National Grazing Lands Coalition

2016 National Grazing Lands Coalition Year End Report Celebrating 25 years of promoting sustainable grazing lands

ii

STRATEGIC PLAN Vision – “Sustainable grazing lands providing a healthy environment.” Mission – “Support voluntary ecologically and economically sound management of all grazing lands for their adaptive uses and multiple benefits to the environment and society through science based technical assistance, research and education.” More Information:

www.grazinglands.org National GLC Chair Chad Ellis 2510 Sam Noble Parkway Ardmore OK, 73401 PHONE – 580-224-6452 [email protected] National GLC Executive Director Monti Golla 8992 White Creek Road College Station, TX 77845 PHONE – 979-777-9779 [email protected]

Challenge – Grazing Lands are one of America’s greatest Natural Resource: providing the nation a secure food supply, renewable energy, improved water quality and availability, producing plants that deliver carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat and serve as the foundation for America’s Farming and Ranching families. Renewed investments are needed to ensure America’s Grazing Lands continues to supply the nation with these valuable benefits. We must reverse the decline in support for expert technical assistance, grazing lands research and education. This focus will supply the competitive opportunities that lead to decreasing conversion of grazing lands to other uses by providing farmers and ranchers the tools needed to remain economically competitive. Economic and ecological sustainability of our Nation’s grazing lands and those that manage them, is dependent on the availability, delivery and application of sciencebased information. Goals: 1. Increase availability of qualified individuals (professional consultants) supporting grazing lands management from federal, state, local, and private sources. 2. Increase Research and Education opportunities to provide science based information to enhance our Nation’s grazing lands though improved management. 3. Increase Public understanding of the importance of grazing lands to our Nation. 4. Increase and strengthen the partnerships and financial foundation for the NatGLC, specifically focusing on ways to improve on-ground support for graziers. NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Table of Contents

“Almost invariably, conservation farming— which, after all, is common sense farming with scientific methods—begins to show results the very first years it is applied.” –Hugh Hammond Bennet, Soil Erosion A National Menace. U.S. Department of Agriculture Circular No. 33., Washington, DC, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1928

iii

Strategic Plan................................................................. ii Our Vision and Mission Goals........................................iI Out on the Land – South Dakota/South Carolina..........1 Taylor Land Conservation Department – Demonstrating The Connection Between Soil Health And Grazing In North Central Wisconsin...............................................3 Mesa Conservation District – Soil Health Workshop 101...............................................................5

••••• “Conservation means development as much as it does protection. I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.” –Theodore Roosevelt, Environmental Activist, Warrior, Governor, Military Leader, U.S. President (1858–1919)

•••••

Univ of Calif. Cooperative Extension... 4H Youth Pasture Demonstration, From Healthy, Productive Soils to Pasture Raised Lambs.................................................................7 River Country RC&D......... Graze Wisconsin, Graze River Country..........................................................................9 OnPasture.com – Advancing Soil Health and Sustainability OnPasture.............................................. 11 Texas Grazing Lands Coalition – Making Cents of the Science: A Workshop Series For Healthy Soils ............13 Medicine Bow Conservation District – Understanding the Dynamics of Agriculture’s Interface with Wildlife and the Importance of Soils Health Winter Workshop..............15

“There must be some force behind conservation... ...I can see only one such force: a respect for land as an organism... ... out of a sensse of love for and obligation to this great biota we call America.” –Aldo Leopold, 1944

Scioto Soil & Water Conservation District .Southern Ohio Soil Health Initiative....................................................17 2015 6th National Conference on Grazing Lands........19 Rainfall Simulator - CIG................................................21 Media..........................................................................23 History of NatGLC........................................................24

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Out On The Land

Special Episodes in South Dakota and South Carolina Dr. Larry Butler is your host for OUT ON THE LAND.

Larry believes farmers, ranchers, and other landowners want to hear about other landowners’ conservation successes from those that have done it. “Over the years, I learned more from observing what landowners did on their lands than I did from any other source, Butler says. When I was a very young rangeland management specialist, a woman who ranched on a really rough piece of country along the Devil’s River in Val Verde County, Texas, asked me what my job was. I proceeded to give her the official job description lingo.” ​ She interrupted and said, “No, let me tell you what it is. Your job is to learn all our (ranchers) secrets and spread them all over the county without telling anyone whose secrets you are spreading. Go to the neighbor’s ranch ​and find out what is working and then tell all the ranchers what you saw that worked right here in this county but don’t tell us who is doing it. We are an independent lot and we don’t talk to each other about our private ranch management decisions, but we will tell you.” All objectives were met through broadcast of episodes of OUT ON THE LAND. The two episodes were about pastureland management in South Carolina and rangeland management in South Dakota. Both episodes included the importance of soil health and sustainability. The episodes and DVDs provided media for use by conservation partners, NRCS, and NatGLC in education and enhancement of technical capabilities and to improve the understanding of the values and multiple services provided by properly managed grazing lands. The episodes are available for viewing on the OUT ON THE LAND web site.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

