these workshops, attendees will condition-score a paddock, participate in hands-on identification of desirable plants and weeds, learn to evaluate soil cover and how to monitor severity of grazing.

Two topics (pasture supplementation and common forage insects) will vary by site. There is no cost to attend either pasture walk, but preregistration is required.

To preregister for the June 22 event near Paullina, call 712-957-5045 by June 16. See the O'Brien County flyer for information and directions.

To preregister for the June 26 event at Iowa State’s Western Research and Demonstration Farm, call 712-423-2175 by June 19.  See the Monona County flyer for information.