Practical Conservation

A new series of extension bulletins focused on native grass forage production is being produced here at UT’s Center for Native Grassland Management.  The first four are now available (see below).  Five others are planned with the first of those, Economic Implications of Growing Native Warm-Season Grasses for Forage in the Mid-South (SP731-E), becoming available in the next two months.

• Native Warm-Season Grasses for Mid-South Forage Production (SP731-A)
• Establishing Native Warm-Season Grasses for Livestock Forage in the Mid-South (SP731-B)
• Grazing Native Warm-Season Grasses in the Mid-South (SP731-C)
• Producing Hay from Native Warm-Season Grasses in the Mid-South (SP731-D)

You can access them here:  https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/Pages/animals.aspx.  Please feel free to share a syou have need or opportunity.

“A new study on the threatened grasshopper sparrow in New Jersey demonstrates that farmland conservation programs can potentially play an important role in reducing the extinction risk of grassland birds.”  From Conservation Maven.

Lee et al. (2009) examined the impact of fall and spring harvests on biomass yield in switchgrass and other potential bioenergy grasses.  There was little drop-off in biomass yield in spring harvests compared to fall for switchgrass, and big bluestem actually produced slightly more in spring.  This is great news for wildlife conservation.  Spring biomass harvests would preserve valuable winter cover for birds and other critters, and more closely mimic natural disturbance regimes.  And, still provide a profitable biofuel crop.  Now that’s what we mean by practical conservation

If expiring CRP is not re-enrolled, consider haying instead of other uses – better for erosion and wildlife than plowing and planting (from Plant Management Network).

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.