Sioux County pasture walk features tips for successful grazing
Proper planning helps provide great grazing land.
5/30/25
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Pasture is a longtime and significant part of Iowa agriculture and is a critical component of the state's agricultural landscape. To help producers make the most of these essential resources, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers pasture walks that provide an invaluable opportunity to explore real-world examples of pasture management in action.
ISU extension beef specialist Beth Doran said these events provide a hands-on learning experience where livestock producers can assess pasture health, exchange ideas, and discover innovative practices that enhance productivity and animal well-being.
“Successful grazing involves careful planning and timely management,” she said. “It’s more than just turning the cows out.”
Northwest Iowa cow-calf and stocker operators are invited to a pasture walk on July 10 at the Justin Boersma farm, 4347 390th St., Hospers. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a light supper, followed by speakers and pasture tour from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Participants will learn how to get started and manage grazing with a first-hand look at how Boersma grazes 30 head of stocker cattle on 16 acres of mixed grasses.
These topics, speakers, and their affiliations are part of the program.
- Setting up a watering system – Erik Scott, Cobett Waterers
- Establishing fencing for grazing – Brad Ketchum, Gallagher Fencing
- Determining grazing capacity – Andrew Koehlmoos, USDA NRCS – O’Brien County
- Restoring over-grazed pastures – Patrick Corey, USDA NRCS – Crawford County
- USDA pasture improvement funding – Troy Davelaar, USDA NRCS – Lyon County
- Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Insurance – Shelby Oetting, Farm Bureau Financial Services
There is no charge for the pasture walk thanks to support from ISU Extension and Outreach; the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Lyon County, O’Brien County, Osceola County, and Sioux County.
See event details and directions to the pasture walk. Register by July 2 by calling Sioux County Extension at 712-737-4230 or emailing Beth Doran. Participants should dress for the outdoors and pasture walking and bring a lawn chair.
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The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.
Contact:
Beth Doran, ISU extension beef specialist, 712-737-4230, doranb@iastate.edu
