Cattle in the Wilds: A Grazing Operation in Potter County
Ayers Hill Farm
Wednesday, June 23
Coudersport, Potter County
10am – 4pm
$15 PASA members, $25 all others; lunch will be provided.
Come visit the oldest farm in the Potter County region. We’ll tour Ayers Hill Farm, owned by Lowell Ayers, kin to the original settlers of the farm. This area affords good grazing opportunity and we’ll see how Ayers Farm has put that to use. They graze a herd of around 160 head of Angus cattle on two farms totaling 600 acres, and with their late spring calving season, you can expect to see seventy or so calves on the ground. Jim Reed, in addition to his work with Northern Tier Growers, helps Mr Ayers manage the farm.
We’ll spend some time examining the farm and the grazing management, and will also talk about how to best manage resources. Part of the resource management plan at Ayers Hill involves running two herds at this point in time – one grass/foraged based, the other grained – as they continue to make selections that move their stock toward a more “grassy” type that will excel on grass/forage. The farm also cultivates some cash crops, organic potatoes among them. We’ll spend some time talking about risk management in both general terms and also specifically about crop insurance considerations.
This event will be held rain or shine. As with all Field Days, please come prepared for time spent outdoors. This event is sponsored in part by the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA).
