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Grazing News and Notes
Includes a schedule of upcoming Athens Area Grazing Council meetings/pasture walks, as well as information on current grazing and pasture management topics.
ATHENS AREA GRAZING COUNCIL MEETINGS: 2008
JULY
Ohio Sheep Day is scheduled on Saturday, July 12. Curt and Wendy Cline are hosting Ohio Sheep Day at 3933 Factory Road just outside of Albany. The emphasis will be on forages, pasture management and farm economics. Curt has planted a couple of fields (seeded in September of 2007) to improved pasture species featuring seed from both Ampac and Barenburg seed companies. In addition there will be 15 plus acres of sudangrass being used for summer grazing. Other forage species that participants will see include teff, a warm season annual grass, and chicory, a short-lived perennial legume species. Curt uses a management intensive philosophy to graze forages on his farm. Sheep Day registration begins at 8:30 am, with the program starting at 9:00 am. The cost is $5 for Ohio Sheep Improvement members and $10 for non-members. Registration includes lunch. The day concludes at 4:00 pm.
Click on the following link to download an informational flyer: Sheep Day Flyer
GRAZING FIELD DAY
A grazing field day organized by Gina Casto, an NRCS Grassland Grazing Specialist, and John and Mary Ellen Wozny of Spectrum Farm is scheduled for Saturday, July 26 from 10:00 am until 3:30 pm. The day will begin at Spectrum farm located at 24025 Brister Rd (TR 120) in Troy Township. John and Mary Ellen will lead a pasture walk and talk about the development of their rotational grazing system. Other speakers and topics that will be covered at the field day include:
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Beef Genetics by Dr. Fernando Silveira
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Heat Watch/Estrus Detection System by Larry Simmons
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Minerals by Scott Bauerbach of Green Valley Coop
There will be a lunch provided at no charge courtesy of Green Valley Coop. In order to plan for the lunch please RSVP no later than July 23 to 740-373-4857.
Participants are asked to bring along a lawn chair for the noon meal as well as for some of the presentations.
Directions to Spectrum Farm: From Coolville, take US 50 to the SR 7/US 50 split. Stay on SR 7 towards Pomeroy. This will narrow to a 2-lane road. Turn right on to Brister Rd, which will be the first road to the right. Go about 0.8 miles to the Spectrum Farm lane on the left, through the pine trees. Signs will be posted.
For more details contact 740-373-4857 or 740-452-8618.
August
OHIO GRAZING EXPO
The Ohio Grazing Expo will be held on Tuesday, August 19 and will feature noted grazing expert Jim Gerrish. Jim was formerly with the Forage Systems Research Center at the University of Missouri, has since retired and now does grazing consultant work from his base in Idaho. For those who read the “Stockman Grass Farmer”, Jim has a regular column dealing with grazing issues in that publication.
The Ohio Grazing Expo will be held at Shamrock Vale Farms, owned and operated by Earl and Dan McKarns, located near Kensington in Carroll County. Earl was an early adopter of managed rotational grazing and participants will benefit from seeing his operation. The current farm operation consists of 400 acres of grass and approximately 150 registered Angus seed stock cow-calf pairs managed in a total forage system. This is a full-time farm operation that supports two families.
In addition to Jim Gerrish and the McKarns farm tour, Beth Burritt, a livestock psychology specialist from Utah State University will be on the program. Beth will address the topic of how livestock learn and remember what to eat and what not to eat in a grazing system.
Topics that will be covered at the Ohio Grazing Expo include:
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Extending the Grazing Season
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Water System Development
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The Future of Grazing
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New Forage Species and Varieties
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Understanding Animal Behavior
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Fine Tuning Your Grazing System
The Grazing Expo at Shamrock Vale Farms near Kensington Ohio begins at 10:00 am and runs until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 19. Pre-registration is required by August 12. The cost for the day is $10/person, which includes lunch and handout materials. For more information and details about the Grazing Expo, contact the Carroll County Extension office at 330-223-4310.
