CORTLAND CO., N.Y. — Mark your calendar for an exciting series of pasture walks featuring a wide range of farm types and management styles! Meet experienced graziers and learn about pasture management strategies to boost soil health and profits. Network with others in the grazing community and discover funding opportunities to expand or improve your grazing operation. Pasture walks are hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) County Associations, with support from the South Central NY Dairy and Field Crops Regional Team.

JULY 6, 2022 | 12:30-2:30pm

Custom Grazing and Healthy Soils Workshop

Maridale Farm, 545 Turnpike Rd, Cayuga, NY

Hosted by CCE Cayuga & South Central NY Dairy and Field Crops Team

Contact: Ron Kuck, (315) 255-1183 or rak76@cornell.edu

Learn about custom grazing dairy heifers at Maridale Farm. Heifers are the foundation of a dairy enterprise, and raising replacements in confinement represents a significant investment. Grazing replacement heifers has potential to reduce costs while improving health and productivity. Grazing educator Fay Benson will share custom grazing resources and discuss all aspects of developing a custom heifer grazing enterprise. He will also demonstrate principles of soil health using the National Grazing Lands Coalition Soil Health Trailer.

JULY 6, 2022 | 6:30-8:30pm

Beef Grazing and Healthy Soils Workshop

Will-Sho Farm, 1913 Dixon Rd, King Ferry, NY

Hosted by CCE Cayuga & South Central NY Dairy and Field Crops Team

Contact: Ron Kuck, (315) 255-1183 or rak76@cornell.edu

Learn about soil health and rotational grazing beef cattle at Will-Sho Farm, home of Finger Lakes Natural Beef. Grazing educator, Fay Benson will demonstrate physical, chemical, and biological components of soil health using the National Grazing Lands Coalition Soil Health Trailer. Gain hands-on experience measuring soil compaction with a penetrometer and learn how compaction influences grazing land management and productivity.

AUGUST 13, 2022 | Time TBD

Multi-Species Grazing and Direct Marketing

Red House Ranch, Van Etten, NY

Hosted by CCE Chemung

Contact: Liz Alexander, (607) 734-4453 or ema228@cornell.edu

Join livestock farmers, Ike and Dave Mallula for a tour of their multi-species grazing operation. Learn how they manage beef, poultry, and hogs on pasture, and how they engage consumers to direct market pasture-raised meats. More details will be announced soon.

SEPTEMBER 15 – 16, 2022

Silvopasture Tour

Multiple locations

Hosted by CCE Schuyler

Contact: Brett Chedzoy, (607) 535-7161 or bjc226@cornell.edu

More details available at: http://www.silvopasture.ning.com

Join Us for the 2022 Silvopasture Tour in the Beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York on September 15 & 16! This unique two-day tour will showcase how silvopasturing looks and works on a number of farms centered around Watkins Glen area. All are welcome to attend this affordable and first of its kind event. Whether you’re a farmer, forester, or simply a friend of regenerative local agriculture and land management, this tour is a can’t miss opportunity to learn more and meet others interested in silvopasturing. For the latest information, visit http://www.silvopasture.ning.com.

OCTOBER 2022 | Date & Time TBD

Stockpiling Forages for Winter Sheep Grazing

Shetler Farm, Candor, NY

Hosted by CCE Tioga & South Central NY Dairy and Field Crops Team

Contact: Barb Neal, (607) 223-2753 or ban1@cornell.edu

Are your animals still grazing in January? Allen Shetler’s sheep are! Join us for a farm tour to learn about techniques for stockpiling pasture and winter grazing, facilitated by Farm Business Management Specialist Mary Kate MacKenzie. Allan will share how he efficiently delivers supplemental feed to grazing animals using a Greg Judy-style bale unroller. This pasture walk will feature a sheep fencing demonstration and a discussion of how to manage electric netting for winter grazing. Stay tuned for more details.

–CCE Cortland County