Pasture management workshop to provide insights for horse owners

AMES — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Story County will host a horse pasture management workshop Sept. 2 in Ames. Horse owners looking to enhance their pastures are welcome to attend.

The classroom-based program will cover fundamentals of pasture management, with a focus on practical applications. Participants will discuss various topics, including setting goals for pastures, evaluating and improving existing pastures, understanding renovation and establishment of new pastures and optimizing grazing management to increase forage supply

Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist with Iowa State, emphasized the event’s value for horse owners.

“This workshop will provide an excellent opportunity to understand the basics of pasture management, which helps keep pastured horses in good condition and maintain pasture productivity for the long term,” Anderson said.

Educational sessions will be led by Anderson, Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and extension forage specialist at Iowa State, and Nicole Ferwerda, associate professor and equine farm manager at Iowa State.

The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 2 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Story County Office, located at 1421 S. Bell, Suite 107, Ames.

The cost to register is $20 per person or $30 per couple, which covers workshop materials and refreshments. Registration is required by Aug. 26.

For more information and to register, contact Katherine MacKenzie with ISU Extension and Outreach Story County at 515-337-1601 or katmack@iastate.edu.