Click on the following link to download a flyer that contains information, registration form and directions to Shamrock Vale Farms: Ohio Grazing Expo Flyer
OSU Extension Forage Team Blog Site
Check out the OSU Extension Forage Team Blog Site at: http://ohioforages.blogspot.com/
It contains information on current forage related topics and events.
AMAZING GRAZE NEWSLETTER July 2008
Publication of The Ohio State University
Clif Little and Mark Sulc, Editors
In this issue ...
A) DEAR FRIENDS
B) BALE COST
C) THE OHIO PASTURE MEASUREMENT PROJECT
D) BRASSICAS
E) PASTURE VS CONFINEMENT LAMB FINISHING
F) UPCOMING EVENTS
A) DEAR FIRENDS
Now is the time to prepare and make adjustments for winter grazing. From the list of upcoming dates, there will be a lot of opportunities to learn and see improved forage and grazing practices. We hope to see you at our educational events in the future.
Your friends,
Clif Little, Extension Educator, Ag/Natural Resources, Forage Team Co-Leader
Mark Sulc, OSU Forage Specialist, Forage Team Co-Leader
B) BALE COST - Clif Little, Extension Educator, Guernsey County
Recently, a local hay producer asked what hay worth was. Of course, each forage producer will have a different cost of production. After he told me his price, I asked the weight of his bales. He was not exactly sure but guessed 1000 pounds. He went on to say that most hay is bought and sold by the bale. He stated that, most articles he reads mentioning price or cost are on a per ton basis. This farmer’s comment provoked a couple of pertinent questions. First, what is the cost of not knowing the weight of a bale? Second, what is forage value based on current feed prices?
To answer the first question I went to the USDA Farm Service Agency. In the past couple of years, they have been weighing many large round bales due to the forage quantity and quality loss programs and conducting yield checks. The weight of large round bales checked in Noble and Guernsey counties ranged from approximately 750 pounds to 2100 pounds. Obviously, bales vary in size, moisture content, and tightness. If we guess the weight of a bale at 1000 pounds and overestimate its weight by 100 pounds per bale, and purchase 50 bales at $50 per bale what did it cost?
Example: 50 bales X 100 lbs. = 5000 pounds of hay we thought to be purchasing
$50/900lbs = .0555 or 5.5 cents per pound of hay
5000 lbs. X .0555 = $277.50 we lost by not knowing an accurate weight of the bales.
On the other hand, if we find legitimate 1000 lb. bales for sale of like quality and dry matter at the same price as the 900 lb. bales we could potentially pay ourselves $277.50. Whenever possible weigh a sampling of hay bales before purchasing, consider bale spoilage, and obtain a forage analysis. As we can see when comparing the best value in hay, weight is an important consideration. However, the most important factor influencing forage value is quality. Let us look at how quality affects value.
Using the University of Missouri-Columbia, FEEDVAL III: Comparative values calculated from Crude Protein, Net Energy Gain, Calcium, and Phosphorus, we can put a value on forages based on the quantities of the above-mentioned nutrients and local prices for corn, soybean meal, feed-grade limestone and dicalcium-phosphate. Current and local prices for energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus were utilized to establish forage values based on nutrient content of mature grass hay on an “as fed” per ton basis (Table 1).
Table 1
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------------Nutrient Levels------------- -------Value $ per -----------
Forages DM CP ADF Ca P cwt DM Value Ton as Fed
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Alfalfa Early
Vegetative 91.0 30.0 33.0 1.50 0.33 $18.76 $341.47
Alfalfa Mid
Bloom 90.0 17.0 35.0 1.41 0.24 $15.00 $269.98
Alfalfa Full
Bloom 90.0 15.0 37.0 1.25 0.22 $14.02 $252.41
Alf-Grass
Bud 60.0 18.0 31.0 1.00 0.28 $15.71 $282.70
Alf-Grass
Mature 90.0 12.0 45.0 0.75 0.22 $11.83 $212.88
Grass-Boot
Stage 86.0 14.8 37.3 .96 0.33 $13.98 $240.53
Grass
Heading 90.0 15.0 34.0 0.27 0.34 $14.42 $259.51
Grass
Mature 87.0 8.0 45.0 0.54 0.25 $10.85 $188.80
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Bottom-line: It has never paid more to understand the quality and quantity of the forage you are purchasing and feeding. Forage value and price will be high this winter. Know your cost of production; know when to buy hay, and when to make it. Seriously consider how you will bring your livestock though the winter months. Plan now while there is still time to impact forage quantity and quality.
