We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Graeme Finn, a cattle producer and soil consultant from Canada, will be in Chinook and Turner later this month to share his expertise on how hearty pastures improve and maintain cattle health.
The Kimmel Ranch, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be hosting two workshops on the topic "Soil Health: A Key to Profitability" on January 28-29, and anyone interested should call the NRCS to preregister by January 23.
The first workshop will occur on January 28 at 10:00 a.m. in Chinook when Graeme Finn, a producer and consultant whose philosophy is to 'work with the environment to improve the environment,' will share his experiences. From Crossfield, Alberta, Canada, where he rents around 2800 acres of pasture on long-term agreements for the family's yearling grass operation and beef cow herd, Finn will present at the Blaine County Library Meeting Room, located at 112 4th Street.
Finn's research will illustrate not only the effects of planting cover crops but the impact that winter grazing, cell grazing and other types of forage grazing can have on soil health over time. Believing that great pastures deliver great cattle, Finn will also share information about the influence such practices have on animal health and overall profitability.
Another presenter at the workshop will be Danny Pratt, District Conservationist for the NRCS who works out of the Chinook Field Office. Pratt will offer guiding principles for how to implement regenerative ag practices on any operation.
"Soil health is a current buzz word," Pratt said. "We have a whole predator-prey relationship underground where microorganisms make their home; we just don't see them.
"We can keep this ecosystem thriving by applying five key principles: 1) keeping the soil covered, 2) maximizing diversity in the soil system, 3) keeping roots living, 4) minimizing soil disturbance to maintain desirable soil structure, and 5) integrating livestock. When we employ soil health practices to address these principles, we improve sustainability and reduce risk to crop and grazing lands," he added.
Pratt, whose entire job revolves around conservation and developing plans to address resource health, is eager to share seed solutions and work principles that ensure a healthy soil biology. He will also demonstrate a rainfall simulator to convey the importance of capturing every drop of precipitation nature gives us.
"As production costs go up, it is imperative to address the risks to stay in business," Pratt stated. "Anyone interested in this topic should know about Gabe Brown. He's like the poster child for the current soil health movement that focuses on regenerating our resources."
According to Pratt, the Browns own and operate a diversified 5,000-acre farm and ranch near Bismarck, North Dakota. Their operation focuses on farming and ranching in nature's image. The Browns holistically integrate their grazing and no-till cropping system. This diversity and integration has regenerated the natural resources on the ranch without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides.
Susan Massar, a Soil Conservationist also with Blaine County NRCS, will describe different soil tests that can be completed by producers, the purpose of conducting such tests, and how to interpret the results.
The three presenters will share their expertise a second time on January 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the Legion Hall, located at 100 Main Street in Turner. The Kimmel Ranch will again host.
According to their Facebook page, the mission of Kimmel Ranch, which was founded in 2001, is to serve the families who live and work in North Central Montana to provide a healthy, happy, profitable livelihood while striving for healthy land and livestock. Tricia Kimmel, who approached the NCRS with an interest in the soil health topic, encourages Blaine County residents to join them in discovering how soil health is the key to profitability on a farm or ranch.
Both workshops are no-cost events that will include lunch, so those interested in attending should pre-register by Jan. 23 by calling NRCS at 357-2320, extension 3, or Tricia Kimmel at 399-3909 so that organizers can get a lunch count. For additional information, a person might also email Kimmel at kimmel@kimmelranch.com.
