Clayton County Pasture Walk Offers Hands-On Learning for Forage Producers

By Andi Anderson

Forage producers interested in improving pasture health and productivity are invited to attend a Clayton County pasture walk on June 30. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Scott Cherne farm near Guttenberg, Iowa, and is designed to provide practical, field-based learning.

The pasture walk will focus on common challenges faced by livestock and forage producers, including pasture weed management, soil fertility, interseeding, and forage species selection. The goal is to help producers better understand how management decisions affect pasture performance and productivity.

Joshua Michel, extension field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will lead discussions during the evening. He will explain why fertility management is important and how weeds can compete with desirable forage species.

“Currently, pastures in Northeast Iowa are growing very well, but that also means that many weeds are also doing well,” he said. “This is an opportunity for producers to see how different herbicide strategies can help manage weeds and boost pasture productivity.”

Ryan Hegland, pasture and land management specialist with Corteva, will also take part in the event. He will discuss weed suppression strategies and explain the differences shown in several herbicide demonstration plots. These demonstrations will allow producers to compare results directly in the field.

In addition, Michel will share information on interseeding techniques and selecting forage species suited to pasture conditions. Participants will also receive a brief overview of the farm’s rotational grazing system and cow calf operation. After the introduction, attendees will be transported to the pasture areas using hay racks for easier access.

The pasture walk is intended to encourage discussion and questions while allowing producers to see real examples of pasture management practices. A light dinner will be served following the field portion of the event, giving participants time to network and share experiences.

Producers interested in attending are encouraged to preregister. More information is available by contacting the ISU Extension and Outreach Clayton County office by email or phone.

This pasture walk offers a valuable opportunity for producers to learn practical strategies that can improve pasture health, manage weeds effectively, and support sustainable forage production.

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