OUTDOOR CORNER: LAND MANAGEMENT ALLOWS COEXISTANCE OF AGRICULTURE, WILDLIFE

In the age of modern farming, one misconception widely held is that fish and wildlife simply cannot fit into today's farming systems. Fortunately for those who enjoy the creatures of the wild, this notion need not be true. Fish, wildlife and agriculture can coexist on the same land. All it takes is a little management and an understanding of the needs of fish and wildlife.

To illustrate how fish and wildlife can coexist with farming, lets look at one land use practice that benefits both the producer and the environment. Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) is a practice that allows livestock (cattle, horses, or sheep) to be rotated through a series of small pastures (paddocks) as forage condition, livestock needs and weather conditions dictate. It has also been referred to as controlled grazing, intensive grazing, rotational grazing and intensive rotational grazing.

The idea behind management intensive grazing is to keep livestock on a given paddock for a short period of time before being moved. In return, each paddock will have a rest period to allow regrowth of the vegetation. Generally, each paddock should be rested approximately 20 days in the spring, and about 30-40 days in the summer and fall.

In MIG systems, water needs to be in or as closed to each paddock as possible. This may require an improvement in the water system. Fencing must also be considered. It takes a number of paddocks to make MIG systems work. This will call for more cross-fencing, which can be either temporary or permanent.

But how does a MIG system benefit a producer, especially if the producer has to improve his watering system and also construct more fencing?

Fewer Weeds: In this type of grazing system, larger numbers of livestock are turned into smaller paddocks and for a shorter period of time than with traditional grazing methods. This effectively eliminates selective grazing. The livestock simply do not have the time or opportunity to select only the highest quality or most palatable forages, so the stand of grasses and legumes is grazed evenly. Pastures managed in this way typically have a healthier stand of grasses and legumes and are less susceptible to weed invasions.

Better Pasture Health: Rest periods of three to six weeks are common between grazing periods in an individual paddock. This allows the grasses and legumes replenish roots and stems. Healthy plants produce more forage and are more able to compete with undesirable species. Healthier stands of grass also produce more during the early spring and midsummer months than stands that are continually grazed. Annual and biennial legumes are given the opportunity to reseed themselves, and typically persist in a grass stand longer and in larger amounts.

Reduced Fertilizer Costs: This is one benefit that most producers don't normally think about. Livestock are evenly distributed over the small paddocks used in a MIG system, resulting in better urine and manure distribution. Better manure management is better fertilizer management, and results in lower fertilizer needs. In fact, many pastures that are brought up to soil test recommendations when a MIG system is initiated do not require additional fertilization for a number of years.

Longer Grazing Season: In systems where tall fescue is used, the rotation plan can allow the fall stockpiling of fescue. Stockpiled fescue can provide quality forage during much of the fall and winter months. Reduced Need for Haying - In a MIG system, fall stockpiling of fescue will help reduce the need for expensive haying to feed livestock through the winter. Better forage utilization in the spring allows the livestock to better keep up with forage production, so haying is not as necessary to avoid over- mature forage.

Less Fuel and Labor: Reduced haying needs saves fuel, labor, and equipment wear and tear. Moving livestock is often made easier as well. Usually, livestock are moved to greener pastures, so little encouragement is necessary.

Less Erosion: Healthier stands of grass prevent soil erosion. Scour and gully erosion will not be as prominent as in continuous grazed pastures. Also, since each paddock is only used for a short length of time before being rested, there will be less erosion around watering points, shade, mineral feeders, rubs, and livestock trails.

Healthier Forest and Riparian Areas - One of the operating rules of MIG is to "keep the cattle on the grass." A well-planned grazing system does not allow livestock into forests and other areas of low forage production. Streams, ditches, woody draws, forests, and other odd areas that are fenced out of a MIG system can provide good fish and wildlife habitat when protected from the destructive impact of continuous grazing. A healthy forested riparian area (strip of land along a stream) is essential to prevent streambank erosion and ensure good fish habitat and water quality.

Increased Wildlife Habitat: Paddocks that are rested for long periods of time can provide ideal habitat for ground nesting grassland birds and small animals, especially if they are undisturbed during the nesting season (May 15 - July 1). Well managed paddocks often have a greater legume component than continuously grazed pastures. Legumes provide good food for wildlife. Legumes also attract insects that are used for food, especially by birds. The incorporation of warm-season grasses into a MIG system will increase food and cover for wildlife and provide grasses for livestock during the summer months.

As you can see by managing your grasses for livestock production you will also be managing the fish and wildlife resources. For more information on Management Intensive Grazing contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation District, or the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Brad Pobst is a fisheries management biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.