“Pasture Management: Recovering from 2023,” hosted by the University of Illinois Extension, will focus on recovering from the 2023 growing season drought and short forage supply in three evening sessions.  The sessions are intended to build upon each other by looking at options and management practices to make the most of existing resources, consider overlooked resources, and build future forage resources.  The sessions will be held on consecutive Tuesday nights, March 12, 19, and 26, starting at 6:30 pm each evening at the Lena Community Center, 497 Lions Drive, Lena, IL. 

The Pasture Management series is designed to help experienced and new livestock managers define a successful path forward.  The focus of the individual 1.5-hour sessions will be:

• March 12: Pasture Options and Economics
  Bill Halfman and Jay Solomon will kick the series off with presentations and discussion on evaluating current situations, forage options, and management opportunities.  With an eye on short term economics and long-term success, they will share ideas and tools to help livestock owners to better evaluate the current situation and consider options to help meet the immediate forage needs.  Bill Halfman brings a focus on the cost and benefit considerations based on his experience of working with individual producers.  This will be a chance to step back and think about: Are you putting all the options on the table?   
• March 19: Pasture Recovery and Weed Control
  The second night will focus on making the most of existing pastures.  Managing pastures for recovery from a dry year can be challenging. There are questions and decisions to be made:  Do you overseed the pasture?  When should you turn the animal back out on to the pasture?  Do you do a complete renovation?  Have or will weeds take over?  How to manage the weed pressure?  Sarah and Kathryn will be delving into these and other issues.
• March 26: Keeping the Pasture Working
  Travis Meteer and Jay Solomon will bring all the concepts presented together into a plan to maximize pasture production/ forage availability throughout the year. Active pasture management and incorporating other forage supplies can help ensure adequate feed supply even during tough years. Travis will discuss the forage quality and quantity needs of the animals during different life stages.  Jay will discuss how to physically accomplish better pasture management and rotations with low inputs for internal fencing and water systems. 

“Regionally, we have trended dry to moderate drought for much of the last three years.  These long-term dry conditions have negatively impacted forage production in pasture and hayfields.”  commented Jay Solomon, Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator.  Fall and winter rains and snow have brought sufficient moisture to mitigate the surface drought conditions experienced during the 2023 growing season, as indicated on the recent Midwest Drought Monitor map.  Has this been enough to recharge the surface groundwater tables?  Will the timely rains continue into the 2024 growing season? While those questions can’t be definitively answered at this point, now is the time to start planning for sufficient forage and feed supply to carry our livestock through the year. 

To register or for more information, call the U of I Extension Office at (815) 235-4125 or visit us online at https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/pasture-management-recovering-from-2023; registration is required to attend.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to attend this program, please call the U of I Extension at (815) 235-4125. Early request are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs.