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Range & Pasture

Grazing Lands

Managed grazing goes by many names:Dick Ryan, seated on a 4-wheeler, talks with Brian Pilsbury, NRCS Grazing Land Specialist in Wisconsin.

  • rotational grazing,
  • grass-based farming,
  • management intensive grazing,
  • prescribed grazing. 

But all the terms mean basically the same thing.  Pasture is divided into smaller areas or paddocks, often using portable fencing.  One paddock is grazed for a short time, while the remaining paddocks rest and recover.  Grazing offers a profitable and environmentally low-impact way of life.
 

What is the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative?

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) focuses on providing technical assistance to help new graziers begin using rotational grazing methods.  Trained grazing specialists work one-on-one with farmers developing grazing plans, including seeding recommendations, fencing and watering plans.  GLCI has helped in the following ways:

  • Hundreds of Wisconsin producers develop a Managed Grazing Plan on their land every year.
  • Thousands of acres of grazing land are protected from erosion, runoff, poor plant and soil health, and loss of animal performance every year.
  • Conduct pasture walks, field days, and conferences to educate landowners on grazing.
  • Organize grazing schools through the University of Wisconsin Extension and UW Extension Beef Team.
  • Award several million dollars in grants to groups and agencies to provide education, research, and technical assistance on grazing.
  • Produce numerous publications on grazing, pasture weeds, clover pocket identification guide, fencing, stream crossings, and other grazing topics.

Expiring CRP Land? - Convert it to Pasture (89K,pdf) NEW! Feb 2013

Wisconsin Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Strategic Plan         2011-2016  (2MB, PDF) NEW!

What can Grazing Specialists do for you?   (PDF; 465 KB)

Wisconsin Grazing Specialists   Certified Grazing Planners in NRCS, counties or private sector

For more information, contact NRCS State Grazing Specialist Brian Pillsbury

 

Financial Assistance (cost-sharing) for Grazing Practices through Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Round bales for winter grazing

Publications on Grazing

Other Great Sites for Grazing Information

Grazing Planning Tools