The Northwest Chapter of Pennsylvania Project Grass will be holding a field day July 22 at Elder Farms in Lawrence County.

The event is open to the public. The day will start at 9 a.m. at the farm just off Route 956 in Wilmington Township. 

The Elders’ rotationally graze 75-commercial cows along with Dorper and Kathadhin hair sheep.

Grazing begins in mid-April and runs through December. Late season grazing is on residual cornstalks along with brassicas and turnips. The cows are rotated every four to five days with rest periods of up to 45-days.

Handling is accomplished using a “Bud Box,” which eliminates a crowding tub before the cattle chute which can help in reducing stress.

The brothers operate a fence construction business in addition to their farming operation. The tour will feature their grazing operation, handling facility and fence building skills.

The Lawrence County conservation district will provide information on Manure Management, Western Reserve Farm Cooperative will talk about proper soil testing and using the reports and Vanessa Philson, a local veterinarian and a representative from Merial pharmaceuticals, will review parasite control and mineral programs.

The tour is sponsored by the Northwest Project Grass Chapter, Penn’s Soil RC&D, Lawrence County Conservation District, PA Grazing/Forage Lands Conservation Coalition and the USDA NRCS.

Registration is necessary for the lunch and support materials. To register, call the Lawrence County Conservation District, 724-656-2474 by Tuesday.

The day will consist of outdoor activities. Please dress suitably.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.