Pasture Walk for Dairy & Livestock Producers

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (September 12, 2024) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program invites anyone interested in learning more about grazing dairy and livestock to a pasture walk on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 1:00 - 2:30 pm at Murphy’s Grass Farm, 4270 Sherman-Ripley Rd (Rt.76), Sherman, NY.

Doug Murphy, owner of this organic dairy farm will share his successes & opportunities rotationally grazing 100 Jersey dairy cows and 100 dairy replacements on his farm’s 200 acres of grass pasture.

We will discuss managing weeds in an organic grazing system, as well as conventional systems, tiling pastures to improve grass yields, the value of soil sampling, and renovating existing pastures. Doug will also discuss how he and his employees manage the herd of organic Jersey dairy cattle, milks the herd in an efficient 14-unit swing milking parlor, harvests hay and bailage and uses bedded packs for housing his lactating herd and replacements during the winter months. Calves are housed in small groups and are fed pasteurized whole milk.

The discussion will be facilitated by Lisa Kempisty, Extension Educator, CCE-Chautauqua County, with Katelyn Miller, Field Crops Specialist with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension SWNY Dairy, Livestock, Field Crop Team who will share information on weed control to improve pasture quality and yields.

No charge to attend. To help plan for light refreshments, please RSVP by noon on September 18th to Lisa Kempisty at 716-664-9502 Ext 203 or ljk4@cornell.edu. Please wear footwear that can be disinfected.

Anyone with an interest in growing high quality grass forage is encouraged to join us for this pasture walk and discussion to learn about and share ideas with others grazing their dairy and livestock.

The Agricultural Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated September 13, 2024