The Ohio State University Extension and the Ashtabula County Cattlemen's Association will hold their annual Fall Beef Twilight on Oct. 4 at Balzer's Phalanx Simmentals in Trumbull County.
The farm is located at 5422 Shanks-Phalanx Road, Newton Falls. Northeast Ohio beef producers will not want to miss the chance to tour this really nice Simmental cow operation.
Each year, the Cattlemen's Association picks a farm in northeast Ohio that has implemented some really neat management ideas. And this year is no exception.
Balzer's Phalanx Simmentals has been in operation since 1971. Jim and Nanette Balzer and their dog Rascal raise 21 Simmental Brood cows and manage 80 acres of hay and pasture ground. The majority of their cattle are artificially bred to calve in the fall with the rest calving in January. Heifers, bulls and steers are sold throughout northeast Ohio.
During the tour, participants will learn a variety of management tips to take back to their operation. While on a walking tour, participants will learn about the Balzers' managed grazing system and see first hand how the farm is utilizing forage turnips and stockpiling fescue to extend the fall and early winter grazing season. The planting of the turnips is especially smart this year as hay and pastures are in short supply.
Over the years, the barn and lot areas have been upgraded and made user friendly. See how a system of gates, pens and self locking head locks have made working cattle a one-person, stress free job. Participants will also see an innovative 20 cow catch wagon built by Jim to catch cattle in pastures.
The Balzers are good stewards of the land. In pastures where pond water is used, they have built a gravity flow system that puts water in stock tanks keeping the cattle out of the pond and other environmentally sensitive areas. See how pallets are used in hay storage to reduce waste.
The Balzers were selected as 1993 Trumbull County Beef Producers of the Year and the 2011 Outstanding Cattle Producer for the Columbiana-Mahoning-Trumbull County Cattlemen's Association.
The Balzers show annually at the Ashtabula, Trumbull and Canfield fairs. The farm has won the Herdsman Award at the Ashtabula County Fair for the past 14 years.
And as tradition, an all-beef hamburger and hotdog meal prepared by Cherry Valley Processing will be served compliments of the Ashtabula County Cattlemen's Association at the conclusion of the program. This meal has become a tradition of the OSU Extension fall twilight tours.
All beef producers are invited to attend. No reservations are needed and this tour will be held rain or shine. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this outstanding operation. A complete program flyer and additional information can be obtained by accessing the Ashtabula County Extension web site at ashtabula.osu.edu or by calling the Ashtabula County Extension office at 440-576-9008.
David Marrison is associate professor and extension educator, agriculture and natural resources, Ohio State University Extension for Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties. He can be reached at 440-576-9008 or marrison.2@
osu.edu