1

Out On The Land

Special Episodes in South Dakota and South Carolina Dr. Larry Butler is your host for OUT ON THE LAND

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

2

Taylor Land Conservation Department

3

Demonstrating the Connection between Soil Health and Grazing in North Central Wisconsin Project Coordinator: Karyn Eckert (for Lanice Szomi)

Objective 1: Increase the grazing knowledge of at least 100 producers in Price & Taylor Counties. This project facilitated the North Central Graziers 2016 Grazing Conference as well as two on-farm demonstrations/ pasture walks to showcase how managed grazing can improve soil health. Conference sessions included grazing cover crops, impacts of cover crops on the environment and wildlife, nutrient management in a grazing system, choosing cover crops and using cover crops to protect the soil. A beef- and no-till-focused pasture walk was held in July with speakers on rotationally grazing beef, calibrating nutrient application, no-till cropping and soil health demonstrations. A dairy-focused pasture walk was held in August that showcased a high-producing dairy herd that has converted row-crop fields into notill-planted, fertile pastures with new lanes, fencing and water system. Evaluations by participants in all three events showed measurable growth in knowledge of soil health and the benefits of grazing. Objective 2: Highlight the economic benefits of Managed Grazing through outreach to producers, the business community and general public. Invitations to the events were mailed to representatives of local agribusinesses and financial instituations. Participants did include loan officers, agronomists and animal nutritionists in the local area. A reporter from a dairy newspaper covering Wisconsin and Minnesota attended the August pasture walk and the media coverage will help spread the messages presented at the walk to other farmers and agribusiness professionals who were not able to attend.

Objective 3: Showcase the social aspects of Managed Grazing. Host farms for our pasture walks included a beef and crop farm operated by a farmer who works full-time in another career, and a couple who recently transitioned their dairy farm to managed grazing but have been able to maintain high production with a focus on forage quality, soil health and fertility. Participation in the conference and walks included a mix of males and females, from children and Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship students to farmers who have continued managing grazing lands into retirement. Farms of all sizes were represented. The conference drew participants from 13 Wisconsin counties, and we had one attendee from Michigan and one from Minnesota. Pasture walks drew a wide range, from neighboring farmers to those who came several hours away.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Taylor Land Conservation Department

Demonstrating the Connection between Soil Health and Grazing in North Central Wisconsin (cont.) “Seminars like this; surprise me – all info is good to process; soil health; pasture/paddock design, water pipelines; during the week day.” –Jerry Olson, Participant Comment

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

4

Mesa Conservation District

5

Soil Health Workshop 101 – “A Healthy Soil Is a Wealthy Soil” Project Coordinator: Karen Hays The workshop presented essential information on soil health and best management practices to local agricultural producers to help them address soil in their irrigated row crops, pastures, orchards, vineyards, vegetable fields and specialty crops. It educated primarily ranchers and farmers who directly work the land. The workshop helped establish local, state and federal conservation partnerships, leadership and outreach, a goal of the Mesa Conservation District. This project also improved an understanding of the value and service of grazing lands and how to maintain quality soil on pasture land. The workshop also provided an opportunity for local participants to network with other fellow producers/ranchers already participating in soil health activities. The educational nature of the workshop encouraged producers to engage in new soil health practices and hopefully fostered stewardship and furthered the sustainability of natural resources through the application of soil health principles. Through a variety of presentations, staff presented the Five Principles of Soil Health: 1. Keep a living root in the soil for as long as possible; 2. Diversify crop types; 3. Limit disturbance; 4. Keep the soil covered; and 5. Incorporate livestock grazing into the crop rotation.

Soil Health Workshop – Mesa County Fairgrounds, Community Building Workshop Discussing: • Soil, soil health, and why it is important. • Local producer insights on improving your soil health to increase yields, reduce inputs, and improve profits. * How to get the most of your soil by managing for soil health. • How permanent vegetative cover improves soils and reduces soil losses. • Pasture and crop establishment and management techniques to promote healthy productive lands for the future. * Utilizing livestock in your operation to improve soils and recycle nutrients.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Mesa Conservation District

Soil Health Workshop 101 – “A Healthy Soil Is a Wealthy Soil” (cont.) Workshop Attendees Landowners/Ranchers Natural Resource Professionals/Agency Employees Professionals - CSU Extension, NRCS and Colorado Department of Agriculture. Total

Number 90 2 6 98

“Thanks for the workshop – it was informative.” “Obviously there is a high degree of community interest. An on-going program of educational community programs, more rather than less!” –Soil Health Workshop. Participant Comments NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

