Irrigation Pasture Walk - Birds All Dairy

• Wednesday, August 17, 2022, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

PROTECTING PASTURES FROM DROUGHT
Fay Benson - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County

I've had plenty of opportunity in my work to watch other graziers as well as graze my own animals. One conclusion I've come up with is: "Anyone can graze in a wet year; it takes a good grazier to graze in a dry year". Drought disrupts grazing operations more than confinement operations since confinement operations plan to have stored feed for their animals so when drought weather hits they have time to react and make alternative plans. It doesn't affect the livestock. As pasture soil dries, grass growth slows, graziers try to keep their rotation going hoping for rain. When it doesn't come they have to change to stored feed which can have a negative effect on livestock production.

An Ounce of Prevention (Click here to read full article)

If you are interested in learning more about Kim's irrigation system, there will be a pasture walk at their farm on August 17th at noon. The farm is located at 3642 Old Worden Rd, Canaseraga NY 14882. Bring a dish to pass or $5 for lunch.

A van will be leaving Cortland at 9:30 AM. If you'd like to ride with us contact Fay Benson, info below

Registrations are preferred. Contact Lynn Bliven at lao3@cornell.edu ph- 585-268-7644 x18 or Fay Benson at afb3@cornell.edu or 607-391-2669

Participation in this pasture walk will include the opportunity to hear from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops team who will be in attendance. They will share more information related to managing lactating dairy cows on pasture, reducing risk through pasture investments (and their financial implications), and nutritional information. SWNYDLFC is a partnership between Cornell University and the five Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben Counties. Their work for this program is financially supported by the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program and through the Northeast Extension Risk Mangement Education program. This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021‐70027‐34693.