CHARITON, Iowa -- A pasture management field day is planned for Thursday, Aug. 25, at the Kevin Luedtke farm southeast of Chariton. A BBQ meal will be prepared by the Lucas County Cattlemen at 6 p.m. with the program and demonstrations beginning at 6:45 p.m.
“The program will include a wide variety of items that cattlemen and cow-calf producers can use in their operation,” says Carl Neifert, Rathbun Lake Forage Project technical assistant.
The program will include topics on:
• Using Geo fabric and Geo-web for stream crossing and high livestock traffic areas
• Diversion terraces as a simple and effective feedlot run-off control method
• How to live with tall fescue pasture - early and often grazing, frost seeding red clover and stock piling for winter feed.
• Designing pasture paddocks using new and existing water sources and fences.
“The field day and demonstrations are examples of the many projects of the Rathbun Lake Forage Project. Working with cooperators like Kevin, we hope to show that producers can use and manage forages as a competitive alternative to row crop production.” said Joe Sellers, ISU Extension livestock field specialist.
The Rathbun Lake Special Project and the Rathbun Lake Forage Project is a partnership of several agencies and organizations including; participating landowners in the Rathbun Lake Watershed; Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Division of Soil Conservation; Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Iowa State University; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Counties; Iowa Farm Bureau; and Rathbun Regional Water Association.
To reach the Kevin Luedtke farm from Chariton, go 2 miles east on Hwy 34 to 260th. Then go south on 260th for 2 miles to the stop sign. Turn east onto 455th and drive 1.5 miles to 270th. Turn south onto 270th and go one-quarter mile over the railroad tracks.
For more information about the Field day, contact Joe Sellers, Lucas County Extension at (641) 774-2016 or Aaron Pickens, NRCS office at (641) 774-2512
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