Grazing Assistance Available To Farmers Through NRCS

Jana Malot, Pennsylvania Natural Resources Conservation Service's Grassland Specialist, this week reminded farmers that NRCS is continuing to promote grazing systems through their Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help them improve their overall farming operation.

 

"With feed and fuel prices on the rise, more and more farmers are considering grazing for their livestock operations," said Malot. Farmers like Forrest Stricker of Wernersville, Pennsylvania have gained immense benefits from switching to grazing and letting their cows work for them.

 

Stricker, who has been farming since 1978, ran a strictly confined operation until he introduced grazing in 1993. Along with noting the cost benefits that he has reaped, he also says, "Before grazing, we worked long hours with little profit at the end of the year and farming was no longer enjoyable to me. Since becoming grazers, farming is fun again, our quality of life has improved, and we've seen more in profits."

 

According to Cliff Hawbaker, Chairman of Pennsylvania's Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Committee, "Grazing of livestock is the most cost effective, environmentally friendly, consistent form of agriculture. Animals harvesting their own forage, spreading their own manure, promoting healthy plant communities, and improving livestock health and longevity are just a few of the benefits of a well managed pasture system," said Hawbaker. "Simply put, the environmentally friendly aspect of grazing is what really makes it work."

 

While fuel prices may continue to fluctuate, the cost of animals harvesting their own food will stay the

same. Costs to install fence may vary and property taxes will increase, but there is assistance available to develop a plan, defray the costs, and ensure the quality of the installation of the system. This assistance is made available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

 

EQIP is a broad-ranging conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance to individuals interested in addressing soil, water, air, wildlife, and related natural resource concerns on their operations. The assistance is in the form of incentive payments that will be available for new pasture seedings, fence, water systems, buffers, winter feeding areas, walkways, and wildlife habitat.

 

Conversion of sensitive cropland to pasture and improving degraded pastures are high priorities for EQIP funding with the new 2008 Farm Bill. Well managed pastureland that follows a prescribed grazing plan benefits every resource concern that is identified by the NRCS as a priority. Soil erosion, soil health, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant health, plant diversity, domestic animal health, wildlife food and cover, human social and economic stability and viability of a farm operation are the top resource concerns for Pennsylvania agriculture.

 

To apply, producers should first contact an NRCS Field Office at a USDA Service Center.

 

Applications are accepted by NRCS on a continuous basis throughout the year to evaluate, rank, prioritize, and select applicants. There is no due date to apply; however, applications received early will be given preference for funding by the anticipated mid-March cut off date.

 

Applications will be evaluated on a monthly basis and approvals made on a regular basis as long as funds remain available. Applications that cannot be funded because of a shortage of funds or lower priority can be retained for up to two years, after which time the producer will need to re-apply.

 

The application and information about EQIP for fiscal year 2009 are available on the Pennsylvania NRCS website.