Grazing workshop at area farm

If you’re raising grazing animals, mark Aug. 26 on your calendar. From 6 to 8:30 p.m., a grazing tour will be held on the Brad Bates Farm just north of Kewanee.

The Bates grazing set-up has been under development for the past two years with funding from the USDA EQIP program. The pasture operation includes a total of 300 acres and currently maintains 60 cows and calves.

Attendees will tour the grazing system in its final stages of development, including a first-hand look at forage species performance, water system and fencing, as well as hear how the paddocks are managed. Producers can ask questions and learn more about managed grazing, animal control, and EQIP program funding.

Featured speakers for the evening will include Dean Oswald, Univeristy of Illinois Extension grazing educator, and Matt Bunger, NRCS grazing specialist from the Bloomington office.

Registration is $5 per person and includes light refreshments, handouts and the speakers. To register, contact the Henry-Stark Extension office at 853-1533, or email jwest@illinois.edu, by Aug. 23.

The Bates Farm is located on Tower Road about five minutes from the Kewanee Sale Barn on the north side of Kewanee. From Route 78 north of Kewanee, turn on Sale Barn Road or County Highway 28, take County Highway 28 to the “T” at Tower Road. Watch for the sign and the Bates Farm at 23770 Tower Road.

You can also locate the address on your GPS system or Google maps by inserting 23770 Tower Road, Kewanee, IL.