C) THE OHIO PASTURE MEASUREMENT PROJECT - Jeff McCutcheon, Extension Educator, Knox County
The Ohio Pasture Measurement Project was started in 2005 to help producers understand the value of timely measurement of their forages.
Objectives
1. Provide a source of current, objective information on the relative performance of forages growing in Ohio accessible to producers across the state.
2. Demonstrate the use of pasture measurement/monitoring to aid in the management of grazing.
Methods
* Graziers from across Ohio measure at least one pasture field each week during the grazing season.
* Measurements are taken before and after grazing or clipping of that field.
* Measurements are taken with a commercially available rising plate meter.
Currently there are 16 graziers across the state of Ohio who measure the same field each week and report the results. Some measure more than one field. See http://forages.osu.edu/news/archive/graphics/2008PMP.jpg for their approximate locations.
The results of their measurements are reported weekly as a summary of daily growth on the Forage Team’s blog located at http://ohioforage.blogspot.com. Results are reported in pounds of dry matter grown per day per acre. This allows for differences in reporting dates. Basically each cooperator takes the measurements when they can. Since that is not all on the same day the growth per day is calculated for the time period between the measurements.
So how are pastures growing? If we compare the same weeks for the last four years, pasture growth does not look too bad. Growth has slowed compared to 2005 and 2006, but is better than 2007.
Table 1. Average Growth Reported in the Last Four Years. (lbs of DM per day)
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Week 2005 2006 2007 2008
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19 84 76 60 114
20 57 106 153 92
21 75 79 57 88
22 49 93 24 71
23 62 60 26 45
24 45 80 13 46
25 75 71 10 29
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If we look at the growth curve for our cool season grasses that says 20% of our total growth comes in May and 19% comes in June, then apply the ‘standard’ planning number for Ohio that says we produce 3.5 tons of forage from our pasture. Based on that calculation we should be growing an average of 45 lbs/ac/day in May and 44 lbs/ac/day in June.
So how could you use this information? Evaluating, measuring and observing pasture growth can give valuable information during a grazing season to help you make management decisions. You know how much your animals eat on a daily basis. Using pasture growth measurements can help you evaluate; the rotation in your grazing system, if a change in stocking density is needed, if planting alternative forages would help or even if fertilizer would be beneficial before the need for more forage and when there is adequate soil moisture to still grow more forage.
D) BRASSICAS - Chris Penrose, Extension Educator, Morgan County
Extending the grazing season to reduce costs is critical for ruminant livestock producers’ economic viability. About 60 percent of forage growth from traditionally grazed cool season grasses and legumes in Ohio occurs within a two month period in the spring. Feed costs account for over 90 percent of the variable costs on many cow-calf operations and the major portion of the cost is for hay production. Recent increases in materials such as fuel, fertilizer and metal for equipment have sent the cost to produce stored forages higher.
There are several low cost options to lower stored feed costs. Stockpiling forages is one of the best options, but there are several other options that have a niche. One of these include the brassica (turnips, rape, kale, swedes, etc.) family. Many studies and producer experiences reinforce that brassicas are a viable option to extend the grazing season, and reduce stored feed costs.
Forage brassica crops such as turnip, swede, rape and kale can be spring seeded to supplement perennial forages in late summer, or more commonly, summer seeded to extend the grazing season into early winter. Brassicas are annual crops which are highly productive and digestible and can be grazed 70 to 150 days after seeding, depending on the species.
