Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development

New York

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative

Visit the GLCI Home Page at www.glci.org

The sustainability of the small American farm is essential to the preservation of American and New York State agriculture. Nowhere is this need more evident than New York's dairy and livestock industry. Over the past three years the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service's Grazing Land Conservation Initiative (GLCI) has brought the potential for sustainability to the pastures of livestock producers in Western New York. Grazing Advocates hired by the Lake Plains RC&D with GLCI funds, have been able to reach hundreds of livestock producers to make them aware of the environmental and economic advantages of prescribed grazing. Over the past three years, the Grazing Advocates hired by the Lake Plains RC&D have helped local farmers develop 41 Grazing Plans covering approximately 3,000 acres. We have hosted or co-hosted 14 pasture walks and 4 Grazing Conferences. Attendance at these events has exceeding 450 people. We have also supported the development of pasture demonstration plantings. These sites have been used extensively by producers for field days and pasture walks. This years accomplishments included 50 new contacts, 71 Follow-up Contacts, 25 Grazing Plans prepared on 1,953 acres, 9 Pasture Walks, 1 Conference, and 1 Grazer Meeting. We want to recognize the hard work and dedication of our Grazing Advocates Brad Bentley, Larry Brown, Bill Henning and Art Hanson. We also want to thank Don Wild for all his efforts to help us implement this program and for providing the excellent technical support. Pictured is a Field Day Conference held at the Bentley Farm, in Orleans County (9-29-01).

Sponsors of the program included the Lake Plains RC&D, NRCS, the Western New York Cattlemen's Association and the Lake Plains Grazers. Martha Wright, Area Livestock Specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, was the featured speaker.

Johnson and Oak Orchard Creek Watershed Grazing Initiative - Another important outcome of the GLCI program has been the Johnson and Oak Orchard Creek Grazing Initiative. In the past few years we have seen more area farmers switch to intensive rotational grazing systems, however, we need more good examples to let people see how well adapted this farming system is to our region. To support the implementation of these grazing systems the Lake Plains RC&D in association with the Orleans County SWCD prepared a grant titled the Johnson and Oak Orchard Creek Grazing Initiative. This proposal was submitted to the New York State 2000 Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution and Abatement Program (Round VIII). Our proposal was approved June 22, 2001, in the amount of $108,000.000. The project will help to implement grazing plans developed under the GLCI program within these watersheds.

Advanced Grazing Seminars - On August 27, 2001 the Lake Plains RC&D entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the NRCS to provide support for the hosting of Advanced Grazing Seminars. The agreement provides the Council $2,640.00 to host or co-sponsor four programs over the next year.

This program is part of the National Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, to promote the use of grasslands farming through intensive use of pastures for raising livestock. Through our program more than 200 farmers have been contacted and 24 grazing plans have been developed in our area.

1999 New York Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative The Lake Plains RC&D entered into a contract with the NRCS to provide Grazing Land Advocates to make contacts with area farmers to promote grassland farming. In addition to providing two advocates the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D has sponsored three pasture-walks.

Eugene Bezon Family Farm 85 acres of well-managed pasture, Town of Elba, Genesee County (1999)
Topics included grazing management, fencing, laneways, water, nutrition, and minerals.
Demonstration of Agway’s Air-Blast Seeder at
Brad and Eric Bentley Farm, Town of Lyndonville, Orleans County (1999)

2000 New York Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative – The Lake Plains RC&D entered into a contract with the NRCS to provide Grazing Land Technicians/Advocates to make contacts with area farmers to promote grassland farming. The contact amount was for $20,625.00. This is the second year the Lake Plains RC&D Council provided this service to the local community. The contract covered eight counties in western New York. In addition to providing four Grazing Technicians/Advocates the Lake Plains RC&D has sponsored three pasture walks and a grazing conference.

Pasture Walk - Baskin Livestock Farm, Genesee County 9/07/00, This program was sponsored by the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Ontario Lake Plains RC&D, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Calving Ease. Thirty-seven people were in attendance.

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative - Pasture Walk - Baskin Livestock Farm, Genesee County 9/07/00

Pasture Walk - Brad and Eric Bentley Farm 9/28/00, Orleans County, Highlight of meeting was inspecting the September 99 demonstration planting of 10 varieties of grasses; also covered were management options, and grazing preference. 23 were people in attendance.

GLCI G.O.N.E. Grazing Conference -The Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development Council hosted a Grazing Conference March 14, 2000 at the Apple Grove Inn, Medina, New York. The Conference was well attended with approximately 35 local farmers in attendance. The topics presented included Economics of Grazing – Extending Your Profit Margin, Plant Animal Interactions, Animal Health on Pasture, Maximizing Fat and Protein Production on Pasture, and a Producer Panel Discussion. The speakers included Jim Grace (Cornell Cooperative Extension, Extension Educator), Darrell Emmick (Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Grassland Specialist), Ken Gumear (Veterinarian, Middleport New York), Karen Sullivan (NRCS Dairy Nutritionist), and Don Wild (NRCS Grazing Specialist). Special thanks to all the speakers, and as well as the Apple Grove Inn for providing the room for the meeting.