Dairy Pasture Walks to feature two northeast Iowa grazing farms

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invites dairy producers and pasture enthusiasts to two upcoming pasture walks in Clayton and Allamakee counties this September.

Pasture walks are informal educational opportunities designed to highlight key aspects of pasture management and provide practical answers to common questions. These events are open to all producers who rely on forage-based systems.

“These pasture walks will offer participants a close look at innovative grazing practices, sharemilking arrangements and low-cost parlor systems tailored for grass-based dairy operations,” said Jenn Bentley, extension dairy specialist at Iowa State.

The first pasture walk will take place Wednesday, September 3, at the farm of Andy Schaefer, located at 25037 Lake Road, Garnavillo. Schaefer will share insights on his sharemilking program with a young couple, provide a walking tour focused on pasture management and offer an inside look at his parlor design.

With over 30 years of experience in grazing and dairying, Schaefer milks more than 100 cross-bred cows on 160 acres.

Directions: From Garnavillo, head east on County Road 17 for 3.5 miles. Then, turn south onto 232 Street and continue for 1.1 miles. Afterward, go south for 2.3 miles on Lake Road. The farm will be on the right.

The second pasture walk will be held Wednesday, September 10, at Jeremy Peake’s farm, located at 323 North Line Road, Waukon, Iowa. Peake will showcase his recently installed TRANS Iowa low-cost parlor system and lead a walking tour on managing pastures for grass milk production.

Peake’s grass-fed organic dairy farm includes 40 Jerseys and crossbreds pastured on approximately 80 acres.

Directions: From Highway 9, turn north onto Apple Road for 1 mile. Then, turn right onto North Line Road and continue for about 0.2 miles. The farm will be on the right.

Both events will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and feature presentations from ISU Extension and Outreach dairy field specialists Larry Tranel and Jenn Bentley, who will discuss low-cost parlor systems, sharemilking programs and grass milk production in pasture-based systems.
RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Jenn Bentley at 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu or Larry Tranel at 563-580-6635 or tranel@iastate.edu.