CHETEK, Wis. — In a difficult farming economy, grazing offers an avenue for decreasing inputs on the farm while also increasing animal health. Farmers and other interested in how grazing benefits animals and the land are invited to attend an Aug. 27 pasture walk at Sam and Brittany Olson’s dairy farm, 1814 3rd Ave., Chetek. The event, which kicks off at 1pm, is part of the Graze River Country series organized by Wisconsin Farmers Union and River Country RC&D.
The focus of the walk will be on transitioning dairy herds to grazing. Our hosts are fifth generation dairy farmers Sam and Brittany Olson, who run a small herd of registered Holsteins and Jerseys. The couple began intensive rotational grazing their springing heifers, dairy cows, and dry cows in 2018 as a means to make better use of their acreage while working toward being a more profitable and sustainable farm. They plan to incorporate every field contiguous to their 45 acres of permanent pastures into grazing as part of a 10-year rotation alongside grain corn, silage corn, and alfalfa.
Come hear their lessons learned and see how Sam and Brittany are implementing the first phases of their grazing plan with an eye to the future of Berglane Farm.
The walk is open to the public. Please RSVP to River Country RC&D Grazing Educator Kevin Mahalko at 715-314-0338 or at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/events.
“These pasture walks offer the opportunity for farmers and consumers alike to see sound conservation practices in action,” said WFU Communications Director Danielle Endvick. “Wisconsin Farmers Union sees a lot of potential for grazing as a sustainable path forward, with numerous benefits for family farms, wildlife habitats and our watersheds. In these tough times for family farmers, it also carries economic benefits.”
Find more upcoming pasture walk details at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/events or www.rivercountryrcd.org. Follow Wisconsin Farmers Union and River Country RC&D on Facebook to stay up-to-date on grazing news and upcoming events.
— Wisconsin Farmers Union
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