6

Univ. of California Cooperative Extension

7

A 4-H Demonstration Project “From HealthyProductive Soils to PastureRaised Lamb Project Coordinator: Sheila Barry, University of California Cooperative Extension, Santa Clara County

Objectives: • Demonstration of how improved soil health affects grazing lands sustainability. During the grant period we established a 4-H youth pasture in a new park in the City of San Jose, California. Pasture establishment included planting a forage crop and installing a livestock watering system. 4-H youth with adult volunteers managed the pasture. Fifteen lambs and three ewes rotationally grazed the 8-acre demonstration pasture from midMarch to mid-June. • Establishment of conservation partnerships, leadership and outreach. This project required collaborative efforts, and established new and strengthened existing conservation partnerships between the following: • The local Resource Conservation District • UC Cooperative Extension of Santa Clara County • 4-H members and volunteers • UC Master Gardeners • USDA NRCS • Santa Clara County Parks • A local Carbon Coalition • The local Open Space Authority • Jacob Farms and local ranchers. • The development of the 4-H pasture was a collaborative effort between 4-H members and volunteers, the local RCD, Jacob Farms, UC Cooperative Extension, County Parks and a local rancher. Cooperative Extension livestock and Farm Advisors and the Area Soil Conservationist from the USDA NRCS conducted the soil pit workshop.

• Enhancement of technical capabilities. 4-H youth, the public and grazing managers learned about managing a forage crop with rotational grazing and the importance of livestock water infrastructure development. They also learned about methods to evaluate soil health. Additional outreach and learning opportunities will be provided to the public, 4-H youth and volunteers and ranchers as a result of the establishment of this demonstration pasture. • Improvement in understanding the values and multiple services that grazing lands provide. This was the first 4-H youth grazing project in our area. We have a tremendous opportunity at this site to outreach to the public about the value of grazing management, the multiple ecosystem services provided by grazing land, and livestock production. During this project the public was able to see the effective establishment of a pasture, the results of managed grazing managing including the successful raising of pasture finished lambs.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Univ. of California Cooperative Extension

A 4-H Demonstration Project “From HealthyProductive Soils to PastureRaised Lamb (cont.)

Categorize Attendance by Ranchers/Landowners Rancher /landowner Agency/Resource Professional Public

3 2 3

l Pit Workshop - May 18 Rancher /landowner Agency/Resource Professional Public/Student

4 11 41

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

8

River County RC&D

Graze Wisconsin, Graze River County Project Coordinator: Mary C. Anderson

For the past 15 years, River Country RC&D has partnered with the Coulee Grazing Network, Chippewa Valley Grazing Network, St. Croix Valley Grazing Network, Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, County Land Conservation Departments, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Grass Works, Inc., Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers, Great Lakes Grazing Network, and the Wisconsin Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Coalition. River Country RC&D is dedicated to assisting farmers switch to Managed intensive Grazing (MiG) from a conventional system of farming in our 12 county area. Managed intensive Grazing (MiG) is the rotation of cattle within a pasture, allowing only a portion of that pasture to be grazed. This is accomplished through subdividing each pasture into smaller units called paddocks where livestock are rotated from one paddock to another. Each rotation allows for individual paddocks within a pasture to have a rest period, allowing for forage plants to renew energy, grow their root systems, and provide long-term root reserves for quality forage production. The intensity of rotational grazing can vary depending on a multitude of factors. Under a MiG system, the level of management is more intense, including more paddocks, shorter grazing periods, and long rest periods. Usually, under a MiG system, livestock production per acre increases.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

9

River County RC&D

Graze Wisconsin, Graze River County (cont.) In Wisconsin, MiG is growing tremendously. In 1993, 7% of dairy farmers used MIG, and in 2003 the percent rose to 23%, a 16% increase. (Tom Kriegl and Ruth McNair, Pastures of Plenty) Numerous benefits are associated with Managed intensive Grazing. These include sustainable land use that supports rural communities, lower production costs, financial benefits, reduced labor, clean air and water, improved herd health, wildlife habitat advantages, and healthier food for human consumption. It has been shown that graziers average about $200 more per cow net farm income than confinement dairy operations. Most graziers also suggest they have more time to spend with family and friends since moving livestock averages only 15 minutes.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

10

OnPasture.com

11

Advancing Soil Health & Sustainability OnPasture Project Coordinator: Rachel Gilker

Objectives: 1. We provided information to support, educate and promote soil health on pastureland, rangeland or silvopasture by publishing more than 108 articles, more than the proposed 90 articles. These articles provided readers with tools they need as they work to improve and protect these resources. 2. Articles published as part of this grant also educated graziers on sustainable grazing management techniques. Articles covered topics such as sustainable grazing management techniques and contributions grazing management can make to healthy management, soils and grazing operations. 3. This project also supported conservation partnerships, leadership and outreach. Some articles were written by NRCS or extension staff, and others focused on the leadership of farmers and ranchers in the realm of grazing management.

