'Practical Farm' is work in progress

MONTICELLO, Ill. -- Black Angus cows with calves by their sides peered curiously at visitors studying the cattle's Practical Farm accommodations.

"When we first started this, they were over in the far corner of the pasture," said John Caveny, who is helping to plan and build a farm adjacent to Allerton Park that will follow some of founder Samuel Allerton's sustainable systems.

"The cattle get used to the people, and the people get used to the cattle," Caveny said. "There's not the stress, and they're easier to handle in intensive grazing."

Intensive grazing is one of the principles that makes the system work, and it's of key interest to Caveny, who farms near Lodge and has become an expert in the most efficient use of grass by animals. Caveny and University of Illinois animal systems expert Ed Ballard have a mission: To show progress made in the year since they started seriously converting the land, formerly farmed by local sheep expert Everett Glasgow, into new systems to improve it.

Caveny said the abundance of food and fiber produced by American farmers has fueled a robust economy, but the cost has been high.

He said all-out production practices have mined the soil's organic matter and damaged water quality in many areas.

The appearance of the landscape has been diminished, and wildlife has suffered, Caveny said.

"We've learned to work with the wildlife," he said of a new type of black-and-white poly rope he uses for fencing systems to keep cows in their pastures.

"Instead of fighting the deer, we're trying to live with them," he said.

Cows rotate from pasture to pasture on a regular schedule so fencing has to be flexible and movable.

Caveny and Ballard said it takes time and planning to make pastures that will support grazing animals.

"It costs $150 per acre to install pasture, but it's a one-time investment," said Ballard, who is based at Effingham. "You spend that every year on corn and soybeans."