A new dairy farmer will be all ears at a pasture walk scheduled for Wednesday, April 27 at the John Berlage farm near Ridgeway, Iowa. Berlage started milking in February of 2010 and is currently milking 16 cows in a small parlor with freestalls. The closed herd of registered Holsteins goes back to his initial 4-H project. He started grazing last year with limited success but has made improvements with information learned at various pasture walks. Berlage is eager for suggestions and ideas from the pasture walk attendees.
The walk will run from 1 to 3 p.m. and is open to grass-based farmers or “graziers” of all species and at all levels. The Berlage Farm is located at 2326 265th Avenue, Ridgeway. From Decorah at Jct. of Hwy 9 and 52, go west 6.5 miles on Hwy 9 to 265th Ave, then south 0.8 miles to the farm.
The Northeast Iowa Graziers plan monthly walks to local farms to help producers learn how better pasture management can result in both healthier profits and a healthier environment. The walks are organized by area graziers and supported by Iowa State University Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Northeast Iowa Community Based Dairy Foundation.
Click here to download the 2011 Pasture Walk schedule for Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin or contact Jennifer Bentley, ISU Extension dairy specialist at (563) 382-2949. PD
—From ISU Extension news release
