Everyone is thinking spring now; field work, gardens and lawns.  But don't forget about the pasture, is yours' ready for grazing? Cornell Cooperative Extension has 4 things to check.

Taking a stroll through your pasture can provide some important information.

Grass and Weeds

Animals may overgraze some areas and under-use others due to the species present. You also need to identify weeds in your pasture, particularly species that may be poisonous to your animals.

Fences and Gates

This is common sense, check fencing and gates.  Consider adding other fencing to improve animal distribution and grazing.

Water Availability

Providing additional water may be a necessary part of your pasture management. Locate any streams, ditches, ponds, or wetlands in your pastures. Consider fencing animals away from these areas to minimize nutrient contamination and protect habitat for fish and wildlife.

Determine Soil Type and Fertility

The Natural Resource Conservation Services online Web Soil Survey can be used to determine your soil type. You can find out soil’s nutrient content of by submitting a soil sample to a local laboratory. Soil testing helps in selecting the correct type and amount of fertilizer and lime necessary to optimize growing conditions for a specific pasture.

Preparing to turn your sheep or goats out this spring? Join us on April 23rd for a full day, hands-on training with a discussion on pasture management, including fencing and paddock design, and grazing planning. Still have questions on what plants or weeds are in your pastures? Join us on May 4th from 10am to 3pm at the Jerry Schlabach and John Troyer Family pasture-based dairy farms on 5537 Nelson Rd in the rolling hills of Canastota NY as we welcome the University of Vermont Extension Agronomator and Assistant Professor, Daniel Hudson, who will lead us on a journey into the exciting aspects of plant identification, building soil and pasture management. NY Organic Dairy Initiative Coordinator, Fay Benson, will also join us to feature soil monitoring tools from the mobile National Grazing lands Coalition Soil Health Trailer. For more information on any of Madison CCE’s upcoming programs visit madisoncountycce.org.

 

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