Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative

Grazing Management

Healthy pasturelands provide livestock products, flood protection, wildlife habitat, purification of air and carbon sequestration. These lands also provide aesthetic value, open space and vital links in the enhancement of rural social stability and economic vigor.

Arkansas has 34,434 farms with more than 3.6 million acres of pastureland, excluding woodland pasture, according to the 2002 Census of Agriculture.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers several programs to help landowners address natural resource concerns related to pasture management.

NRCS grassland specialists and conservation planners work with farmers on resource assessments of pastures to help design effective grazing systems.

Assistance available includes:

• Maintaining and improving private grazing land and its management;
• Implementing grazing land management technologies;
• Protecting and improving the quality and quantity of water;
• Maintaining and improving wildlife habitat;
• Enhancing recreational opportunities;
• Maintaining and improving the aesthetic character of private grazing land;
• Identifying opportunities and encouraging diversification; and
• Encouraging the use of sustainable grazing systems.

All owners and managers of private grazing land are eligible to receive technical assistance from NRCS.

Grazing lands technical assistance addresses one of Arkansas' important resources. NRCS has four full-time grazing land specialists on staff and another 56 employees who spend more than half of their time providing assistance to grazing operations.

The following practices are a few of the key tools used by NRCS to improve pastureland in Arkansas.

• Prescribed Grazing
• Filter Strips
• Alternative Livestock Watering
• Heavy Use Areas
• Nutrient Management
• Electric Fencing

Additional Information

• Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative
• Success Story

Last Modified: 09/05/2008

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