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: 01/01/2004 to 01/01/2005
- Date of Report: 02/23/2005
- Annual Meeting Dates: 01/07/2005 to 01/07/2005
Participants
[Minutes]
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
1. Don Snyder was to develop a web page for the committee but later was told that Utah State could not host such a web site. Paul Nyren is now developing the web site that will be located on the NDSU server.
2. Dr. Mark Brunson and Ms. Carrie Kennedy attended the meeting and Dr. Brunson gave an hour long talk on reasons and barriers to the adaptation of new technologies. Following Marks talk there was a lengthy discussion on the topic and what we can do to assist in the adaptation of change.
3. Dr. Roy Roth, Colorado State Univ.and Dr. Jimmie Richardson, North Dakota State Univ. Gave a presentation on Processes Based Management . The committee voted unanimously to write a letter of support for this multi-state research proposal.
4. Glenn Shewmaker has developed a draft Protocol for regional testing of grazing-related forage species. Since Glenn was unable to attend the meeting no further action was taken on this item.
Impacts
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- One operator from the Mackay area had been contemplating haying 86 acres of poorly irrigated ground. As a result of what he learned at the LRGA, he decided to graze the area instead. This resulted in an increased additional $600 in net profit over what had been anticipated from haying the land.
- Another operator, from the Salmon area, reported that he was unable to borrow funds to put up hay on his ranch in 2003. He decided to implement what he had learned at the LRGA. By stock piling feed as standing feed during the summer and rationing it out during the winter, he determined that it saved him $10,000 to $15,000 in 2003 and permitted him to stay in business and actually flourish. During 2004 he stockpiled forage again, and he may not have to feed any hay during the winter of 2004-05.