Pasture Walk at Black Creek Bison Ranch

NW WI Graziers Network is hosting their annual Bison Pasture Walk and Lunch at Dave and Veronica Fogerty’s Farm. Dave rotationally grazes 40 head of bison and incorporates silvopasure into his management strategy. Topics will include bison management, silvopasture, soil health, alternative summer grazed annual forages, prairie and native grasses, pollinator habitat, and cover crop forages. Read more about their farm and practices here!

Participants are encouraged to attend beginning at 10AM or earlier and then are invited to stay for a free Bison burger lunch. The Wisconsin Bison Producers Association meeting will be held in midafternoon after the event.

This pasture walk is perfect for both new and experienced graziers. Topics will include:

• Alternative and Emergency Forages: See test plots of Sorghum/Sudan, and Pearl millet,silvopastures developed from former aspen, birch, and hardwood forestland.
• Forage Analysis: Bring your forage samples for free on-site testing.
• Drone Technology: Witness a demonstration of drone spraying, fertilizing, and seeding.
• Silvopasture Management: Learn about thinning, managing, and maintaining silvopasture systems, with insights into native grasses and oak savannah ecology from specialist, Stephen Thomforde.
• On-Farm Research: Discover ongoing trials with UW-River Falls, including experiments with forage grasses, and prairie varieties like Switchgrass, Big Bluestem, and Little Bluestem.
• Bison Management & Soil Health: Gain insights into managing bison for improved soil health and productivity.
• Pollinator Habitat & Cover Crops: Explore the role of grazing in creating pollinator habitat and the benefits of cover crop forages.

For more information, contact:

• Dave Fogerty: 715-416-0000

• Lynn Johnson, NW Graziers Network: 715-225-9882

• Brent Edlin, Washburn County Land & Water Conservation Department: 715-468-4654