LONDON, Ohio — If you are interested in seeing new forage plots or have an interest in developing your grazing rotation, visit the new year-round forage and grazing demonstration plots at the 70-acre Gwynne Conservation Area during the Farm Science Review.
A new livestock grazing demonstration area has been created in the Gwynne Conservation Area, and will be open for producers to visit during the Review.
A 1.1-acre plot that had previously been planted in warm season bunch grasses was converted into a series of forage varieties designed to help teach management intensive grazing principles. The goal, said Timothy McDermott, DVM, OSU Extension educator in Hocking County who has been part of the research team, is to use this plot to advise producers who want to get closer to a year-round grazing program.
The acreage was divided into four plots, roughly a quarter-acre each, and planted with four different forage types, including warm season annuals, warm season perennials, cool season perennials and overwintered stockpiled forage.
FSR pasture walk
During the Review, speakers from Ohio State Extension and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will share information on different forage topics using the demonstration plots, with a pasture walk component so that producers can get a closer view of the rotations.
Visitors will have a chance to ask questions about how they can incorporate these forages and techniques into their grazing and hay making systems.
Take a shuttle
At the Review, you can reach the Gwynne Conservation Area by taking one of the shuttle wagons, located on the west end of the main show grounds.
For questions about the project, contact McDermott at mcdermott.15@osu.edu.
