(Courtesy Listing)

MDA Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant (3-year study final field day walk-thru)

Goat Grazing During Winter in Minnesota:

Ways to Control Vegetation on a Larger Scale While Saving on Supplemental Feed Costs

1. Explore the benefits and limitations of grazing goats during winter by increasing our knowledge of electric mesh fence effectiveness, water supply maintenance, and movable winter shelters. We also want to quantify the economic benefit of winter grazing.

2. Assess winter grazing system potential for protection and release of native plant species while controlling invasive and undesirable plants by attempting to influence the goats’ preference for undesirable woody vegetation.

3. Monitor indicators of livestock comfort and health by noting their preference for certain shelters and the inside temperatures. In addition, weight change and mortality of goats will be monitored.

11:30 - 12:30 Lunch will be at the Cheese Cave, 318 Central Avenue N., Faribault, MN There will be a cost of approximately $15 for lunch. We request you RSVP for lunch by 2/22/2019 so we can have a head count for the meal.

RSVP to john@minnesotarcd.org

12:30 - 1:30 Presentation by Goat Dispatch, Jake & Amanda Langeslag

1:30 -2:00 Travel to Tour Site

2:00- 3:30 Field Tour : 4640 230th E St, Faribault MN 55021

Directions: Go North from Cheese Cave to 4th St. NW, Go East one block to 1st Avenue NE, Go South (1st will change to Willow St.), Continue on Willow to Glynview Trail, Go SE to 227, Go East to slight jog south and then East on 230th . Watch for signs.

John E. Beckwith, Executive Director

Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council 

(612) 599-5864