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Nianqua Basin Planned Grazing Demo
The project area includes about 236,000 acres and contains intensive dairy and beef operations with emphasis on forage production, either for hay or pasture. The watershed is a karst area which includes sink holes, losing streams, caves, and permeable soils. These areas are extremely vulnerable to contamination by allowing surface runoff to enter deep ground water or the Niangua River. The watershed area is also a major recreation area providing canoeing, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Bennett Springs State Park (a major trout fishing area) is also located in the project area. The final destination of the Niangua River is the Lake of the Ozarks.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development Council (SWMO RCandD), Inc. received NPS funds to provide annual incentive payments to producers for implementing and demonstrating managed grazing systems that protect ground cover, reduce quantity and improve quality of runoff water, and provide more efficient forage production. The funds are also supporting soil testing and informational activities.
PRODUCTS AND OBJECTIVES
1. Demonstrate best management practices for pasture management and utilization of animal waste to prevent nonpoint source pollution.
2. Inform local and regional landowners of the economic and ecological benefits of proper pasture management.
3. Demonstrate riparian corridor protection as a part of the total farm system.
Grazing practices demonstrated:
Rest-rotation grazing: Multiple pastures (paddocks) leaving one or more idle each year
Deferred rotation: Discontinued grazing on different parts, allows each grazed part (pasture/paddock) to rest a growing season.
Twice-over rotation: Rotates animals faster allowing for a long period of rest between rotations.
Start-duration: Rotation using multiple pastures/ paddocks. Involves large herd, many small parts, and high stocking density.
Six livestock/dairy operations were selected to participate as model sites to demonstrate the effectiveness of grazing best management practices. Systems installed are being customized to each producer. Incentive payments are being provided for participation. Implementation of a total resource management system is required of each participating producer.
Demonstration farms will participate in two to three annual tours jointly sponsored by University Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the SWMORCandD. A series of workshops will be held each year to provide training to landowners and agency personnel working in the region. Participants will become more knowledgeable in (1) plant growth, (2) plant management, (3) soil fertility, (4) species selection, (5) livestock needs, (6) water development, and other aspects of a controlled grazing system necessary to derive economic and environmental benefits of participation.
Site level monitoring will be conducted and will include annual soil sample collections of the individual paddocks within the grazing system to be tested for nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Monitoring will provide necessary parameters for on-farm evaluation of intensive grazing systems.
MDC will develop four stream wildlife riparian management areas. The Missouri Department of Conservation will cost-share to install wildlife areas that will include tree and shrub plantings, livestock exclusion, natural vegetation, tree revetments, riffle structures, rip-rap and anchored root wads.
Project period: March 1, 1994 to December 31, 1999
PROJECT SPONSOR
Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development
COOPERATING AGENCY
Missouri Department of Conservation
CONTACT
Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development
Plaza Southwest Center, Suite 301C
Republic, MO 65738
Rita Mueller
telephone: 417-732-6485
email: rita.mueller@mo.usda.gov
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