MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa -- Southeast Iowa producers who want to conserve natural resources while being able to optimize their forage and livestock production are invited to attend the 2017 Greenhorn Grazing series in Mount Pleasant this summer. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Patrick Wall said the series has been a popular management course with more than 250 producers attending over the past seven years.
"This five-part series covers concepts relevant to all producers of grass-based livestock with topics ranging from the importance of managing forage, weed and brush control, water and fencing systems, forage species selection, legal fencing and lease issues to winter feeding plans," Wall said. "The five sessions are set in late May through August, and all will have classroom and field segments."
Wall and other experts from Iowa State and private industry will lead the discussions. Local producers or even participants in the classes will host the pasture walk portions of the course, explaining their operation goals, challenges and management practices.
"This series was developed to deliver timely materials and hands-on workshops for producers interested in improving their forage management system," Wall said. “Producers will learn how to improve the productivity of their land while protecting it for the next generation.”
Individual workshops are scheduled for May 23, June 6, June 14, June 20, and Aug. 22. The first meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach Henry County office at 127 N. Main St. in Mount Pleasant, and conclude at a farm location in the evening.
Support from Dow AgroSciences, the Iowa Forage & Grassland Council, and the Iowa Beef Center helps keep the series cost low at $60. Participants are urged to attend all sessions, but fees for individual sessions are available upon request. The fee includes a meal and educational materials for each session.
Producers are asked to register by May 19 by calling the ISU Extension and Outreach Henry County office at 319-385-8126 or Wall at 515-450-7665, or by emailing Wall at patwall@iastate.edu.