5. We helped improve the understanding of the values and multiple services that grazing lands provide with articles on ecosystem services provided by grazing lands, and how ranchers are working with other conservation partners to improve wildlife habitat while enhancing the sustainability of ranch operations.

4. This project excels in durability for future educational value. All articles are online and anyone can access them anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for as long as the web exists or On Pasture is online. Articles are searchable within the site and we work hard at our key words and headlines to ensure that they come up high on google and other search engine searches. Finally, we have been told by several educators that they use our articles in their classrooms as well.

“-I just wanted to take some time to say that I really enjoy your On Pasture Articles! They are fun and informative at the same time!....The topic of building soil through.” –Participant Comments NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

OnPasture.com

Advancing Soil Health & Sustainability OnPasture (cont.) “–Thanks for making On Pasture available. It has great info about making changes to grazing management that are highly beneficial.” “–Great article on the Sands. I came from SD working for the NRCS. While there I was able to see some families make some of the similar changes… Freedom, that’s the word that had been used from some. I’m now in AK trying to encourage the same simple changes. Keep up the good work.” “–I very much appreciate the informative and progressive information you provide to pasture farmers. Keep up the good work!” “-I write to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation you for the great job you are doing with On Pasture. It is so educative and informative. I enjoy reading it every week. Continue your good and brilliant work. You are in my prayers.” “–You have THE best info available! My wife and I raise grass fed(100%) beef,sheep and pasture chickens. I just found your FB page a couple of months ago and we really enjoy it.” –Participants Comments

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

12

Texas Grazing Lands Coalition

Making Sense of the Science – Workshop Series for Healthy Soils Project Coordinator: Jenny Pluhar

Each of the four field days highlighted different practices grazing land managers can use that directly impact soil health. The central idea behind the “Making Cents of the Science” theme was to engage producers/youth/ the audience by having not only scientists explain soil health impacts of various grazing land practices, but to have producers speak on how they are using the science in their own operations. It is our experience that landowners/producers often listen more closely and relate better to other landowner/producers relating real life experiences rather than solely listening to scientists. Soil health as impacted by grazing management and cover crops was the central theme of the first workshop. Various grazing practices impact the hydrologic cycle, not only on the site, but possibly for the larger watershed and aquifer. At all the workshops, these concepts were explained and relationships explored as they are impacted by grazing management, prescribed fire, cover crops, chemical and mechanical brush management. The youth workshop extended over several days, with soil health being the central theme throughout. In fact, we used a meme that stated “No Matter What the Question, the Answer is SOIL HEALTH!” I think we got the point across as the kids would yell “Soil Health!!” whenever a presenter asked “No matter the question, what is the answer? NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

13

Texas Grazing Lands Coalition

Making Sense of the Science – Workshop Series for Healthy Soils (cont.) The youth had the opportunity to watch the simulator and hear the scientist, Dr. Bob Knight of Texas A&M, a pioneer in the use of rainfall simulation demonstrations on grazing lands explain the science and the many years of research utilizing rainfall simulators, then NRCS GLC Grazing Specialists Matt Machacek and Jose Martinez and TXGLC State Coordinator explained how the concepts are important to maintaining a healthy ecosystem on grazing lands. Ms. Pluhar conducted some of the earliest research more than 25 years ago utilizing a rainfall simulator like the TXGLC model on grazing systems in central Texas. Then, later in the week, each youth was provided with a personal infiltration demonstration kit (partially paid for by this grant) and pound a ring into the ground, simulate a 1-inch rainfall event and time the infiltration rate. Instructions were included in the string style backpacks so the youth can utilize the kit at home with class groups or others. At the Roby, Texas workshop highlighting prescribed fire, again the scientists, Dr. Dale Rollins and Dr. Morgan Russell were followed by TXGLC Rolling Plains Chair, Mr. James Cave, talking about how he uses prescribed fire on his operation. Dr. Russell was able to feature the impacts of prescribed fire on soil health. The final workshop, held near Victoria, TX featured brush management, an ever present challenge in that area of the state. Again, the science was explained by Dr. Wayne Hanselka followed by on the ground demonstrations on the property of two Coastal Prairie GLC members, Stephen Diebel, Chair and Clay Neel, manager of the Vidauri Ranch, owned by the J. F. Welder heirs, and member of the Coastal Prairie GLC Board.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

14

Medicine Bow Conservation District

Understanding the Dynamics of Agriculture’s Interface with Wildlife and the Importance of Soils Health Winter Workshop Project Coordinator: Joan McGraw, District Manager, Medicine Bow Conservation District

The 5 objectives of this project were met through power point presentations and discussion regarding their best management practices. This was followed by a round table discussion. The second panel was made up of agancy professionals with representation from the OLM, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, NRCS, Forest Service and Conservation District. The panel also gave power point presentations and lectures followed by a round table discussion. Handouts and worksheets were included in the presentations.

