Pasture Perfect: Free Soil Tests and Smarter Grazing

Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is always looking for new opportunities and benefits for their producers. We always have opportunities through cost-share programs like cover crops, log jam removal, stream exclusion fencing, equipment rental, etc. All of these programs wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), a huge thank you to them!

New this fall we are offering a rotational grazing kit, thanks to funding from MWCD! Rotational grazing offers benefits to both the land and livestock through numerous aspects. Soil health would be improved by increasing soil structure due to pastures being rested and increased water absorption as well as being able to withstand erosion and compaction.

Production of forage would be increased by giving the plants more time to regrow which leads to higher yields and higher quality of forages. This would be more nutritious for your livestock.

Finally it just helps the environment. By being environmentally sustainable through reducing soil erosion and improving water quality.

To rent the rotational grazing kit you must be an Ashland County resident. The kit can be rented for 60 days with no charge, a grazing management plan must be in place, a $100 deposit will be collected at the beginning of rental agreement and items may be purchased from the kit at cost.

Everything included in the kit can be found on our website or contact Soil Conservation Specialist Brennen Hart for more details at (419) 281-7645.

Unsure of which pasture is best? Need to know the nutrient values of your grazing pastures? Ashland SWCD is offering TWO FREE soil samples for pasturelands in Ashland County this fall. Thanks again to MWCD for partnering with us on this as well!

Soil tests are on a first come, first serve basis and there is only a limited quantity of them! Once the soil test results come back from our lab we send them to Water Quality Specialist Zoey Dudte will then create a Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan (VNMP) for you free of charge!

Nutrient management plans offer many benefits. Everyone likes to save a penny where they can and why buy fertilizer if you absolutely don’t have too! Avoid unnecessary applications by knowing your nutrient values, increase yourcrop yields by applying the right amount of nutrients, and improving water quality by keeping phosphorus and potassium on the fields instead of runoff into the streams.

This is a great opportunity for producers to be able to try rotational grazing without the initial cost and to see the benefits first hand! We urge producers to take advantage of this opportunity! Any questions please contact our office at 419-281-7645 or stop by the office 110 Cottage Street Ashland. Ohio 44805.