Creating Productive Pastures After a Drought

Maryland Media Liaison:

Carol Hollingsworth, 443-482-2902

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Where: Westminster, Maryland
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Pastures for all types of livestock have been through a few tough seasons in the last few years and many landowners are wondering what to do. On Tuesday, April 22nd from 4 PM -6 PM, a pasture walk will be held at Spring Mills Farm owned by Jerry and Juanita Russell.

During the walk University of Maryland, Carroll County Extension, and Carroll Soil Conservation District staff will be discussing in the field what should be done to help pastures recover from the prolonged drought we have just been through. In many cases your pastures will not recover unless you do the right things at the right time. Scott Updike, the University of Maryland’s new Beef Specialist will be present to discuss innovations in beef production and management. Invited pasture specialists, Elmer Dengler of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Maryland and Dr. Les Vough, Emeritus, of the University of Maryland will provide a step by step process on how to evaluate your pastures’ needs for all types of livestock. They will also discuss the most economical ways to return your pastures to productivity and over time reduce the amount of purchased hay. Handouts and tools to help in this process will be available at the walk.

Spring Mills Farm is a small cow calf operation located on about 100 acres at 640 Spring Mills Road near Westminster, Maryland. The Russell’s have practiced rotational grazing since 1989 and the pastures are divided into nine paddocks. They have developed a good water delivery system to provide fresh water to their pastures by working with the Carroll Soil Conservation District and Extension Offices.

Presently the Russell’s have 31 cross-bred Herford/Angus, Maine – Anjou/ Angus cows with calves bred to a Maine-Anjou/Chianina bull and 20 cross-bred (Maine-Anjou / Angus cows with calves and 3 heifers bred to a purebred Angus bull. They actively support 4-H by selling 5-10 steer calves as 4-H club calves. Calves that are not sold as club calves or retained as heifers are sent to a state-graded sale at Front Royal, Virginia.

Please RSVP to Gay Teada at 410-848-8200 extension 3 if you are interested in attending this pasture walk and for more detailed directions to Spring Mills Farm.