Categorize Attendance by Ranchers/Landowners Rancher /landowner Agency/Resource Professional NRCS USFWS BLM Wyoming State Forestry Univ. Of Wyoming Extension Conservation District Nature Conservancy Wyoming Game & Fish Weed & Pest US Forest Service Farm Bureau

35 27 8 1 6 1 1 1 1 4 2 2 1

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

15

Medicine Bow Conservation District

Understanding the Dynamics of Agriculture’s Interface with Wildlife and the Importance of Soils Health Winter Workshop (cont.) “This year was the most successful workshop we have had...” “...I cannot think of any thing that can be done to enhance the success... –Understanding the Dynamics of Agriculture’s Interface Workshop. Participant Comments

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

16

Scioto Soil & Water Conservation District

17

Southern Ohio Soil Health Initiative Project Coordinator: Rob Hamilton

The Conservation Partnership in Southern Ohio has been working since 2012 to upgrade and enhance the servicing of livestock producers in underserved areas of Ohio. NRCS in Ohio entered into a cooperative agreement with the Division of Soil and Water to hire a team of retired NRCS employees to provide Grazing Mgt. planning and assistance to livestock producers and SWCDs in the Southern Ohio region. Through this effort there has been an emphasis to improve education and outreach through the development of new grazing schools and grazing related educational events throughout Ohio. These activities have raised both interest and awareness among livestock producers in managing grazing lands and improving soil health. The “Advancing Soil Health, Conservation and Outreach on Grazing Lands Grants” is perfectly situated to help the conservation partnership in Southern Ohio to further promote the benefits of soil health and conservation on grazing lands. Soilhealth, conservation,and nutrient management are all priorities in the state. Especially now with the outbreaks of harmful algal blooms in the Grand Lake St. Marys and Western Lake Erie Basin and even more recent (September 2015) harmful algal blooms have now been found in the Ohio River. The spread of harmful algal blooms (HAB) has caused the need for more education for better soil testing, nutrient management, and improved soil health. This year Ohio passed new legislation which limits the application of fertilizer, manure, and nutrients during the winter time in the Western Lake Erie Basin. With the recent HAB outbreak in the Ohio River it is likely that the emphasis on the management of nutrients will shift to the Ohio River Basin. Most of Ohio’s grazing operations are located within the Ohio River Basin. Managed grazing can reduce nutrient inputs and nutrient runoff through nutrient recycling. Managed grazing systems also improve soil health by allowing

rest periods and time for plants to recover between grazing intervals. Managed grazing is a key component to meeting Ohio’s water quality goals. The Objectives of the Grant: 1.) Encourages more and better soil testing as a basis for fertilization techniques on grazing lands, 2.) Publicizes the benefits of nutrient recycling and getting better distribution of nutrients across a grazing system, 3.) Publicizes the economic benefits of better utilization of manure nutrients in a good nutrient management system on Ohio grazing lands, 4.) Provides incentives to producers who participate, 5.) Collect and analyze 70 pasture forage samples on southern Ohio farms to demonstrate the value and benefits of stockpiling pastures for fall and winter grazing,and 6.) Collect and analyze 35 manure samples on southern Ohio. These objectives will resulted in better nutrient management on the grazing lands and provided specific localized information showing the benefits to grazing systems utilizing good nutrient management.

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Scioto Soil & Water Conservation District

18

Southern Ohio Soil Health Initiative (cont.) Our final objective was to provide incentives for producers who provide research data to the project. The largest incentive we were able to provide to these producers is for them to understand the differences of the results on their farm and what caused them and how they may be able to change management to improve their operation. This has the potential to be a huge incentive for the producers that participated in the grant and are willing to make changes to their operation. During the March workshops each producer was provided their manure, pasture and forage analysis and each presenter discussed the results of the data with the producers and recommended changes in management strategies to improve their operations. From the feedback we have received from those who participated found the information and knowledge shared very beneficial. Benefits/Results/Transferability: Benefits of this project were significant and far-reaching: 1.) The project emphasized HABs and water quality problems in Ohio and how well managed grazing systems are part of the solution to these challenges, 2.) The project offered the opportunity to quantify the benefits of grazing management and good nutrient management practices for livestock producers in Ohio, and 3.) The cooperative venture served to strengthen the Ohio Conservation Partnership as it addresses grazing issues in the future. Short Term: 1) Allowed the partners providing technical services to the producers to be able to customize its Grazing Management Plans (GMPs) to include a nutrient balance or budget in Grazing Management Plans. It improved the quality of the grazing schools offered to livestock producers in Ohio.

