July 10, 2009

The South Dakota Grassland Coalition and the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition have joined forces to host a bus tour of progressive grazing operations around the Yankton, S.D., area on July 21-22.

The two organizations will meet at the Best Western hotel in Yankton at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, then head to the Pat Steffen ranch near Wynot, Neb. Steffen is an organic producer who raises Scottish Highlander cattle and conducts custom grazing. The afternoon will feature the organic grazing operations of Dave Fischer and Martin Kleinschmidt, both of Fordyce, Neb. Fischer has recently initiated an irrigated rotational grazing system, and has worked closely with Kleinschmidt, who produces low-line Angus cattle.

Tuesday evening dinner at the hotel will include entertainment from South Dakotan Micah James sharing his world renowned collection of Tonka trucks, followed by the Rancher Panel Discussion. Panelists will give a short presentation then take questions in a round table discussion, and include: Dan Rasmussen of Belvedere, S.D., who helps manage his family's certified organic ranch and sells organic grassfed beef; Angela Jackson of Vermillion, S.D., a consultant who has worked with Hy-Vee to market organic beef; Tom Neuburger of Canistota, S.D., who produces, processes and markets organic meat; and Jim Carr of Atkinson, Neb., who has a successful history of using rotational grazing to eliminate noxious weeds and improve grass production.

Wednesday the tour will travel to Plainview, Neb., to visit the ranch of Wayne Rasmussen, a cattle producer whose practices include converting row crops to grass under pivot, grazing corn, grass-finishing beef, and extending the traditional grazing season. The tour will conclude at 1:30 p.m. at Yankton.

The Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition has chartered a bus to leave from Kearney at 5 a.m. on July 21, with a stop in O'Neill, Neb. The South Dakota Grasslands Coalition will charter a bus from Miller, S.D., with stops in Mitchell, Kimball and Parkston, S.D.

 

Registration

Registrations were due July 10. Participants can register by downloading the form at www.nebraskagrazinglands.org or contacting Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition Coordinator Marcy Hunter at (402)613-9144 or marcy@nebraskagrazinglands.org.