AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Iowa Beef Center, will host a cover crop grazing workshop on Thursday, April 14, from 5:30-8:00p.m. at Henry County Extension Office in Mt. Pleasant. The event is free, open to the public, and includes a complimentary meal.
Producers across the state are embracing Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy. A concerted effort to use cover crops as a method of conservation and protection of soil and water resources is underway. Cows offer a great opportunity to recoup implementation costs while recycling soil nutrients and reducing labor and feed needs. Iowa Learning Farms, Practical Farmers of Iowa, and the Iowa Beef Center are teaming up to share information on adding cover crops to your annual forage plan. Experienced producers will be on hand to share their stories.
“Farmers are asking a lot of questions surrounding cover crops, particularly how to economically fit them into a forage plan,” explains Patrick Wall, ISU Extension Beef Field Specialist for SE Iowa. Attendees of this meeting will also be able to ask questions to experienced producers already implementing cover crops as a forage source for their livestock enterprise. Wall adds, “This is a significant investment at a time when commodity prices are low relative to input costs. It’s important we help them get it right. Timing, seeding method, when to graze, and termination prior to planting are all crucial to success.”
The workshop will take place at the Henry County Extension Office 127 N. Main Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact the Henry County Extension Office at 319-385-8126 by April 12th to pre-register today. For additional information, contact Patrick Wall at 515-450-7665 or email patwall@iastate.edu.
For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the website: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation, encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms are the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319), Conservation Districts of Iowa, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Water Center and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
IBC was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.
— Iowa Learning Farms
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