Winter grazing meeting, Feb. 15

The Columbia/Dodge Grazing Network will host a winter grazing meeting at the Randolph Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

This informative event will focus on grass based meat and pasture economics and pasture management and interseeding.

There will be an opportunity for questions, networking with existing graziers and good conversation.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

Topics for the day include the following:

• Grass Fed Meat Economics - Brenda Boetel, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, will discuss the projected direction of the grass based meat economy for 2012.

• Economics of Corn vs. Pasture -- Paul Dietmann, Badgerland Financial, will discuss the long-term financial impacts of row crop production vs. pasture production. 1:00-2:00

• Pasture Management & Interseeding Grasses & Legumes - Paul Daigle, Marathon County Land Conservation Department, will discuss overall pasture management and grass and legume interseeding species and techniques.

• Pasture Interseeding Panel Discussion "From the mouths of farmers" Grazing Farmer Pannell - Gene Schrefer (sheep producer), Kevin Falk (dairy and beef producer) and Mike Gehl (dairy producer) will join Paul Daigle to discuss hands on personal experiences interseeding their pastures.

The Registration fee of $20 is due by Friday, Feb. 10. Checks can be made payable to UW Extension Columbia County, P.O. Box 567, Portage, WI 53901.

For more information contact Kirsten Jurcek, grazing education specialist, Town & Country RC&D at 920-342-9504 or kjurcek1@centurytel.net. Or contact George Koepp, UW Extension Columbia County, 608-742-9682 or george.koepp@ces.uwex.edu.