NICC to Host 'Beyond the Fence' Soil Health Field Day

Decorah Vikings win, City Council votes, New Referenda on the ballot — we're the one telling Decorah's story. Donate now. Northeast Iowa Community College, in partnership with the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation and the Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, will host "Beyond the Fence: Grazing, Virtual Fence and Fertilizer Reduction" on Tuesday, March 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the NICC Calmar ca.m.pus. A second session will be held Wednesday, March 4, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the NICC Peosta ca.m.pus. The free field day highlights more than a decade of innovation by the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation. Under the leadership of NICC agriculture instructor and foundation chair David Lawstuen, the organization began adopting no-till and cover crop practices in 2014. Those efforts led to the foundation being na.m.ed Innovator of the Year at the 2026 National No-Till Conference. The event will address rising input costs by showcasing grazing innovations and practical strategies for reducing fertilizer use. Local and national industry experts will discuss eliminating unnecessary fertilizer applications and maximizing corn yields through biological farming techniques and virtual fencing. "The issue for producers with all the new technology available is determining if it fits their progra.m. and is cost-effective," said Brodie Bushman, NICC farm manager. "At the end of the day, the producer has to merge sustainability, technology advances and production with the bottom line in mind." The keynote speaker is Greg Halich, forage systems economist at the University of Kentucky. Halich specializes in biological farming techniques that reduce or eliminate the need for commercial fertilizer, as well as bale grazing and extended-season grazing systems. The schedule includes: 8 a.m.: Registration with coffee and Pedretti's Bakery donuts 8:30 a.m. - 8:35 a.m.: Welcome 8:35 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.: "Grazing Myths that Reduce Profitability" by Greg Halich 9:05 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.: NICC Farm Manager Update by Brodie Bushman 9:25 a.m. - 10:25 a.m.: "Bale Grazing" by Greg Halich 10:25 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: "Virtual Fence" by Jacob Hawes and Tim Harbaugh 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Working lunch featuring virtual fence demonstrations 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: "Conservation in Northeast Iowa" featuring local producers Calmar location: Jewell Fa.m.ily and Ross Evelsizer Peosta location: Zach Timm and Ross Evelsizer 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.: "Maximize Corn Yields with Minimal Inputs" by Tyler Boeckmann 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.: "Reducing/Eliminating Fertilizer Use on the Farm" by Greg Halich 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Foundation Annual Meeting (Calmar location only) Registration begins at 8 a.m. with refreshments. While the event is free, attendees are asked to RSVP by visiting iowadairycenter.com, emailing elsberndmel@nicc.edu or calling 563.562.3263, ext. 1332. For more information, visit iowadairycenter.com/tours-events/field-day.php. Be the first to know! Sign up for the free newsletter and unlock exclusive updates, breaking news, and tips from around the community.