2)

Created a grazing lands study that partnering universities, agencies, and producer organizations can utilize to develop closer working relationships, to the betterment of Ohio livestock producers

3) Improved the quality of grazing schools and work shops by having results from local producers. Longer Term: 1.) Served to improve the fertility and forage and hay quality on the grazed areas of Southern Ohio. 2.)

Positively affected the amount and quality of the runoff leaving grazing lands in Southern Ohio, which ultimately affects the water quality in the streams and lakes below these grazing systems.

3.) Increased the number of producers who stockpile forage for the fall and winter months. NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

2015 NatGLC Conference

The National Grazing Lands Coalition hosted their 6th National Conference on Grazing Lands in Grapevine, Texas, December 13th – 16th, 2015. Over 600 people registered and attended this conference to learn more about good grazing management, soil health and being sustainable. The National Steering Committee met in February 2016 to discuss and agree to host the 7th National Conference on Grazing Lands. It will be held December 2 - 5, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. Please subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter to stay abreast of the latest NatGLC and Conference news! More than 600 grazing enthusiasts from across the country and representing diverse farm and ranch operations gathered Dec. 13-16 in Grapevine, Texas, for the 6th National Conference on Grazing Lands (6NCGL). The event featured a variety of speakers and poster sessions – many of them producers themselves, as well as a trade show with vendors representing everything from forage seed and fencing to farm/ranch organizations. Several state grazing land coalitions also had booths to share with others their activities and efforts. Opening the conference was a keynote address delivered by Texas Congressman K. Michael Conaway who is currently chairman of the House Ag Committee. Conaway shared comments related to the 2014 Farm Bill and the federal budget and provided an overview on current topics being addressed by the House Ag Committee, including a review of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, country-of-origin-labeling, and the biotech labeling issue. Conaway noted that the next Farm Bill won’t be put in place until 2018, but in preparation for that he said, “All of us have to help urban America understand the symbiotic relationship between a vibrant production agriculture and their pocketbook. We’ve got to help American consumers understand they pay less for their food than anywhere in the world. They benefit from production agriculture’s hard work, they just don’t know it.” NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

19

2015 NatGLC Conference

20

“We can’t have a strong vibrant America without the storehouse of values maintained in rural America – and strong production agriculture is key to a vibrant rural America.” – K. Michael Conaway, Texas Congressman

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Scioto Soil Rainfall & Water Simulator Conservation - CIG District

21

Utilizing Outreach and Grazing to Improve Conservation and Soil Health The National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) was awarded a three-year Conservation and Innovation Grant (CIG) with the USDA NRCS in September 2014 to conduct outreach/education/demonstration opportunities on how prescribed grazing impacts pasture and range productivity, conservation and soil health. The cornerstone of this project is the use and onfarm demonstration of rainfall simulators to facilitate technology transfer to producer-lead, community based organizations of underserved, limited resource and socially disadvantaged groups on a nationwide scope. Hands-on workshops on pastures and ecological sights held by our project partners in Texas, Louisiana, South Dakota, South Carolina and New York accompany these demonstrations to enhance assimilation and adoption of grazing land management practices. “Seeing is believing” it is said, and the use of these rainfall simulators allows participants to visually see and comprehend the potential for greater rainfall infiltration and lesser rainfall runoff on grazing lands with a high level of grazing management. The goal of this project is for producers to perceive themselves as grass farmers and not just livestock producers. The most successful producers look at themselves a step further, as something more than just a producer, but as soil managers.

TEXAS

An episode of Out on the Land on RFD TV featured one of our CIG partners, the Texas Grazing Lands Coalition. The episodes will air twice over the course of the season reaching an estimated audience of 1/2 million per week. This greatly surpasses the estimated 2,500-5,000 participants we anticipated over the three-year project period. Videos of Out on the Land can be viewed here: http://www.outontheland.com/season-8-episodes

NEW YORK

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ny/ soils/health/?cid=nrcseprd1293232 NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Scioto Soil Rainfall & Water Simulator Conservation - CIG District

22

Utilizing Outreach and Grazing to Improve Conservation and Soil Health (cont.) The South Dakota Grasslands Coalition has completed the following videos on soil health and the rainfall simulator: 1. The South Dakota Coalition have posted videos on the project to YouTube: a. Rainfall Simulator at the July 14, 2015, South Dakota Soil Health Field Day https://youtu.be/WjYG1ewl_1I b. (Rainfall Management on Monty & Bobbi William’s Ranch https://youtu.be/j4fgyzY8DbQ c. Rainfall Management on Doug Sieck’s Ranch https://youtu.be/xL9Ks4Yf0GU d. Soil Aggregate Stability on Doug Sieck’s Ranch https://youtu.be/6LUO6eDspeQ e. Holly & JP Heber Talk Healthy Soil on their South Dakota Farm https://youtu.be/uwkPuhOCHkc

SOUTH DAKOTA

SOUTH CAROLINA LOUISIANA LA SARE Baton Rouge Regional Farm Tour A farm tour sponsored by the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program (LA SARE PDP). The SARE program is a collaborative program by Southern University Agricultural Center and the LSU AgCenter to provide sustainable agriculture extension programming in Louisiana.

