Learn More About Beef Operations at Upcoming Tours

Beef cattle at the 2013 State Fair

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Northern New York Regional Livestock Team will present Beef Pasture Walks Aug. 4 in Rutland Center and Aug. 6 in Canton. 

The pasture walk programs will include discussion of establishing a feeder calf pool and grading feeder calves and a review of best practices for vaccination programs.

At 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Dave and Evelyn Hawthorne of Centerdale Farm, Route 126 and Community Drive, Rutland Center, near Watertown, will host a tour of their pastures. The operation has 65 cow/calf pairs of black Angus cattle on more than 75 acres of improved pasture. 

They worked with the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District to make fencing and water improvements. The farm also has excellent cattle handling facilities.

At 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6, Shawn and Mercy Spellacy, 275 County Route 29 southeast of Canton, will host a tour of their Devon and Hereford beef operation. They run 30 to 40 cows on some reclaimed forestland and also graze the animals in wooded areas. They have recently added a stream crossing and water lines to distant pastures. Their breeding program includes an Angus bull.

Registration is not required but appreciated.

For the Rutland Center walk, contact Dairy and Livestock Educator Ron Kuck, Cornell Cooperative Extension Jefferson County, 788-8450, rak76@cornell.edu

For the Canton walk, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension NNY Regional Livestock Team Leader Betsy Hodge, CCE St. Lawrence County, 379-9192, bmf9@cornell.edu