Pasture walk set for Aug. 3

SPOONER — The NW Wisconsin Graziers Network, Shell Lake-Yellow River farmer-led watershed council, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension and UW-River Falls invite you to our August pasture walk/field day of the 2024 grazing season Saturday, Aug. 3. Hosts Dave and Veronica Fogerty operate Black Creek Bison Ranch with about 200 acres west of Spooner on Rolling Green Road.

Come see the test plots of alternative and emergency forages such as Teff grass, Sorghum/Sudan, Pearl millet and crabgrass, cover crops, forage analysis tools (bring your forage samples for free testing), baleage demonstration and forage production evaluations. These and other topics will be discussed, as well as answering any and all questions from pasture walk participants.

Dave rotationally grazes 40 head of bison. Silvopastures developed several years ago from aspen, birch and hardwood forestland have stabilized by bison rotationally grazing and browsing. Now there are over 100 acres of grazing and high yielding silvopastures that the bison actually prefer over open fields of more conventional pastures. Silvopasture thinning, management and maintenance can be shared after lunch.

In the past, Dave has used alfalfa and orchard grass, winter rye and Sudan grass as part of his forage program on his sandy soils. He is currently experimenting with Teff and forage crabgrasses and variety of prairie grasses such as Switchgrass, big and little Bluestem. On-farm research trials are done in cooperation with UW-River Falls. A new feature of the forage research now includes baleage production using an individual bale wrapper. Participants are encouraged to attend beginning at 10 a.m. and then are invited to stay for a free lunch. Topics will include bison management, silvopasture management, soil health, alternative summer grazed annually seeded forages, baleage, prairie grasses, pollinator habitat and cover crop forages.

The farm is located at 2473 Rolling Green Rd., Spooner. From Spooner, take Highway 70 west about 10 miles, turn right or north on County Highway H, go 1 mile, then left or west on Rolling Green Road; it is 1 mile to farm on left. Watch for the signs.

For more information, contact Dave at 715.416.0000, Kevin Schoessow, UW-Madison Extension Spooner office, at 715.635.3506, Brent Edlin, Washburn County Land & Water Conservation Department, at 715.468.4654 or Lynn Johnson, 715.225.9882, at NW Graziers.