Forage and Pasture Field Day Educates Local Producers

By Natalie Wolff, USDA-NRCS
Rangeland Management Specialist
Throckmorton, Texas

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) welcomed approximately 50 landowners and producers from throughout Throckmorton County, who attended the Forage and Pasture Field Day on June 29, 2006. The field day had workshops planned with discussions about conservation, and was sponsored by NRCS, Throckmorton Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Texas Cooperative Extension Service.

The goal of the field day was to inform local landowners and producers of new alternatives in forage production and pasture management. Some of the major concerns are the implementation of new practices, and the constant rise in fuel and fertilizer prices. The morning started off with an introduction from Throckmorton District Conservationist Jerry Gleason, who spoke to producers about the different practices they could implement, and how featured practices may work great for some landowners and producers. Justin Gillam, who is the CEA Texas Cooperative Extension Agent, welcomed the participants, and included information about earning CEU’s for those who have pesticide applicator licenses. After lunch, Dr. Yoanna Newman, Texas Cooperative Extension Service, and Dr. Dariusz Malinowski, Texas A&M University, presented information concerning successful pasture management, drought tolerant fescues, and alfalfa varieties.

The field day tour began at the Clark Ranch, where participants inspected an improved pasture of W.W.B Dahl Bluestem that had been established three years prior. A pasture of a native mixture, along with a pasture of Jose Tall Wheatgrass was also shown on the tour. Since these fields had been in production over the last few years, the participants were able to see what a good stand looked like, and were able to ask the producer/manager questions. Some of the queries from field day participants were about production rates, forage tonnage per acre, stocking rates, and drought tolerance issues. Throckmorton County has been in a dry spell so the participants were able to see first hand just how drought tolerant these cultivars and mixtures really are within the area. The tour ended with a short stop at the Lamberdt Ranch to observe a well-established Giant Bermuda pasture.

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