The South Carolina Forage & Grazing Lands Coalition. https://www.facebook.com/SCFGLC/

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Scioto Soil & Water Media Conservation District

23

Newsletter Read the latest edition of our Grazinglands Newsletter, or browse our archive. Interested in submitting content to our newsletter? Please contact us!

Hay & Forage Grower 2.0 Hay & Forage Grower magazine and the eHay Weekly digital newsletter; long-trusted information resources, relaunched in June with a new publisher, the W.D. Hoard & Sons Company in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Learn more at Hay and Forage.

Processor & V-Windbreaks Learn about this couple's strategies for soil, range and livestock health. Real-World Mangement, Transition Ideas Opportunities can be created through communication and planning.

Consider Contract Grazing By Tamara Scully, Progressive Forage Grower Contract grazing might be the norm in the western U.S. But in the Northeast, it is an innovative, fledgling concept. While there are contract-grazing operations, some of which have been operating for decades, this business model is not commonplace in the region, and those entering into contracts to graze livestock are often on their own to fail or succeed without much input or guidance. Burgeoning support for the contract-grazing industry in the Northeast has come from what may be a surprising source: the craft butchery, farm-direct, grass-fed beef purveyor. With much of the nation’s population and a good portion of its wealth centered in urban areas along the Eastern seaboard, local meat is big business. Consumers want to know where their meat was raised, how it was raised, and they want it to be from local, small farm producers who raise the meat on pasture. As an example, Ryan Fibiger, head butcher and chief executive officer of Fleisher’s Craft Butchery, brings local farm-to-table meat to the East Coast consumer. He’s looking for consistency of product, quantity and tenderness, and says, “If we had more product, we could sell it. We can’t find enough product to sell. Fleisher’s Craft Butchery is looking to purchase livestock to be contract grazed on small farms where “honesty and transparency” in the food chain are a given value. Similarly, Meg Grzeskiewicz is the custom grazing coordinator for Chaljeri Meats, a grass-fed meat producer and purveyor. In this role, she is responsible for finding graziers to raise livestock for the company. She seeks out graziers both for cow-calf pairs and for stockers. They are moving toward year-round production for both groups, she says, and looking at innovative feeds such as fodder for winter feeding. They are looking for graziers who understand the pasture ecosystem and soil ecology, and know how to utilize livestock to improve soils while using pasture forages to add gain to their cattle. Read more about this concept at Progressive Forage.

Hay & Forage Grower 2.0

When Should You Destock?

When plants are overgrazed, they are constantly required to draw from carbohydrate

Hay & Forage Grower magazine and the eHay Weekly digital newsletter; long-trusted information resources, relaunched in June with a new publisher, the W.D. Hoard & Sons Company in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Learn more at Hay and Forage.

Processor & V-Windbreaks Learn about this couple's strategies for soil, range and livestock health. Real-World Mangement, Transition Ideas Opportunities can be created through communication and planning.

Consider Contract Grazing By Tamara Scully, Progressive Forage Grower Contract grazing might be the norm in the western U.S. But in the Northeast, it is an innovative, fledgling concept. While there are contract-grazing operations, some of which have been operating for decades, this business model is not commonplace in the region, and those entering into contracts to graze livestock are often on their own to fail or succeed without much input or guidance. Burgeoning support for the contract-grazing industry in the Northeast has come from what may be a surprising source: the craft butchery, farm-direct, grass-fed beef purveyor. With much of the nation’s population and a good portion of its wealth centered in urban areas along the Eastern seaboard, local meat is big business. Consumers want to know where their meat was raised, how it was raised, and they want it to be from local, small farm producers who raise the meat on pasture. As an example, Ryan Fibiger, head butcher and chief executive officer of Fleisher’s Craft Butchery, brings local farm-to-table meat to the East Coast consumer. He’s looking for consistency of product, quantity and tenderness, and says, “If we had more product, we could sell it. We can’t find enough product to sell. Fleisher’s Craft Butchery is looking to purchase livestock to be contract grazed on small farms where “honesty and transparency” in the food chain are a given value. Similarly, Meg Grzeskiewicz is the custom grazing coordinator for Chaljeri Meats, a grass-fed meat producer and purveyor. In this role, she is responsible for finding graziers to raise livestock for the company. She seeks out graziers both for cow-calf pairs and for stockers. They are moving toward year-round production for both groups, she says, and looking at innovative feeds such as fodder for winter feeding. They are looking for graziers who understand the pasture ecosystem and soil ecology, and know how to utilize livestock to improve soils while using pasture forages to add gain to their cattle. Read more about this concept at Progressive Forage.

