NEERA1000: Northeast Pasture Consortium
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NEERA1000: Northeast Pasture Consortium
Duration: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2011
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Forage-based livestock systems generate nearly two-thirds of the agricultural income in the states of the Northeastern U.S. Much of the agricultural land in the region is best suited for forage production because of soil, site, and climatic limitations. Sustainability of agriculture in the region depends on keeping forage-based livestock systems competitive and profitable while protecting the environment. Research has shown that grazing production systems require less fuel than those that depend heavily on machinery and pesticide inputs, drying crops, ventilating buildings, and the use of inorganic fertilizers. Because of the increasing costs relative to income associated with harvested forage-based systems, many livestock producers are using more pasture-based systems as a means of reducing expenses. Yet, the technological base of scientists and resource people to support sustainable forage-based livestock systems has decreased across the region. This necessitates coordination among the remaining researchers and educators, and collaboration with NRCS grazing specialists and livestock producers to identify, develop, and implement the technology that will increase the competitiveness and profitability of pasture-based systems in the region.
The Northeast research and extension directors approved the concept of developing a Northeast Pasture Research and Extension Consortium in July 1995. A Planning Committee was formed of researchers, educators, and livestock producers. Its recommendations regarding the Consortium's mission, objectives, long-term and short-term goals, membership, leadership structure, and oversight were approved by the directors in February 1996. Nominations for the Consortium membership were solicited from both the private sector (producers and agri-business suppliers) and the public sector (land-grant university research and extension directors, ARS, and NRCS) in July 1996; members were appointed in September 1996; and the Consortium held its first meeting in January 1997. Meetings have been held annually with the tenth meeting in February 2006. Attendance at the last 5 meetings has averaged 72 with about one-third each year from the private sector. The private-sector stakeholders are strongly supportive of continuing the Consortium.
The mission of the Consortium, as adopted by the membership, is to link livestock graziers and federal, state, land grant, and private research and extension groups into partnerships that will identify, develop, coordinate, and promote pasture research and extension leading to economically, socially, and environmentally sound and sustainable grazing-based livestock production systems for the Northeastern U.S. Emphasis is on dairy, beef, sheep, goat, and horse enterprises.
The following are pasture priority needs identified by Consortium stakeholders (producers, agri-business suppliers, and NGOs):
--Determine the management strategies and costs of transition or conversion from row crops to productive and sustainable grazing lands and soils.
--Quantify the economics of whole-farm systems including the effects of breed selection, livestock diversification, and grazing management on animal and pasture health and well-being.
--Evaluate new forage species and improved varieties under grazing management and different climatic and soil conditions with emphasis on extending the grazing season.
--Determine the environmental impacts and profitability of alternative supplemental feeding strategies for animals on high-protein pastures.
--Evaluate the production and management aspects of pasture-based animal products for their human health benefits.
--Evaluate the limiting factors and marketing opportunities in organic dairy and livestock pasture-based production systems.
Objectives
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To develop and evaluate decision-support information and tools that help producers make appropriate plant, animal, and business management decisions.
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To develop pasture-based production systems that support economically sustainable livestock production levels and meet environmental expectations.
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To upgrade and enhance the Consortium website, the Northeast Grazing Guide (
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To facilitate, review, and provide support letters for grant proposals on pasture-based research, extension, teaching, and technology transfer topics consistent with Consortium stakeholder priorities.
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To work directly with animal producers to determine and address their concerns and needs involving pasture forage production, animal nutrition and health, pasture and supplemental feed allocation, as well as pasture facilities, layout, and design.
Procedures and Activities
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Decision-support software is developed and released that can model a full range of pasture-based production systems. Available for use by resource people, such as NRCS grazing specialists, extension educators, and private consultants, to help producers make appropriate farm management decisions that increase their profitability.
- Collaboration with users provides better insight into what pasture-based information is required to improve the rate of adoption and make grazing more profitable for livestock producers. Improves the viability of the livestock industry in the Northeast Region.
- Grazing Guide website is kept current and informative. Increased viewership and dissemination of new pasture-based technology to those seeking the information. Results and recommendations are available to users in a timely manner.
- Grant proposals are based on priorities identified by users. New funds awarded for pasture-based research and education programs. Animal producers involved in proposals and the conduct of on-farm research and field demonstrations.
- Exchange of ideas and experiences with users is ongoing. Builds trust between the user community and public-sector providers. Assures relevance and accountability of programs supported by the investment of public and private funds.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
One of the primary objectives of the Consortium is to disseminate new and existing grazing technologies to producers and other users. The structure of the Consortium facilitates the linkage of users and providers of this information. NRCS grazing specialists, extension educators, and private consultants are key participants in the Consortium and in the transfer of grazing knowledge to users. NRCS encourages its agency grazing specialists in the Northeast Region to participate in the Consortium.
NRCS conservation programs provide opportunities to reduce risk and encourage the adoption of new technologies that have been researched by ARS and the academic community. More research results are needed by NRCS that can be applied in managed grazing systems to help farms become more profitable. This will help NRCS achieve its mission to apply conservation to America's grazing lands. The Conservation Security Program, administered by NRCS, provides funding to apply these new technologies.
Most of the grant proposals, supported by the Consortium to-date, have contained a strong educational component. It is clear from the discussions with producers over the last ten years that they support the need for continued research, but they want the results in a timely manner and packaged for both beginning and experienced graziers. The Consortium objectives also include the teaching of undergraduate and graduate students and development of curricula on pasture-based systems across the Region.
Consortium annual meetings bring together a diverse group of producers, researchers, technical providers, and regulating agencies. Through the exchange of perspectives and experiences, all participants are able to learn about and better understand the grazing opportunities and challenges in the Northeast Region.
Organization/Governance
The Consortium is lead by co-chairs, one each from the public and private sectors. In addition, the past co-chairs, the incoming co-chairs, and two members-at-large serve as the Executive Committee. The term of the co-chairs is one year. The incoming co-chairs assume leadership at the end of each annual meeting. The shared leadership between the public and private sectors is important to the success of the partnership. The Executive Committee handles the business of the Consortium between annual meetings and provides the continuity needed from year to year. Members of the Executive Committee are elected by the membership.