Sioux County Hosts Pasture Walk to Promote Better Grazing

By Andi Anderson

Grazing is an important part of Iowa’s agriculture, and helping farmers manage pastures better is the goal of a special event in Sioux County.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a pasture walk on July 10 to support producers with real-world knowledge and techniques.

The pasture walk will take place at the Justin Boersma farm, located at 4347 390th Street in Hospers, Iowa. It begins at 5:30 p.m. with a light supper, followed by expert presentations and a pasture tour from 6:00 to 8:45 p.m.

Beth Doran, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said that successful grazing requires thoughtful planning and proper management. “It’s more than just turning the cows out,” she explained. The event offers livestock producers a chance to see practical examples of grazing on 16 acres where 30 head of stocker cattle are managed using mixed grasses.

Participants will hear from a range of speakers covering key topics in pasture care:

• Erik Scott from Cobett Waterers will explain how to set up a reliable watering system.
• Brad Ketchum of Gallagher Fencing will cover fencing options for efficient grazing.
• Andrew Koehlmoos from USDA NRCS O’Brien County will talk about determining proper grazing capacity.
• Patrick Corey from USDA NRCS Crawford County will offer tips for restoring overgrazed pastures.
• Troy Davelaar from USDA NRCS Lyon County will highlight available federal funding for pasture improvements.
• Shelby Oetting of Farm Bureau Financial Services will introduce pasture, rangeland, and forage insurance options.

The event is free to attend, with support from ISU Extension and Outreach, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts from surrounding counties.

This hands-on learning experience is designed to help farmers improve livestock health, pasture productivity, and long-term sustainability.

Photo Credit: grass-in-your-pasture