SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: WERA1002 : Managed Grazing Systems for the Intermountain West
- Period Covered: 10/01/2006 to 09/01/2007
- Date of Report: 09/18/2007
- Annual Meeting Dates: 07/20/2007 to 07/20/2007
Participants
[Minutes]
Accomplishments
Accomplishments 2006-07:
Objective #1
Committee members completed compiling information from their personal files on related to expertise and publications related to sustainable grazing management and have submitted and published on the projects web page.
Objective #2
-The committee developed and finalized a protocol for use of in evaluating grazing related forage species and varieties. The protocol has been published on the committees web page.
Colorado
-Work is underway with a study of living mulches utilizing Kura clover. Preliminary results indicate that this system can reduce runoff and erosion as well as can be grazed. Work needs to continue on how to properly suppress the clover during the crop production phase.
-Irrigation water is becoming more limited in eastern Colorado as urban areas increase. A grants was obtain and a project inicated to study limited irrigation practices in perennial and annual crop production, including pastures.
-An organic dairy in eastern Coloration is likely to fund a project to evaluate establishment and of perennial forage for using in organic pasture production. Planting of the trial is anticipated to begin in the August of 2007
Utah
-Tom Griggs worked on the Assessment of Dietary Energy Availability in Utah Forage Crops via Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy. The project looked at a wide range of forages to evaluate approaches to determining digestibility and energy density
Jennifer MacAdam began green house studies to screen C3 and C4 plants for root growth and density and determination of water and nitrogen uptake. Results of the greenhouse study will be used to develop large scale studies to evaluate the use of promising mixtures on livestock performance.
-RL Miller began a replicated field study to look at the impact of management intensive grazing practices on water infiltration bulk density and nutrient cycling and loss in grazed vs. mechanically harvested plots.
BL Waldron, et all is evaluating improved germplasm developed by ARS in research and large scale plots. Materials are being subjected to livestock grazing and evaluated on the basis of livestock performance and palatability. Results will be used in further germplasam development
Idaho
-Work was continued on collection of data in the west for development of reliable equations for the predication of herbage mass from pasture height, measured with pasture sticks, plate meters and visual appraisal.
-Work continued on development of a pasture monitoring guide and score sheet similar to the one used in Missouri to assist western irrigated pasture operators in evaluation the condition of their pastures and identifying practices that would lead to more productive and sustainable pastures.
North Dakota
-The Grazing Intensity Trial, begun in 1988 continues. This project has generated over 2000000 data entries and has created a valuable set of background data upon which other studies have built upon.
-CGREC is working w with NDSU animal scientists to evaluate winter swath grazing of several species of forages, which has the potential for lowering winter feeding cost for producers
-CGREC works with School of Natural Resources and NDSU to examining the effect of grazing practices on soil structure and hydrology.
Objective #3
Idaho
-The Lost Rivers Grazing Academy continues to be present twice a year at Salmon, ID. This 4-day, hands-on workshop recently won a national award from the national Association of County Agricultural Agents in the Search for Excellences. Poster presentations were made at the National GLCI meeting in St Louis and at ________________ in Ireland. The program is instructed by a combination of extension agents, specialist and private consults. Approximately 40 individuals per year attend the program.
-Glenn Shewmaker in cooperation extension specialists from Utah, Oregon and Washington developed syllabus and materials for an in-depth pasture workshop directed at professionals form extension, government, NRCS, conservation districts and industry. The workshop was presented in Prineville OR in May of 2007 and will be presented in September of 2007 at Salmon, ID.
North Dakota
-CGREC received a grant to provide one on one training to producers in ranch land monitoring .
-CGREC hosted a tour for the facility for University administrators.
Impacts
- Objective #1 - 2007 -the committee consolidated their various reference materials and posted them to the committee website
- Objective #2 - 2007 -the protocol for evaluation of grazing materials was completed and posted to the committee website
- Objective #3 - 2007 -the Lost River Grazing Academy has been presented to 60 operators and educational professionals during the last 3 years. Virtually all of the operators report that they have successfully implemented practices and principles that were covered in the Academy resulting in increased production and profitability. Several operators have reported significant improvement in their financial condition.
- Objective #3 - 2007 The WSARE funded intensive-grass workshop has been presented to approximately 100 extension, NRCS, soil conservation districts, and industry personnel who regularly consult with pasture operators.
- Objective #2 - 2006 - Discussion at the 2005 meeting by Dr. Jimmy Richardson and Dr. Roy Roth has led to the development of a research project at NDSUs Central Grasslands Res. Ext. Center led by Dr. Kevin Sedivec on rangeland management systems and their impact on soil hydrology and morphology.
- Objective #3 - 2006 " Following the 2004 meeting discussion on grazing protocols Jennifer McAdams and Tom Griggs has made presentations to nearly 400 producers. Of these some 60 to 80 individuals have implemented one or more improvements in pasture and grazing management.
- Objective #3 - 2006 - The Lost River Grazing Academy utilizing some information from the 2004 discussion has presented a 4-day, hands-on short course provides operators and interested agency personnel an introduction to the principles of management-intensive grazing of irrigated pastures.
- Objective #3 - 2006 -Utilizing information presented in 2005 by Dr. Mark Brunson and Ms. Carrie Kennedy on reasons and barriers to the adaptation of new technologies. A grant was developed and submitted to SARE for a rangeland Extension Specialist to work one-on-one with producers to set up rangeland monitoring on private land. This grant was funded for $92,000 in 2005.
- Objective #2 - 2005 North Dakota State University, Central Grasslands Research Extension Center received a SARE grant for a two year project to demonstrate Best Management Practices on a model farm, to work one-on-one with producers to establish rangeland monitoring programs on their ranches and work with the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative to incorporate rangeland monitoring in the producer mentoring program. This project will have extensive producer participation.
- Objective #3 - 2005 In the belief that the taxpayer are the stakeholders in the Land Grant system the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center has developed an annual report that is widely distributed across the region as an insert in several local news papers and in a trade paper the Western Livestock Reporter. Fourth Thousand copies of the report are distributed in this manner.
- Objective #3 - 2005 Participants in extension workshops, classes and consultations significantly changed their perspective and understanding of ecosystem principles leading to improved management of irrigated pastures. Improved understanding resulted in increased economic sustainability, through improved productivity, reduced purchased and fossil fuel inputs and reduced potential for undesirable impacts on land and water resources.
- Objective #3 - 2005 In Valley County, as a result of no-till planting demonstrations, the cooperator has selected an appropriate herbicide to suppress growth before no-till drilling, and now intends to do all of his future pasture and alfalfa planting with a no-till drill, reducing the use of fossil fuel and lowering the risk of significant erosion.
- Objective #3 - 2005 Pre- and post- testing at the Lost Rivers Grazing Academy (LRGA)indicates that all 36 participants increased their understanding of pasture ecosystems and management. All participants indicated that they had learned things at the LRGA that they intended to implement on their farm or ranch in the next 6 months. Several individuals who have attended the LRGA have reported greatly improved harvesting efficiency from implementing the principles that they learned.