The field day will feature a series of hands-on demonstrations focused on improving resilience in forage and livestock systems under increasing weather variability. Participants will explore how diverse cropping systems, including perennials and legumes, influence soil structure, root development, and water movement. Through interactive rhizobox demonstrations and guided soil pit discussions, attendees will examine how management practices shape belowground processes across pasture, hay, and annual cropping systems. Additional sessions will connect these soil and forage dynamics to livestock management, providing practical insight into building more resilient and productive systems.

Agenda 

8:30 AM - Welcome and Overview

9:00 - Weather Tools 

11:00 - Rhizobox Demos 

11:30 - Lunch an dLearn

12:30 PM  - Soil Pits and Field Discussion

2:00 - Animal Management 

3:00 - Wrap-up 

Registration 

Cost is $20/person and space is limited. 

Register for field day 

Questions? Contact: Shelby Gruss, sgruss@iastate.edu, 515-294-3832.