Practical Conservation

A recent study from the UK suggests that cattle and sheep that graze on natural grasslands (vs. improved pastures) may be both tastier and healthier.  Links to the ESRC report HERE, news releases HERE and HERE.

Would tastier and healthier meat command a higher price at market?  This finding, if replicated, could be a powerful incentive for producers to incorporate more natural/native grass into grazing systems, which would likely benefit grassland birds and other wildlife.

Thanks to the Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog.

USDA Releases CRP for Grazing in Flood Regions — yes?

Grazing for Critical Feed Use due to high feed prices — not so fast!

US Judge Allows Haying and Grazing… — okay, now you can, but only if……

USDA FSA has a map of the Primary Nesting Season (PNS). PNS is the period of high nesting activity of grassland birds, and managed haying and grazing is prohibited during this time frame. Notice how much the dates and length of the PNS varies even among adjacent states.

The USDA just opened up > 24 million acres of CRP to help offset increased feed costs. Many wildlife concerns are directly addressed. “Eligible land may not be hayed or grazed until after the end of the primary nesting season. Also, some ….. land must be reserved for wildlife and …… must have a conservation plan. In many instances, the removal of some of the grass cover will increase the diversity of the stand and provide long-term benefits for wildlife. Further, the most environmentally-sensitive land …. will not be eligible.” {emphasis mine}. This has been met with mixed reviews, so I link some of them below:

“Opinions vary….” Brownfield Network.

“America’s Duck Factory to also serve as Beef Factory.” Ducks Unlimited.

“Beef groups oppose USDA Plan….” Cattle Network.

“Corn prices slip after USDA opens….” MarketWatch.

“Are we subsidizing forages?” AgWeb Blogs.

“Mixed feelings….” from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever at Eden Prairie News.

“CRP Release Rankles Hay Growers…” – from Hay & Forage Grower.

“Pros & Cons of USDA Releasing….“  – from Wallaces Farmer.

Terra has a a 3-part video – Bison Haze – about the current bison-cattle conflict near Yellowstone Nat’l Park. These online videos give even-handed treatment to the different interests (ranchers, tribes and conservationists) with a stake in the conflict. This should be a great discussion starter for my class next spring.