Cattle grazing winter cover crops in an irrigated crop field prior to cotton planting in Jackson County. Photo credit: Doug Mayo, UF/IFAS
On May 20, 2025, UF/IFAS Extension, Washington County will host a farm tour highlighting three operations in the county, which are currently utilizing some form of Integrated Crop Livestock Systems (ICLS). There has been much research showing the long-term benefits of these integrated systems. The tour will provide attendees an excellent opportunity to see the practical implementation of ICLS and to receive and share related ideas. Each of the three stops will feature a discussion of current practices and future opportunities for the operation. In addition to insights from the host producers, the discussions will include input from UF/IFAS forage, soil, and crop specialists. While all three stops feature ICLS, the details of each are very different. Stop 1 – Sewell Farms, will feature a non-irrigated site where UF/IFAS researchers have been doing a side-by-side comparison of soil characteristics associated with winter-fallow and grazed cover crop systems for several years. Stop 2 – Hayes Farms, will show a novel system where cattle are being fed the by-product of on-farm crop processing. Stop 3 – Braxton Farms, will focus on an irrigated site where ICLS has recently been implemented.
The event will begin at the Washington County Extension Office (1424 Jackson Ave. Chipley, FL) with coffee, donuts, welcome and instructions at 8 am. The tour will depart for the first stop at 8:30 sharp. Please be prepared to car-pool as much as possible to limit the number of vehicles in the tour caravan. The tour will consist of approximately 35 total miles of driving. The tour will conclude back at the Washington County Extension Office at 12:30 with lunch catered by Forrest’s Fine Foods, and more time for conversation.
There is no registration fee for this event. However, advanced registration is required for planning purposes.
Please use the link below to register before Tuesday, May 13th.
REGISTER HERE
All tour stops will be outdoors, in-the-field, please dress and plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Mauldin at the Washington County Extension Office (850-638-6180).
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