Farm transition will be among the topics addressed at a Sept. 23 pasture walk at Hill Creek Farm near Colfax, Wis. The event will highlight how Charles Flodquist has worked with Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program Journeyman John Richmond to ensure the next chapter on the Dunn County dairy farm.

The walk, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is being co-hosted by Dunn County Farmers Union and River Country Resource Conservation and Development Council. River Country RC&D’s summer picnic will follow the walk, with dessert provided by Dunn County Farmers Union.

Featured walk topics will include managed intensive grazing, biseasonal breeding, farm transition and how the apprenticeship program is working to educate the next generation of dairy farmers. Attendees will also see the farm’s swing-15 New Zealand-style milking parlor.

Flodquist and Richmond milk between 120 and 170 crossbred dairy cows and manage 350 acres of pastures. Flodquist, a grazier since 1992, relies heavily on his mixed forage pastures for the bulk of the summer ration.  He also uses a leader-follower grazing system, which presents its own management challenges, especially in dry years. Richmond was the first apprentice to work on Hill Creek Farm and graduated from the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program in mid-June.

To get to the farm from Colfax, follow State Highway 40 east for about 5 miles. Turn left on 20th Street and follow for three-quarters of a mile. The farm is located on the left side of the road at 12454 20th St. For more information, call Mary C. Anderson at 715-579-2206. For help navigating to the farm, call 715-505-3232. 

This walk is part of the Graze River Country series, which includes one final walk this fall from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 28 at Brad and Melissa Larson’s farm, N10688 County Road M, Colfax. That event will highlight fall cover crops and how they fit in with a grazing operation. Learn more at wisconsinfarmersunion.com or www.rivercountryrcd.org.

Source: Wisconsin Farmers Union