AMES, Iowa—Livestock producers and land managers interested in learning more about pasture productivity and grazing management practices are invited to participate in the Iowa Grazing Academy this July and August. The Iowa Grazing Academy consists of online sessions and in-person field days that provide practical skills and strategies for improving grazing practices.
The online sessions will be held July 13–22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Participants can join all sessions or choose those that fit their schedule. All sessions will be recorded and available for later viewing.
Topics that will be covered include forage growth and species selection, animal nutrition and health, rotational stocking, alternative forages, pasture infrastructure, enterprise budgets, weed management and grazing technology.
Following the online sessions, participants are encouraged to attend one of three beef-focused field days held in different parts of Iowa. The field days will provide a hands-on opportunity to learn about summer annual integration and rotational stocking and grazing management in cool-season pastures.
Field day locations and dates are:
- East Central Iowa: Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, July 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Southeast Iowa: K7 Hereford, Lockridge, July 28 from 3 to 8 p.m.
- Central Iowa: 2XL Cattle Company, Boone, Aug. 4 from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Online participation is offered at no cost, while in-person field day registration is $20 per person. Online sessions are optional but highly recommended for those planning to attend a field day.
Participants can register online for the virtual sessions and in-person field days.
For those planning to participate in the online sessions, register at least two days in advance, as the link to join will be sent the day before each session. Only register once for the online sessions. For the field days, pre-registration is encouraged to help organizers plan meals; however, on-site registrations will be accepted.
The Iowa Grazing Academy is funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.
For more information, contact Shelby Gruss, forage extension specialist, at sgruss@iastate.edu or 515-294-3832.
(contributed press release, ISUANR)
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