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Strips of Prairie Alongside Crops Can Save the Soil

As Dr. Lisa Schulte Moore said in an NBC News story, the simple act of planting strips of prairie alongside corn, wheat, soybeans and more can reduce soil erosion by 95%.

Not only can prairie roots protect the soil, they also reduce fertilizer runoff by 90%. Plus, bees and butterflies flourish, buzzing among the prairie flowers. Pheasants and other birds enjoy their new habitat.

High school seniors want their photos taken among the pretty flowers.

It’s wonderful to see Iowa farmers planting prairie. Let’s get to the point where planting prairie is common across the Midwest (even if in strips), where more bees are buzzing and monarchs are floating on the breeze, where the soil is rich and healthy.

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Grazing Network Group: What it is and how it benefits our operation

Video: Grazing Network Group: What it is and how it benefits our operation

In the spring of 2023 OMAFA, along with the University of Guelph, gathered a group of 18 producers from the beef, sheep, and dairy sectors to support a three to four year research project related to measuring grass growth in Ontario. The producers use a Rising Plate Meter to capture grass growth and record livestock movements. This presentation will explain how the group interact/support one another, some initial findings, as well as the benefits for the research team and our farm.

The purpose of the Profitable Pastures conference is to bring fresh ideas and new research results to Ontario grazing managers across the ruminant livestock sectors. These conferences have a major focus on pasture management