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  2903 Gary Drive 
  Plymouth, IN 46563 
  (574) 936-2024 ext. 4 
  info@stjosephswcd.org 

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    Grazing Bites
    An Indiana NRCS Monthly Newsletter
    • Sep 25, 2019
    • 5 min

    Grazing Bites

    Fall is here even if it doesn’t feel like autumn weather. I like warm weather and am always sad to have to see it go. Several people have commented to me about dry conditions. For me, after almost a year with no completely dry periods, it has been nice for a change, especially to not have to get the baler out after mowing the lawn. But the dryness is a concern and has caused a lot of stress on plants. After continuous wet conditions all spring and into summer, plants got
    7 views0 comments
    Grazing Bites
    An Indiana NRCS Monthly Newsletter
    • Sep 3, 2019
    • 5 min

    Grazing Bites

    The Old Farmer's Almanac has released their forecast for this winter. “Mild, with soakers” is how Indiana is labeled. I don’t put a lot of weight on these forecasts, but they often line up with other forecasts and occasionally are completely correct. If this forecast holds true, I think we all need to prepare for a winter similar to last year. This past winter, I kept hoping for some free concrete—frozen ground. I only had about a dozen days and that's not enough. To add tru
    9 views0 comments
    Grazing Bites
    An Indiana NRCS Monthly Newsletter
    • Feb 28, 2019
    • 5 min

    Grazing Bites

    I have seen a lot of pugged pastures the last few weeks. Pugged meaning soil trampled into consolidated mud by hooves. There are a few parts of the state that have remained frozen long enough to retard excess damage to pastures. The rest of the state has remained wet enough that any pastures or overwintering areas that have been used have occurred damage to the sod. I mentioned last month that I was asked about temporary or summer cover for overwintering areas. I have also
    11 views0 comments
    Grazing Bites
    Indiana NRCS
    • Jan 4, 2019
    • 5 min

    Grazing Bites

    It is 45 degrees outside today as I write this article. I normally appreciate mild winter weather, but when it rains, and temperatures remain above freezing, except for a frivolous teasing of heavy frosts, a pasture can get pretty ugly. I for one wouldn’t mind a little free concrete right now, you know, frozen ground. For many of us, 2018 was an extremely wet year. Some parts of Indiana, including where I live ended up with over 60 inches of rain. That makes me think of
    10 views0 comments
    Grazing Bites
    An Indiana NRCS Monthly Newsletter
    • Nov 1, 2018
    • 5 min

    Grazing Bites

    I mentioned last month that there are still plenty of good growing days left this fall and they need to be taken advantage of. One of the first things to do to make sure you obtain as much plant growth as possible, especially with perennial forages, is to stop grazing forages that will continue to grow for a while, especially forages that will stockpile like tall fescue. Now, I don’t think anyone would’ve predicted it would be almost 70 degrees the day before Halloween. I
    13 views0 comments
    Grazing Bites
    An Indiana NRCS Monthly Newsletter
    • Aug 31, 2018
    • 5 min

    Grazing Bites

    The older I get, the more I tend to philosophize about things. I’ve been asked a few times why I am such an advocate for sound grazing practices. Best management grazing practices, just like conservation practices for reducing or preventing soil erosion on cropland, help preserve and or regenerate resources not only for present generation, but also for future generations. Keeping a field in forages will save more soil and conserve more water than almost all other erosion c
    5 views0 comments

    St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District Plymouth Service Center 2903 Gary Drive, Plymouth, IN 46563 Phone: 574-936-2024 Ext. 4 Fax: 855-496-7861. Please direct comments or concerns to info@stjosephswcd.org or call 574-936-2024 Ext 4.

    © 6 March 2013 ~ St. Joseph County SWCD The St. Joseph County SWCD and USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Refer to our Civil Rights Statement page for details.

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