Woodland grazing is a common practice in Minnesota.
While uncontrolled livestock grazing can degrade woodlands, well managed woodland grazing has potential benefits for both livestock and marketable trees.
Learn more about silvopasture practices that can be profitable on properties at the "Grazing in the Woods" tour. The tour will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Sunup Ranch, operated by Greg Booth and Vicki Kettlewell at 12316 County 18 SW, Brainerd.
Property owners and experts will discuss how trees, cattle and forage can coexist as one system for economic production and environmental protection. Researchers and extension educators from the University of Minnesota will also discuss the results of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources-funded project, "Enhancing Environmental and Economic Benefits of Woodland Grazing."
Booth and Kettlewell and project collaborators Jeff Duchene, Natural Resources Conservation Service grazing specialist, and Jim Chamberlin of Happy Dancing Turtle will also share their perspectives on silvopasture as an approach to improving and enhancing the benefits of woodland grazing.
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The tour site is one of three sites that are part of the three-year University of Minnesota Extension research study in Crow Wing County that demonstrate practices employed in woodland grazing. Visit nac.unl.edu/practices/silvopasture.htm for more information.
The cost of the tour is $10, which includes refreshments and materials. Visit www.regonline.com/woodlandgrazingtour to register online.