When Should You Destock?

When plants are overgrazed, they are constantly required to draw from carbohydrate

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

Scioto SoilHistory & Water of Conservation the NatGLC District

Once called the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative or GLCI, the National Grazing Lands Coalition is a nationwide consortium of individuals and organizations working together to maintain and improve the management and the health of the Nation’s grazing lands, mostly private but also public. The Coalition is driven by agricultural producers, conservation, scientific, watershed, erosion control, and other environmental organizations for the benefit of America’s grazing lands resource. The NatGLC seeks to carry out its activities through local, state and national partnerships. It informs the public of the contributions well-managed grazing lands make to the quality of life of every citizen. The NatGLC is founded on the principles of voluntary action by those who own and manage grazing lands, and a respect for private property rights. The NatGLC emphasizes high quality, voluntary technical assistance, expanded grazing lands research and education, and a more knowledgeable and informed public. The National Grazing Lands Coalition is led by a National Board of Directors dedicated to America’s grazing lands resource and its sustainability. The NatGLC Board of Directors strongly encourages and works to help establish local, state, and regional partnerships to foster grazing lands conservation and stewardship. The NatGLC is made up of individuals representing the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC), American Sheep Industry (ASI), American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Society for Range Management (SRM), the Dairy Industry, the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), the National Farmers Union (NFU), and the Samuel Robert’s Noble Foundation. In addition, they are supported by private organizations, the USDA, DOI, and federal agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research, Extension, and Education Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, American Society of Agronomy, Extension

24

Committee on Policy, and the Experiment Station Committee on Policy. The NatGLC was established at a meeting in Bozeman, Montana in June 1991. The meeting was called by representatives of state and national agricultural, conservation, wildlife, and scientific organizations. The organizations were concerned about the declining level of technical assistance being provided by SCS/NRCS to owners and managers of particularly non-federal grazing lands. Organizers of the meeting believed that SCS/NRCS resources had been diverted from grazing lands to conservation compliance and other programs established in the 1985 farm bill. Twenty-two states were represented at the meeting. At this organizational meeting, six national organizations agreed to sponsor the GLCI/NatGLC. They were AFBF, AFGC, ASI, NACD, NCBA, and SRM. Organizations that support the NatGLC appoint members to the National Board of Directors. These individuals are respected leaders, and producers, within those organizations.

From the NatGLC Chair Chad Ellis

Many times we hear the word “Dedication” and find it synonymous with words like devotion, commitment, and loyalty. In the circles of conservation and rangeland management no person has been more dedicated to the cause than John L. “Chip” Merrill of Crowley, Texas. Mr. Merrill operated the XXX Ranch in Tarrant County for many years, which has been used to teach and demonstrate sustainable and profitable ranching to thousands of landowners and students. He was the director of the Texas Christian University (TCU) Ranch Management Program for 33 years, which provided the education and inspiration to lead hundreds of young men and women into successful ranching and private land stewardship. Mr. Merrill has served and provided leadership in the ranching industry for five decades. He has served as a

NatGLC 2016 Year End Report

National Grazing Lands Coalition From the NatGLC Chair (cont.) director and member of the executive committee of the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and is a past Director of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Past President of the International Society of Rangeland Management. Mr. Merrill received the Golden Spur Award from the National Ranching Heritage Center. Mr. Merrill has been the consummate leader with respect to promoting the stewardship and sustainability of our country’s natural resources. He is the founding member of the National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC), established to improve grazing management while maintaining property rights and personal stewardship. Mr. Merrill’s accomplishments forged a path for countless land stewards, ranchers and natural resource managers to continue his conservation stewardship legacy. As the National Grazing Lands Coalition turns 25 years old this year, it becomes a time to reflect on the accomplishments and celebrate the successes. Where would be we without Chip’s leadership? I know for sure we wouldn’t be standing where we are today. I want to thank Mr. Merrill on behalf of the NatGLC for his decades of encouragement, motivation and inspiration. Due to his insight, wisdom and zeal for good stewardship we continue to “support voluntary ecologically sound management of all grazing lands for their adaptive uses and multiple benefits to the environment and society through science based technical assistance, research and education.”

–John L. “Chip” Merrill

Crowley, Texas. Operated the XXX Ranch in Tarrant County, Texas

Funding for these projects and publication supported through an NRCS Contribution Agreement.

September 2016

Our Mission Support voluntary ecologically and economically sound management of all grazing lands for their adapted uses and multiple benefits to the environment and society through science based technical assisting, research and education. Member Organizations American Farm Bureau Federation American Forage and Glassland Council American Sheep Industry Dairy Industry National Association of Conservation Districts National Cattlemen’s Beef Association National Farmers Union Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Society for Range Management Soil and Water Conservation Society

For More Information: www.grazinglands.org