SARDINIA, Ohio – Farmers and producers interested in learning more about how to improve forage and pasture management after a drought can participate in a discussion of the issue by experts from Ohio State University Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nov. 15.
The drought of 2012 has been one of the worst on record in Ohio, leaving many livestock producers hard hit in their pastures and forages, said Dave Dugan, an OSU Extension educator. Dugan will discuss how producers can manage weeds coming out of a pasture in drought during the joint meeting.
The presentation, “Make Your Land Work for You -- Tell Us What You Need and We’ll Tell You How,” is from 6 to 8 p.m. at 12681 U.S. Highway 62, in Sardinia. The event is free and open to the public.
“The drought has had a significant impact on livestock farmers due to losing pasture, including to overgrazing,” he said. “An overgrazed pasture leaves a diminished amount of desirable forage species and opens the opportunity for weeds to get started in many cases, more so than in a normal year.”
Dugan will discuss methods to control weeds including herbicides and mechanical methods, as well as how to maintain pastures so weeds don’t go to seed to repopulate or multiply.
“We hope we don’t have another drought so we have time to get new species in our pastures,” he said. “Texas and Oklahoma are states that have seen drought back to back, and I hope that we don’t.
“It’s just a gamble when you have to depend on the weather.”
Other issues to be discussed at the meeting include:
- How to improve grazing in challenging conditions.
- How USDA supports Ohio agriculture through conservation efforts and supports rural communities through disaster.