AMES, Iowa — Whiterock Conservancy is a non-profit land trust of 5,500 acres located near Coon Rapids along the Middle Raccoon River. The Conservancy demonstrates a variety of sustainable agricultural practices that build soil health. Rob Davis, Conservation Land Manager with Whiterock Conservancy, will discuss pasture conservation and grazing for soil, livestock and wildlife benefits during the Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Wednesday, January 17 at 12:00 noon.
“Diverse pastures offer the opportunity to not just graze livestock more efficiently but also the opportunity to enjoy grassland habitat and associated wildlife,” Davis commented. Davis oversees conservation grazing efforts with five different tenants on the trust’s land. During the webinar, the pasture system at Whiterock Conservancy will be reviewed with a focus on pasture and soil health. Grazing records on cool- and warm-season pastures offer economic insight as well as the opportunity to explore the impacts on what is happening below ground.
The Iowa Learning Farms monthly webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon. To log in, go to: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ at 12:00 noon and log in through the “guest” option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for viewing at any time at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA Section 319), ISU’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Iowa Farm Bureau, and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
— Iowa Learning Farms
For more news from Iowa, click here.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place May 18 at noon CDT will feature Emily Zimmerman, assistant professor, department of natural resource ecology and management & global resource systems, department of horticulture, Iowa State University. Zimmerman’s research focuses on the innovative application of geospatial data and tools to identify opportunities […]
CORTLAND CO., N.Y. — In my work, first as a grazing dairy farmer and now as a Cornell University Cooperative Extension educator working with graziers across New York State, I have been aware of pasture soil compaction but one experience in particular gave me the insight into the slow and furtive nature of compaction in […]
AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show reached new heights, raising $375,265.92 at the 39th annual show. All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, with houses in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. The local charities provide a “home away from home” for families of sick children. Since 1983, […]
ITHACA, N.Y. — I had a pasture soil compaction epiphany while working in a St. Lawrence County pasture on a NE SARE-supported project. The project was to plant radishes and other brassicas into established pasture swards. The goal was to try methods of establishment of late-season forages which would increase the palatability and nutrient density […]
