Rancher Sherril Wells (left) discusses his grazing management strategies with NRCS District Conservationist David Chain.

Grazing Management for Healthy Pastures, Animals

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) helps producers manage pastures to benefit soil, water, wildlife and the bottom line.

Sherril Wells used to start feeding hay to his livestock in August each year. Now, thanks to a rotational grazing system he put in place with assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the cattle and sheep are able to feed on his pastures’ standing grass until October.

Wells operates 88 acres of pasture and 40 acres of hay land on his Douglas County operation. In 2005, he worked with his local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to secure EQIP technical and financial assistance for planning and installation of measures to improve management of grazing on his land.

Through EQIP, Wells installed 4,413 feet of new fencing to further divide his four pastures into eight smaller units. To complete the system, he added 491 feet of pipeline and five troughs providing livestock water to each pasture. In addition, erosion control measures were installed in areas near the troughs that are heavily used by livestock.

Together these measures provide Wells with the ability to better control grazing and encourage livestock to use the land more evenly. This has resulted in healthier pastures and well-fed livestock. "It’s all about having the right amount of feed at the right time," Wells explains.

Having more robust grass stands in the pastures has kept the livestock in excellent condition and has improved overall soil and water quality on the operation.

"It improved conditions for livestock and for wildlife," said Wells. "There’s no question this was right."  As an added benefit, Wells is now able to sell more of the hay he produces as his animals graze longer.

"I’m proud of the project," Wells said. "It’s really money in the bank for me."

"I tell my neighbors they need to come take a look at my place," he said, "and then go talk to NRCS."
 

April 21, 2008

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