Generally crops which produce roots or bulbs will out-yield those which do not produce edible roots. Whether the roots can be efficiently utilized by the species of livestock, and the manner of harvesting will be considerations in determining which species will be best suited for a particular use. Sheep are more efficient at grazing roots than cattle. With the upper set of teeth, sheep can chew on most of the root and leave only the bottom part of the root. Cattle can actually pull the entire plant out of the ground when grazing if the plant is at the right stage of growth (not too mature or immature) because most cultivars have the majority of the roots above ground. Cattle and sheep can make good use of both the tops and roots when strip grazed. This grazing method greatly reduces the waste from trampling.
One of the advantages of brassicas is that it is a high quality, high yielding, fast growing crop that can be planted late in the growing season, especially if a deficit in winter feed is anticipated. Both tops (stems plus leaves) and roots can be grazed and are very nutritious. Brassicas can be seeded (1) in the early spring for summer grazing or (2) in July or August for fall/winter grazing. All members of the brassica family - turnips, rape, kale, and swedes - produce forage of exceptionally high (often 85-95%) digestibility. Weight gains by stocker cattle and feeder lambs have been 0.2 to 0.4 lb/day for lambs and 1.5 to 2.0 lb/day for stockers.
Turnips and rutabagas are short-season root brassicas that provide roots, stem and leaf growth for rotational grazing or strip grazing 70 to 90 days after seeding. The leaves can be grazed from mid-September until January depending upon critical low temperatures and snow cover. Top growth generally will survive temperatures between 15-20 degrees F, while bulbs will be about 5 degrees hardier. If temperatures fall below this level, it is best to try to graze prior to temperatures going above freezing. The plants tend to become mushy and undesirable. A notable exception based on research in Illinois (Ballard, 1999) has been when brassicas are planted with other annual crops such as spring oats (planted in the late summer). Brassicas survived much colder temperatures when there was considerable protection from a tall stand of oats and a snow cover.
The common purple top garden type turnip as well as other cultivars can yield over 10,000 lb/acre of dry matter. The tops average 12-20% crude protein while roots contain 8-12% protein. Maximum quality of the plants occurs around 75 days (purple top turnips tend to mature earlier than other cultivars) and maximum quality is around 90 days as the roots mature (but the tops start to decline). At maturity, dry matter yields average around 40% in the tops and 60% in the roots. Some forage-type turnip cultivars such as All Top produce relatively more top dry matter than roots. Turnips are seeded from mid July to mid August at a rate of 2-3 lb/acre and produce maximum yields approximately 90 days after seeding.
While brassicas have been successfully used for centuries for livestock feed, the following precautions should be noted. Brassicas are very high in crude protein and energy, but extremely low in fiber. Their low fiber content results in rumen action similar to when concentrates are fed; thus the need for proper roughage supplementation. Brassicas therefore should never comprise more than two-thirds of the forage portion of livestock diets with the remainder provided by grass hay or stockpiled pasture
Strip grazing where forage is rationed every day or two provides the most efficient usage. Rape, kale and mustard have regrowth potential if not grazed below six inches. Turnips will regrow if the growing point at the top of the bulb is not removed. Two or more cycles should be possible with rotational grazing if rainfall is adequate. Rapes, kale and mustard can be green chopped for confined animals.
No-tillage seeding in sod is recommended, but competition from the sod must generally be controlled by herbicides during the first two weeks after emergence. Broadcast spray a burndown herbicide prior to seeding. Once established, brassicas will smother out most weeds. They also can be seeded with rye or oats which will help protect the soil after brassicas are consumed by animals and provide a more balanced diet.
In conclusion, brassicas offer a means for livestock producers to produce high quality forage either (1) during the critical summer period of slowed pasture growth and/or (2) to extend grazing into the late fall-early winter period. The rapid growth and yield potential make the crop an excellent option, especially when a shortage of feed is anticipated.
E) PASTURE VS CONFINEMENT LAMB FINISHING - Clif Little, Extension Educator, Guernsey County
Introduction
When wether and ewe lambs are fed free choice concentrates during the finishing phase and supplemented both on pasture and in the barn, how will growth rates compare? Will wether lambs grow faster than ewes, will being inside provide an advantage and how will the use of an ionophone impact growth?
In September of 2007 we decided to evaluate these questions on finishing lambs at the Eastern Agriculture Research Station (EARS) in Belle Valley, Ohio.
