Events

The 2018 South Dakota State Fair schedule will be posted in July.

-Participants will meet at St. Mary's Hall parking lot at 2:00 pm where transportation to the site will be provided.

-The workshop will include information on:
A livestock watering system that utilizes a solar pumping system and storage tanks which gravity feeds rubber tire water tanks. Extensive rotational grazing systems which will include pasture sizes, grazing duration, and alternative fencing systems. Range plant ID, indicators of rangeland heath, stocking rates, and drought planning.

-For More Information Or To RSVP Please Contact Cody Kartak cody.kartak@sd.usda.gov
(605)842-0603 Ext. 3 or Tresh Swedlund (605) 840-4070

The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is excited to announce that the 2018 Soil Health School will be held September 5-7 in Hartford SD with field demonstrations taking place at the farm of Kurt and Kathy Stiefvater.

Topics Included In The School Agenda Include:

-Precision Ag Utilizing Soils
-Soil Properties
-Agronomics
-No-Till Planting
-Crop Rotational Diversity
-Cover Crops
-Inventory of Farm Resources
-Soil Assessment and Monitoring
-Managing Soil Salinity
-Water Infiltration and Dynamics
-Planning
-Soil Biology
-Fencing and Watering Systems
-Forage Allocation
-Implementing Grazing Practices

Thursday, September 6, 2018

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Each year, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition hosts the South Dakota Grazing School in Chamberlain/Oacoma. Two three-day sessions are offered during the 2nd week of September. Class #1 convenes Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon.

The Grazing School is designed for producers and anyone with an interest in learning how to best manage grasslands to benefit livestock. The agenda features presenters from state and federal agencies and universities. Area producers share their expertise about various topics related to grazing techniques and grassland management.

For more information please contact Judge Jessop (605) 280-0127 or judgejessop@sdconservation.net.

Each year, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition hosts the South Dakota Grazing School in Chamberlain/Oacoma. Two three-day sessions are offered during the 2nd week of September. Class #1 convenes Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon.

The Grazing School is designed for producers and anyone with an interest in learning how to best manage grasslands to benefit livestock. The agenda features presenters from state and federal agencies and universities. Area producers share their expertise about various topics related to grazing techniques and grassland management.

For more information please contact Judge Jessop (605) 280-0127 or judgejessop@sdconservation.net.

In these afternoon workshops and
field labs we will explore soils using
magnifiers and digital means. Through
hands-on steps, you will gain practical
knowledge to examine your soil biota,
gauge economic returns and improve
your operation. Get into the soil pit
and fields with Jimmy Emmons and
other regional experts to put your new
knowledge to use.

Early registration until Sept. 6
Late or walk-in registration $60

-8:45 AM Registration
-9:30 AM Welcome
Tighty Whities Demonstration
Eric Barsness, NRCS
-10:00 AM Field Site Visit
Seeding Cover Crops in Small Grain Stubble
Doug Toussaint, Farmer, Wahpeton, ND
Ron Kohl, Farmer, Claire City, SD
Earthworm Discussion Focusing on Soil Health
Rodney Utter, NDSU
Seeding Cover Crops into Soybeans & Corn
Graig Reicks, SDSU
Lee Briese, Centrol Ag Independent Crop Consultant
-12:15 PM Lunch @ Claire City Fire Hall
-1:15 PM No-Till Soybeans into Corn Residue with Growing Rye

For further info and to RSVP please contact NRCS or RCD (605) 698-7431 Ext 3

Contact Angela Ehlers at (605) 895-4099 for more information.

The Phil Jerde family has been using the principles of Holistic Management for nearly 20 years. Using buffalo and cattle as tools they have seen remarkable changes in the health of their land.

With Holistic Planned Grazing and the tools of grazing, animal impact and recovery time they have:
 -Increased diversity of plants and wildlife.
 -Increased their stocking rate for their area.
 -Healthy riparian areas are improving and increasing in size and diversity.
 -Birds, beetles and beavers are on the increase

Registration is free to all members of the South Dakota Grassland Coalition – or $30 for nonmembers (which include a complementary one year membership).

Meal with be provided after Tour:
Please RSVP for Tour & Meal: Contact Randy Holmquist - (605) 730-0550
or Randy@zhvalley.com