CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — Randy and Liz Mittag will host a pasture walk on their Shadow Ridge Ranch in River Falls on Sat., Aug. 12. The walk, which will be from 1-3pm at N6834 Cty. Rd. E, is part of the Graze River Country series organized by Wisconsin Farmers Union and River Country RC&D.
The Mittags bought the farm in April of 2016 and are in their second year of establishing an intensive grazing system for their registered polled Hereford cow-calf herd. They have worked with the Pierce County Natural Resource and Conservation Service to establish pasture land with seeding, perimeter fences and a watering system.
“This walk will offer the opportunity to see how Randy and Liz worked to transition cropland into pasture,” said River Country RC&D Grazing Specialist Mary C. Anderson. “They’ve been hard at work growing their herd and their land base.”
To get to the farm, take WI-29/WI-35 out of River Falls for approximately 2 miles to County Rd E. Turn left onto Cty. Rd. E, and drive about 2 miles. Shadow Ridge Ranch is on the left.
There will be a pie social following the walk, with pie provided by the Pepin-Pierce County Farmers Union and St. Croix County Farmers Union chapters. Please RSVP to Mary C. Anderson at 715-579-2206. If you have any trouble finding your way to the farm, reach out to Randy and Liz at 912-964-6415.
The Mittag walk is one of several upcoming walks in the Graze River Country series.
“We’ve really enjoyed being able to get farmers out to other farms to see grazing innovations in action,” said Danielle Endvick, WFU communications director. “We have several more pasture walks coming up throughout the next few months and hope to continue to see a growing interest in grazing as a solution for soil conservation and animal health.”
Upcoming events include:
- Sat., Aug. 19, 10am-12pm, Brad and Tina Midtling, Townside Jerseys, 2891 U.S. Hwy. 12, Wilson. Lane improvements and organic dairy.
- Tues., Aug. 29, 6:30pm, Ashly and Stacy Steinke, Sedge Wood Farms, 30101 190th Ave., Cornell. The beginning stages of starting a beef farm and conversion from row crops to grass pasture.
- Fri., Sept. 8, 12-3pm, Joe and Kristy (Rosemary) Lulich, 63375 U.S. Hwy. 63, Mason. Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program and pasture layout improvements.
- Sat., Sept. 23, 11am-3pm, Charles Flodquist and John Richmond, 12454 20th St., Colfax. Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program, farm transition tips and the River Country RC&D Annual Picnic.
- Sat., Oct. 28, 10am-12pm, Brad and Melissa Larson, N10688 Cty. Rd. M, Colfax. Fall cover crops and how they fit in with a grazing operation.
Graze River Country is a joint effort of Wisconsin Farmers Union and River Country RC&D. Find the latest event details at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com or www.rivercountryrcd.org.
— Wisconsin Farmers Unions
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