Pasture Renovation Workshop Helps Northwest Alabama Producers

March 12, 2008

Anyone with pastures for livestock or horses is aware how environmental conditions these past two years have compromised forage quality and availability. Anyone with animals is questioning the condition of pastures this spring.

Recently, Randall Armstrong, Lauderdale County Extension coordinator, and Robert Spencer, an urban regional Extension specialist, with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, conducted a workshop addressing aspects relevant to forage-based production including soil quality.

The workshop targeted large and small ruminant producers as well as horse owners. It provided producers with educational materials on soil fertility management, forage production options and controlling undesirable vegetation. A representative from the local United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency also shared information about ways the agency provides assistance.

Thirty-six people attended the workshop and of those attending half owned cattle, one-fourth owned goats and the remainder owned horses.

Evaluation reports showed that participants attending the workshop felt more confident they would be able to restore their pastures this spring. They also felt they would be more efficient and effective in producing forages for their livestock, less dependent upon grain feeds and out-sourced hay to feed their animals, and more likely to increase farm profit margins.

Posted by dreynold on March 12, 2008 11:34 AM
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