University of Wisonsin Extension Pasture Walk
A pasture walk will be hosted by University of Wisconsin Extension-Rusk County at the Jersey Gold Dairy Farm on Aug. 6.
University of Wisconsin Extension-Rusk County is sponsoring a pasture walk at Jersey Gold Dairy Farm (Jason and Theresa Ludvigsen) on Wednesday, August 6 from 9:30am to Noon. Jason and Theresa took over the dairy farm from their parents, Gene and Phyllis Ludvigsen, in January of 2013. The dairy farm has been in organic production for over 15 years. Jason and Theresa milk about 45 Jersey/Shorthorn crosses in a stall barn. The Ludvigsens ship their milk through Organic Valley and are on their "Grassfed Milk Route", which means their cows are fed 100% pasture with no grain or corn silage supplementation.
The pasture walk will feature several new management practices. A field that previously was used for corn and an old pasture in need of renovation were seeded to an annual forage (peas and oats or sorghum) for 2015. Both fields will be initially harvested as hay, and then placed in rotation if needed; and will have a pasture mix no-tilled into them following a late season grazing or hay cutting. In addition, and out-wintering area that was no-tilled into this spring will be evaluated. Some pollinator habitat plots will be discussed along with a University of Wisconsin pasture plot that is evaluating various grass yields.
Following the walk, there will be a lunch sponsored by Organic Valley. Organic Valley representatives will be on hand to answer questions and present their perspective on the farm.
The farm is located at N7676 Spur Road in Sheldon, WI. From Sheldon, go south on County Road VV and cross the river, turn left (east) on Spur Road. Follow Spur Road about 2 miles to the farm. Watch for signs. To learn more contact Rusk County Ag Agent Rich Toebe at 715-532-2151 or at richard.toebe@ces.uwex.edu.
Source: University of Wisconsin Extension
