WASHBURN COUNTY -- The Northwest Wisconsin Graziers Network, Shell Lake Upper Yellow River farmer led watershed council and UW-Madison Extension invite you to our July pasture walk of the 2022 grazing season. Hosts Dave & Veronica Fogerty operate a grass based Black Creek Bison Ranch with about 200 acres west of Spooner on Rolling Green Road. Come see the wide variety of test plots of alternative and emergency forages such as Teff grass, Sorghum/Sudan, Pearl millet, and Crab grass, cover crops, forage analysis tools, and forage production evaluations These and other topics will be discussed as well as answering any questions from pasture walk participants.
Dave rotationally grazes 40 head of bison. Silvopastures developed several years ago from aspen, birch and hardwood forestland have stabilized by bison rotationally grazing and browsing. Now there are over 100 acres of expanded grazing and high yielding silvopastures that the bison prefer over open fields of more conventional pastures.
In the past Dave has used alfalfa and orchard grass, winter rye and Sudan grass as part of his forage program on sandy soils. He is currently experimenting with Teff and forage crab grasses, and variety of prairie grasses such as Switchgrass, big and little Bluestem. On-farm research trials are Dave’s specialty and are done in cooperation with UW-River falls. Participants are encouraged to attend beginning at 9AM and then are invited to stay for a free lunch. Discussion on silvopasture, alternative summer grazed annually seeded forages, prairie grasses, cover crop forages, and even bee pollination will be encouraged through the noon hour.
The farm is located at 2473 Rolling Green Road, Spooner. From Spooner take Hwy 70 west about 10 miles, turn right or north on County H, go one mile then left or west on Rolling Green Road, it is one mile to the farm on the left. Watch for the signs.
For more information, contact Dave Fogerty at 715-416-0000, Kevin Schoessow, UW-Madison Extension, Spooner office at 715-635-3506, Brent Edlin, Washburn County Land & Water Conservation Dept. at 715-468-4654 or Lynn Johnson, NW Graziers at 715-225-9882.
Last Update: Jul 13, 2022 1:54 pm CDT
