Pasture and forage acres are critical to soil conservation and the profitability of beef cattle operations.

At noon Oct. 18, Joe Sellers, beef field specialist with Iowa State University Extension, will discuss which practices make grazing more effective and how management-intensive grazing can work on Iowa farms. He will also discuss where opportunities exist to expand grasslands in Iowa during this Iowa Learning Farms webinar.

“I work with producers on all types of management practices, but I am very passionate about getting more perennial forages into diversified livestock systems in Iowa,” he says. “It’s important for producers to learn how to improve the productivity and protection of their land.”

Opportunities exist to expand grasslands in Iowa
Sellers has worked for ISU Extension for over 30 years, specializing in grazing management, beef cattle nutrition, cattle management systems, beef cattle leases and cattle share agreements. He has also led the Greenhorn Grazing and Iowa Certified Graziers courses in Iowa for the past eight years and assists with managing a Lucas County farm that was settled by his family in 1856.

The ILF monthly webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of each month at noon. To log in, go to connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf and use the “guest” option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for viewing at any time at iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation, 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, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ISU 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.

Source: Iowa Learning Farms