Newsroom

CORVALLIS - The pasture calendar, a new concept for improving the management of hayfields and pastures, is the featured topic of two upcoming workshops scheduled Feb. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Riddle Community Center in Riddle, and Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College in Salem.

Co-sponsored by the Oregon State University Extension Service, these meetings are open to the public. They are aimed at hay and forage producers in western Oregon.

The presenters in both workshops will give an overview of forage research conducted over the past 10 years in western Oregon and western Washington, said Gene Pirelli, OSU Extension Service district livestock and forage agent and co-organizer of the meetings. Much of the information presented at the workshops is included in a new publication called "The Pasture Management Calendar."

Presenters for both workshops are Marty Chaney, pasture specialist, Washington Natural Resource Conservation Service; Steve Fransen, Washington State University Extension agronomist; Larry Brewer, pasture specialist, Oregon Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Pirelli.

Topics to be covered at the meetings include plant growth and how pasture plants respond to grazing, year-round management techniques to keep pastures productive, soil fertility, and animal management.

The cost of the workshop at Chemeketa Community College is $25, which includes break refreshments and workshop handouts.

Chemeketa Community College is located at 4000 Lancaster Drive N.E. The workshop will be held in Building 61, Room 102. For more information contact Gene Pirelli at: 503-623-8395 or by e-mail Gene.Pirelli@oregonstate.edu.

The cost of the workshop in Riddle is $30, which includes break refreshments, lunch and workshop handouts. The Riddle Community Center is located at 123 Parkside St. Riddle. For more information contact Shelby Filley at 541-672-4461 or by e-mail shelby.filley@oregonstate.edu.

You may register for these workshops at the door, but pre-registration is encouraged.