Dairy Operations That Benefit the Watershed

Brian Tallman views his job as a dairy owner as twofold: to run a viable business while protecting water quality and the overall health of the natural landscape. “Conservation sure doesn’t hurt your business, and it’s pretty easy.”

The River Meadow Dairy is nestled in a lush, forested valley along the Nehalem River’s North Fork. A number of native steelhead, Chinook and coho salmon—as well as elk, deer, wild turkey and a diversity of birds—make their home in this picturesque corner of northwest Oregon. Dairy owner-operator Brian Tallman truly sees that protecting this scenic and ecologically rich environment is his responsibility—and a big one.

Quite simply, Tallman recognizes his job as a dairy owner as twofold: to run a viable business while protecting water quality and the overall health of the natural landscape. His work is all the more significant since, in addition to operating the dairy full time, Tallman is legally blind.

He demonstrates this commitment as a member of the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council who actively helped institute water monitoring across the watershed. The effort eventually resulted in the stream’s removal from the state’s 303D list of impaired waters.

“We are just trying to do the right thing,” Tallman said.

This commitment to clean water extends to the way he manages the dairy cows, sheep and cattle on his 60-acre operation within the Lower Nehalem Watershed.

Since 1988, Tallman has actively applied a conservation plan, developed with NRCS assistance, for his farm. Over the years, he has enlisted NRCS technical and financial assistance including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to continually improve the stewardship of the land.

“NRCS has provided help in developing the right plan for our farm and also provided cost share money to help install the practices,” he said.

A key element of the conservation plan is fencing installed along the river for livestock exclusion. This keeps manure out of the stream, protects streamside plant life, and prevents streambank erosion that the livestock could cause. According to Tallman, the additional fencing was labor-intensive and does come with additional maintenance. However, he explained, “the places you’re fencing off are places you don’t want your animals going anyway.”

In addition, Tallman installed a liquid manure pump, a dry manure storage facility, and a manure accumulation area for dairy waste. “Our conservation projects have made things easier to manage, particularly by keeping the manure drier.”

These measures allow him to safely store and handle wastes and prevent them from becoming runoff pollutants in the river. They also give Tallman more control for precision application of nutrients on fields. He can now also use the dry, stored manure for compost.

“The practices we have installed have made it easier to run the place,” Tallman said. “The best thing we did was build the manure storage building. It allows us to get in, get things done, and get the manure spread the right way, especially in the wintertime.”

Along with doing his part to get the North Fork of the Nehalem River off the 303D list—and keep it there—Tallman also does what he can to make his property more wildlife friendly overall. In one effort, he sectioned off a portion of a field for wildlife habitat, resulting in an increase in the diversity of bird species.

Brian Tallman sums it up this way, “Conservation sure doesn’t hurt your business, and it’s pretty easy.”
 

###

NRCS—Helping people help the land.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people
conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.

< Back to Showcase...