For this trial we compared the use of four different concentrate supplements fed in two replicates in the barn and two outside on pasture. Comparisons were made between male and female growth rates and feed efficiency.
Methods
Lambs were randomly assigned to feed groups and separated by sex. Four ad lib concentrate rations were evaluated and replicated twice in the barn and on pasture. Lambs were fed in a total of sixteen pens of five individuals each. All lambs were born in May 2007, weaned in August, vaccinated for C,D and T, and de-wormed prior to the start of the trial. Distribution by weight ranges were made across groups. The pasture consisted of unfertilized, stockpiled fescue and white clover. A cattle creep feeder was utilized to provide feed on pasture. Paddock size was approximately 1/3 acre each. Lambs finished in the barn were on a manure pack with approximately 38 square feet per lamb, open-fronted barn, and provided free choice hay and concentrate, via a gravity flow feeder. All lambs were provided with free choice water and minerals.
Lambs were started on test September 27th and taken off test December 4th, 2007. Both start and end weights were recorded (Table 2).
Results
For this project a statistical analysis using a completely randomized design was utilized.
Hypothesis: (1, 2, 3)
1. Lambs fed the same ration on pasture and in the barn will not have a rate of gain and feed efficiency (F/G) that is significantly different.
Results indicated feed type was highly significant (P<.001), but location (inside or outside) had a probability of P=.1109 and thus little effect on average daily gain (ADG). Feed per pound of gain was significant at a P=.0004 (Table 1).
2. Lambs supplemented with an ionophone will have a significantly improved feed efficiency when compared to groups of lambs not supplemented with an ionophone.
Results demonstrated that ionophone status did make a significant improvement in feed per pound of gain, P=.0197 (Table 1).
3. There is no significant difference in rate of gain and feed per pound of gain between males and females.
Results showed that neither ADG (P=.6470) or F/G (P=.9801) were affected by lamb sex (Table 2).
Discussion
Animal performance at this location and for these lambs was not significantly different when self-fed on pasture or in the barn. However, it appears that feed efficiency could become a concern in foul weather as potentially more feed can be wasted outside. Ionophones did significantly increase feed efficiency in both males and females and was a cost effective measure to improve animal performance (Table 1). Based on the feeds used at this location, males and females gained equally well during this phase of finishing (Table 2). Feeding lambs outside with a self-feeder is an inexpensive option for finishing lambs. However, feed wastage due to spoiling is a concern and producers should protect feed from excess moisture. Feed cost calculations are based on the amount of concentrate fed and does not account for pasture, hay, or death loss. Two lambs in the SH 101 groups, one lamb in an inside group, and one in an outside group died of acidosis. The 2008 feed prices will be significantly higher than 2007.
Table 1 Average Daily Gain & Feed per Pound of Gain
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Pen Total Feed lb/hd/day ADG lb Feed $/lb gain
/lb Gain (feed only)
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Green Valley Outside
1731 2.55 0.49 5.20 .97
Green Valley Inside
1809 2.66 0.57 4.63 0.86
Averages 2.60 0.53 4.89 0.91
Gerber Pellet Outside
1908.4 2.81 0.51 5.50 0.76
Gerber Pellet Inside
1824.3 2.68 0.54 4.97 0.69
Averages 2.74 0.53 5.23 0.72
Gerber Corn with ionophone Outside
1741.5 2.56 0.58 4.42 0.59
Gerber Corn with ionophone Inside
1435.6 2.11 0.50 4.22 0.56
Averages 2.34 0.54 4.33 0.58
SH 101 Outside
1036 1.90 0.34 5.6 0.48
SH 101 Inside
1276 2.08 0.39 5.35 0.45
Averages 1.99 0.37 5.46 0.46
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Table 2 Female vs Male ADG
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Female Male
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Average daily gain
for lambs inside and outside 0.54 lb/day 0.53 lb/day
Average feed
per pound of gain 4.78 4.78
Average start weight 65 lbs 67 lbs
Average end weight 102 lbs 103 lbs
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Feed tags, hay analysis and mineral composition used in this study are available at:http://forages.osu.edu/News/Archive/2008/amazegrazejuly08.html#d
F) UPCOMING EVENTS
July 11: OFGC Sheep Grazing Farm Tour 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Meet at the Athens County Fairgrounds, 280 West Union Street, Athens, Ohio
Cost $25:00 OFGC Member, $30.00 Non-member. Includes bus transportation and roast lamb lunch Registration July 3. Contact: 740.545.6349 x 215
July 12: Ohio Sheep Day. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Curt & Wendy Cline Farm, Albany, Ohio
Contact: Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, 614-246-8293
July 17: Licking County Pasture Walk. 6:30 8:30 p.m.
