Climate-Smart practices for forage-livestock systems

LAURENS, S.C. – Forage growers and livestock owners can learn about climate-smart management practices for forage-livestock systems during an April 15 workshop at Foxpipe Farm located at 673 Easy Road Laurens, SC 29360.

This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $25. Registration is required. To register, visit Climate-Smart Practices for Forage-Livestock Systems On-Farm Field Day.

The workshop will be led by Liliane Silva, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service forage-livestock systems specialist housed at the Edisto Research and Education Center, and Maggie Miller, Clemson Extension associate. It will be hosted by Reed Edwards of Fox Pipe Farm.

“We have planned a fun and informative day on the farm for people to learn about climate-smart practices for forage-livestock systems,” Silva said. “This is a great opportunity for farmers to connect with and learn from other farmers and experts in the field, as well as share their own experiences.”

Demonstrations and hands-on activities

This will be a PowerPoint-free event. Demonstrations and hands-on activities will be used to explain the following topics:

Redesigning grazing solutions and practices to enhance sustainability

Attendees will visit Foxpipe Farm fields to learn about concepts and practices.

Soil health indicators and carbon sequestration

This activity will focus on soil health indicators and how they are determined. It also will cover how carbon is sequestered in the soil. Participants will learn how management practices directly impact those measurements and parameters.

Measuring greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and soil

Equipment and/or visual aids will be used to explain how on-farm greenhouse gas emissions from soil and from animals are measured, as well as the type of equipment used, how it works, how long it takes and more.

Producer discussion about emergent issues in sustainable production

This will be an open session for producers to bring up questions and issues related to the topics addressed during this event.

Alfalfa and sericea lespedeza establishment and production

This session will be addressed in the alfalfa and sericea lespedeza fields on the property. A general overview of establishment methods and practices will be given. Edwards will share his practical knowledge, experiences and challenges of growing both species.

This field day fulfills the annual training requirement for participants in the Climate-Smart Grown in SC project.

For more information, contact Miller at mmille6@clemson.edu.

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