Category
Demonstrations
The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, Inc. (VFGC) collaborates with producer members in different areas of the state, to demonstrate various forage and grazing management techniques. These demonstrations are one way to promote the utilization of forages to meet producer goals while highlighting grazing management practices that improve forage production, grazing efficiency and soil health.
VFGC is also the recipient of a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) from USDA-NRCS. We encourage you to look at and follow the progress of the demonstration farms listed below as changes are implemented and their grazing systems improve.
11Jul 27, 2017
The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council is excited to present a short video highlighting Ronnie Nuckols discussing his journey as a grazing demonstration cooperator over the last few years. In this video, “A Step by Step Approach to Building Pasture Productivity and Soil Health,” Ronnie explains where he started, the challenge to change, how he transitioned to grazing management and […]
12Mar 21, 2017
This publication is available as an EXCEL file only. To customize a fence budget copy the link below to your web browser then click on the excel file, save the file to your computer then open the file. http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ANR/ANR-257/ANR-257.html
13Sep 7, 2016
Tim Tobin of Swallow Hill Farm in Caroline County began a grazing demonstration in partnership with the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council over a year ago. Jim Tate, Conservationist with the Hanover Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District introduced Tim to the VFGC and organized a farm visit in November 2014. At that time Tim met with Patty Johnson, Chris […]
14Sep 7, 2016
Stockpiling forage for the winter months can be a valuable tool for farms to reduce dependence on hay, while providing cattle with a palatable and grain free substitute. As part of her work on John Fant’s farm, Katelyn recently began the process of evaluating the twelve paddocks in grazing zone one for the potential for fall stockpiling. During this process […]
15Jul 27, 2016
The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council is currently working with John Fant who co-owns and operates Summerfield farm in Independence, Virginia. Summer Field farm is a grass-fed and grass-finished beef cattle operation. John, a veteran of the United States Army, has been farming full time since 2013, but Summerfield farm has been in John’s family since the 1970’s. Continuous grazing […]
16Apr 7, 2016
Ronnie Nuckols agreed to plant five different annual forage mixtures in large strips across one hay field. After the second cutting of Teff hay the summer of 2014, the field was desiccated to kill all vegetation in preparation for a fall planting. The following seed mixtures were planted on September 2, 2014 and fertilized after planting. Weather was hot and […]