10650 Honda Hills Road, Thornville, Ohio
Contact: 740670-5329; 740-452-8618
July 17: Miami County Pasture Walk
6:00 9:00 pm
Details: 937-332-6829
July 21: Perry County Pasture Walk: Grazing Teff Grass and Alternative Forages for a cow/calf operation. 7:00 p.m.
6680 Harvey Chapel Rd, Logan, Ohio 43138
Details: 740-743-1325
July 22: County Pasture Walk: Monroe County
6:30 p.m.
Contact: OSU Extension Monroe County, 740-472-0810
July 26: Grazing Field Day: Established Rotational Grazing System (Spectrum Farm), Dr. Fernando Silveiro (Beef Genetics), Electronic Livestock Breeding and Management Systems (Larry Simmons). Begin at 24025 Brister Road (also Troy Township Road 120), Coolville, Ohio, 45723
Details: 740-373-4857, 740-452-8618
July 31: Knox County Sheep Grazing Pasture Walk.
6:30-9:00 p.m.
25267 Blanchard Rd, Howard, Ohio, 43028
Details: 740-392-7806, 740-397-0401, 740-452-8618
July 31: Coshocton County Pasture Walk
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
USDA ARS North Appalachian Watershed Research Station
Details: 740.622.2265
August 14: Licking County Pasture Walk: Grazing/Direct Marketing Goats.
6:00-8:00 p.m.
3744 Chestnut Hills Rd, Newark, Ohio 43055
Details: 740-670-5330, 740-452-8618
August 18: Perry County Pasture Walk: Grazing Warm Season Grasses, Cow/calf Operation.
7:00 p.m.
14322 Hopewell Twp. Rd. 65 NW, Glenford, Ohio 43739
Details: 740-743-1325
August 18: Morgan County, Ag Livestock Field Day
Contact: OSU Extension Morgan County 740-962-4854
August 19: Ohio Grazing Expo (with Jim Gerrish & Fred Provenza), Carroll County
10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Cost $8.00 includes lunch, register by Aug. 15th.
McKarns Farm, Kennsington, Ohio. Registration required.
Contact: OSU Extension Carroll County 330-627-4310
August 21: Clark County Pasture Walk
6:00 9:00 pm
Details: 937-328-4607
August 28: Knox County Beef Grazing Pasture Walk.
6:30-9:00 p.m.
17235 Carson Rd, Butler, Ohio, 44822
Details: 740-392-7806, 740-397-0401, 740-452-8618
September 11: Licking County Pasture Walk: Establishing a Rotational Grazing System.
6:00-8:00 p.m.
6694 Castle Rd, Johnstown, Ohio, 43031
Details: 740-670-5330, 740-452-8618
September 17: Logan County Pasture Walk
6:00 9:00 pm near Degraff, Ohio
Details: 937-593-2946
September 18: Perry County Pasture Walk: Established Cow/calf Grazing Operation.
7:00 p.m.
8898 Butcherknife Rd, Roseville, Ohio 43777;
Details: 740-743-1325
September 18: Shelby County Pasture Walk
6:00 9:00 pm
Details: 937-498-7239
October 23: Knox County Pasture Walk: Winter Annuals, Pasture Fertility
6:30-9:00 p.m.
13680 Sockman Rd, Mount Vernon, Ohio, 43050
Details: 740-392-7806, 740-397-0401, 740-452-8618
