Jul 25, 2017 - grazing planning, soil testing and reading results, direct marketing, the 10 year slump, and so much more
Marathon County
Eastern Lakes Times Network News Conservation, Planning, & Zoning Department
Upcoming Pasture Walks /Events PASTURE WALK sponsored by UW -Extension—Wood County Thursday, September 28th, 2017 - 1:00 p.m. Grass Ridge Farm, 5882 County Rd E, Pittsville, WI 54466 Grass Ridge Farm (Carl, Paul and Matt Lippert) is a family-owned dairy farm with a milking herd of 580 head primarily consisting of Holsteins and about 10% Jersey, managed in a confinement freestall-parlor system. The herd is managed for high production with a tank average of 90-95 pounds of milk per cow per day. Managed grazing is utilized for dry cows, close-up cows, and some of the replacement herd. There are about 100 acres in pasture. The Lipperts have found that the exercise the dry cows receive is beneficial for their overall herd management. When conditions are right, calving cows on grass is also preferred due to the sanitation it provides for the calving environment and the sound footing it provides for the cow. Land near the farm’s buildings is utilized for grazing, as is the ground that is too poorly-drained to consistently grow row crops successfully. Dry cows have some access to sand-bedded freestalls and are supplemented with mineral and corn silage. Transition cows have access to a bedded pack. The Lipperts have about .25 mile of NRCS-EQIP funded field access road that is utilized as a cattle lane. The lane includes three concrete waterway crossings. Grazing has been utilized in this area for twenty years. Another NRCS-EQIP project on this farm is a manure storage constructed in 2016. In 2000, there was a manure storage constructed for the Upper Yellow River Watershed project. The event is free and pre-registration is not required. Discussion will be open-ended, but plans to cover grazing of dairy heifers and dry cows, grazing poorly-drained soils, and improved cattle lanes. For more information contact Matt Lippert, Agriculture Agent, UW-Extension Wood County at 715-421-8440 or
[email protected].
Thursday, October 5th, 2017 - 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Jason & Jocelyn Cavadini Farm, M431 Drake Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449 Grazing Cover Crops The Cavadini Family is in the second year of their start-up cow/calf operation. They purchased their farm in 2014 and began transitioning the cropland to pasture in fall of 2015. In the fall of 2016, they planted 14 acres of cover crops as a case study to explore the feasibility of fall and winter grazing. Jason closely monitored economics, forage quality, soil quality, and animal performance as they relate to the crop through the season. The Cavadini’s will build on their experience of 2016 by planting cover crops in the same out-wintering area for fall of 2017. They will discuss what they learned in the first year of grazing cover crops and what adjustments were made for the second year.
Network News Marathon County CPZ 210 River Drive Wausau, WI 54403-5449 715-261-6000
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Do you have suggestions for articles or photos to share? Or would you like to receive an electronic copy of this newsletter? Please contact: Bill Kolodziej (715) 261-6038
[email protected]
Saturday, September 30th, 2017 - 10:00 a.m. to noon (Please note date change) Daigle’s Twin Creeks Cattle Company, 2366 W. Gouda Road, Tomahawk 54487 Fall Grazing of Stockpiled Forages and Winter Bale Grazing Preparation Join Tom and Linda Daigle along with their son Ben and his wife Tiffany to learn from this growing 100% grassfed beef operation. The beef operation was started in the late fall of 2011 with the fencing of 43 acres of cropland. To get this herd started 31 young heifers and 6 cows were purchased, along with a Red Angus breeding bull. They have now grown to 65 cow/calf pairs, along with the yearling heifers and steers on 181 acres of intensively managed pastures. The farm relies on frequent soil testing and fertilization of fields, inter-seeding red clover and orchard grass into old hayfields, reliable above-ground summer watering system, buried winter watering system and electrified high tensile fencing system. Discussion topics will include the following Lessons learned setting up a new beef operation Developing and implementing a managed grazing plan Seeding choices for sandy loam soils Selecting beef genetics to build a quality herd Challenges of finishing steers on 100% pasture in 18 months The importance of fertility in growing forage Building proper handling facilities Selecting and renovating winter bale-grazing sites Directions: From Tomahawk take Highway D east for 8 miles to Gouda Road, go south (right) on Gouda Road for one mile. House is on the left. Watch for the signs.
