"Improving Soil and Pasture Through Management Intensive Grazing" field day at the Virgil Knobloch farm, Bloomfield. Potluck to follow.
Virgil raises organic, grass-fed beef on 580 acres of rotationally grazed pasture. He finishes 75 cattle a year, moving them through the pastures two to five times per day. Virgil started practicing Management Intensive Grazing in 2008, after working with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to install fencing and watering systems. Virgil’s herd consists of Devon, Red Angus and Black Angus cattle. His goal is to graze year-round, and he is working to achieve this by improving his soil health and pasture species. He will discuss using cattle to re-seed pasture, bringing back native grasses, managing fescue and stockpiling for winter.
Also speaking: Doug Peterson, Iowa/Missouri regional soil health specialist, NRCS
Directions From Bloomfield: Take IA Hwy 2 west 8 miles to West Grove. In West Grove, turn left onto Ebony Avenue, traveling south for 3.2 miles. Turn right onto 262nd Street; and drive 0.75 mile; the farm is the first house on 262nd Street, and is on the right side of the road.
Potluck: Stay for a potluck dinner after the field day; it will be held at the nearby West Grove Township Hall (an old schoolhouse). The Knoblochs will grill meat; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. The address of the hall is 22050 Eden Avenue, West Grove, IA 52537.