2002 Pasture Walk Series
Russ Bredahl, beef forage field specialist
Situation
In spite of the fact that well-managed pastures produce more feed for grazing
livestock and offer more cover to prevent soil erosion, few southwest Iowa farmers
are using the agronomic, animal science, and engineering resources that are
available to enhance the profitability of pasture land.
Response
County extension education directors in the southwest Iowa extension area identified
pasture management as a high-priority educational need. They identified 32 well-respected
farmers that had implemented innovative pasture management practices and were
enthusiastic and fluent when describing these practices. Based on farm visits
and location within the extension area, the list of 32 was narrowed to five
that were chosen to host pasture walks. The pasture walks were scheduled throughout
the 2002 growing season.
Impact
Participants heard about and saw the following pasture management practices
that had been implemented in real-life situations:
- Pasture subdivision with electric fencing to facilitate more efficient grazing
- Paddocks laid out along contour lines to reduce soil erosion and soil type
variability
- Pasture fertilization with commercial fertilizer, or poultry or animal manure
or compost
- Electric fence building techniques and trouble-shooting, energizer selection
and grounding
- Livestock watering facilities
- Pumping systems using electrical, solar, wind and animal power
- Siphon systems
- Water tanks made of used large implement tires
- Use of geotextile fabric to provide access to ponds & streams and to
prevent mud holes around tanks
- Freeze-proof watering equipment
- Grazing standing corn to extend the grazing season
- Use of stockpiled forage to provide fall and winter grazing for developing
replacement heifers
- Examples of EQIP and other cost share
A total of 179 people participated in one or more of the pasture walks.
Page last updated:
July 9, 2006
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, lschultz@iastate.edu
