Twilight Grazing Tour - Kewanee (08-26)

If you are planning to improve your pasture productivity or increase your pasture management skills, mark your calendar for August 26th 6-8:30 PM for a tour on the Brad Bates Farm just north of Kewanee, IL. The Bates grazing set up has been under development for the past two years with funding from the USDA EQIP program. The pasture operation includes a total of 300 acres and currently maintains 60 cows and calves and has the capacity for increasing the herd.

Attendees will tour the grazing system in its final stages of development, including a firsthand look at forage species, fencing and watering system development and paddock management. Producers can ask questions and learn more about managed grazing, animal control, and the EQIP progrm funding. Brad Bates will discuss the system development, current management of the system and goals for the future.

Other speakers for the evening will include Dean Oswald, U of I Extension Animal Systems Educator and Matt Bunger, NRCS grazing specialist.

Registration for this evening program will be $5 per person and include light refreshments, handouts and the speakers. To register, contact the Henry-Stark Extension office at 309-853-1533, or email jwest@illinois.edu by Monday, August 23rd.

The Bates Farm is located on Tower Road about five minutes from the Kewanee Sale Barn on the north side of Kewanee. From Route 78 north of Kewanee, turn on Sale Barn Road or County Highway 28, take County Highway 28 to the 3rd left (Tower Road). Follow Tower Road West for about 1.25 miles to the Bates Farm. (Watch of Signs) From Annawan Exit Interstate 80 take 78 South toward Kewanee, approximately 10 miles to Sale Barn Road. You can also locate the address on your GPS system or Google maps by inserting 23770 Tower Road, Kewanee, IL.