Finger Lakes Grazing Advocacy Program

Project Overview

LNE02-170
Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2002: $128,910.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Matching Federal Funds: $41,543.00
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $238,574.00
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Richard Winnett
Email
USDA NRCS

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Animals: bovine, goats, sheep
  • Animal Products: dairy

Practices

  • Animal Production: pasture fertility, pasture renovation, grazing - rotational, watering systems
  • Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, networking, technical assistance
  • Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

    Proposal abstract:

    The primary purpose of the Finger Lakes Grazing Advocacy Program is to initiate a pilot grazing advocacy project by contracting with consultants knowledgeable in the principles of prescribed grazing and conservation planning. Presently local, state and federal conservation/environmental programs are continually experiencing decreases in their respective budgets. Therefore, these agencies/organizations have limited ability to provide technical assistance to the livestock industry and more specifically grazing farms. Under the direction of the Finger Lakes RC&D Council,Inc. a regional non-profit 501C.3 organization, the Finger Lakes Grazing Advocacy Program allows for the more efficient use of local, state, federal, and private services resulting in the development of grazing plans and the installation of Best Management Plans associated with prescribed grazing. Regional representatives of Cornell Cooperative Extension in collaboration with the private consultants and other agency personnel have been able to conduct seminars, pasture walks, and field days that have emphasized prescribed grazing.

    Performance targets from proposal:

    1. make 125 contacts with new graziers coordinate a minimum of 30 pasture walks with an average of 15 attendees for a total of 450 participants conduct 9 grazing seminars/workshops with an average of 35 people for an attendance of 315 participants make 200 farm follow up visits prepare 45 grazing plans with an average of 65 acres of pasture/plan totaling 2925 acres install BMPs on a minimum of 10 farms with grazing plans take 50-60 forage samples over two growing seasons prepare 24 articles on grazing, dairy nutrition and management for submission to the local media and Country Folks establish one in the field demonstration plot with side by side comparisons of management techniques per year establish and maintain a database of landowners in the Finger Lakes Region that are interested in grazing.
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.