Report to the Ag Board

Perennial Forage Working GroupGreen Lands Blue Waters ConferenceNovember 20-21, 2013Minneapolis(DICK)Grazing has been growing in the state for more than two decades.In 2005, DATCP sponsored a grazing summit to assess where we were at and what our needs were at that time.We have accomplished many of the goals identified in the 2005 Grazing Summit report.A significant portion of our accomplishments was a result of federal and state grant funds.THE CRUX of the MATTER (we need to clearly identify this main driver): Today, we have entered an era of fiscal constraints and dwindling public resourcesWe have been spending money and time, in bits and pieces with some redundancy and some gaps, and without the full engagement of the breadth of WI stake-holders who have similar goals and objectives (name some of these stake holders?) With the support of the DATCP Executive staff/leadership (Ben, Jeff, Mike), we have begun to envision and plan for a collaborative effort among agencies and organizations in WI to chart a course forward.

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Livestock Agriculture can address multiple sustainability goalsSediment losses from Breneman farm outwintering pastures

Pasture & Grazing in the Upper Midwest2007 Census of AgricultureIllinoisIowaMinnesotaWisconsin# of farms using MiG716510,267885511,469Percent of all livestock farms using MiG39%35%36%33%Total pasture acres1,195,5332,744,7082,195,2191,457,542

Long-term change in pasture and hay acreage

Perennial Forage Working GroupMission: To increase acreage of pasture and perennial forage crops in the Upper MidwestTo encourage best management practices in existing pastures.We work to: Identify obstacles currently facing grazing operations and perennial forage productionDevelop & support economically sustainable strategies, tools &services to increase pasturelands and perennial forages. Perennial Forage Working GroupCurrent Membership:Richard Cates, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin-MadisonCara Carper, Southwest Badger RC&DVance Haugen, University of Wisconsin ExtensionJane Jewett, GLBW/U Minnesota Andrew Larson, Iowa State University Extension & OutreachRichard Ness, Land Stewardship ProjectBob Olson, Cooperative Development ServicesLaura Paine, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Jim Paulson, University of Minnesota ExtensionTroy Salzer, University of Minnesota ExtensionH. Joe Sellers, Iowa State University Extension & OutreachTerry VanDerPol, Land Stewardship Project *Co-Chair(DICK)Grazing has been growing in the state for more than two decades.In 2005, DATCP sponsored a grazing summit to assess where we were at and what our needs were at that time.We have accomplished many of the goals identified in the 2005 Grazing Summit report.A significant portion of our accomplishments was a result of federal and state grant funds.THE CRUX of the MATTER (we need to clearly identify this main driver): Today, we have entered an era of fiscal constraints and dwindling public resourcesWe have been spending money and time, in bits and pieces with some redundancy and some gaps, and without the full engagement of the breadth of WI stake-holders who have similar goals and objectives (name some of these stake holders?) With the support of the DATCP Executive staff/leadership (Ben, Jeff, Mike), we have begun to envision and plan for a collaborative effort among agencies and organizations in WI to chart a course forward.

6Perennial Forage OpportunitiesCategories from last years conferenceNetworking producers and grasslands:Corn stalk grazingPublic grasslandsLand rehabilitation and invasive species control.Demonstrate opportunities for young farmers.Outreach to non-farming landowners.Value of perennial forages in crop rotations.

Current focus: Contract Grazing A model for livestock production partnershipsLandownerLivestock OwnerManagerManagerLandownerLivestock OwnerLivestock ownerLandownerManagerLivestock ownerManagerLandownerManagerLivestock OwnerLandownerThere are a number of ways these partnerships can be structured. Traditionally, the landowner is also the livestock owner and the manager, but that doesnt have to be the case. Weve seen in our brokering activities all of these different configurations: the landowner also owning the cattle and hiring a manager; the landowner contracting with the livestock owner to manage their cattle; the landowner simply providing the land and the livestock owner supplying the management; or a situation where all three components are provided by different entities. 8Contract Grazing Fact Sheetshttp://greenlandsbluewaters.net/Perennial_Forage/contract.html

2014 SARE Pre-ProposalTitle: Brokering relationships between livestock producers, non-farming landowners, and beginning farmersGoals:Beginning livestock farmers will gain knowledge of contract grazing as a means of getting started farming. Non-farming landowners will gain awareness of additional choices for land management decisions. Livestock producers will learn about how to use contract grazing to improve the resilience and economic performance of their operations by gaining access to additional grassland acreage. Activities:A regional contract grazing conference.One or more local workshop series in each state. A mentoring program for beginning graziers by experienced livestock producers. Research on and outreach to non-farming landowners.$198,637 requested

Perennial Forage OpportunitiesCategories from last years conferenceNetworking producers and grasslands:Corn stalk grazingPublic grasslandsLand rehabilitation and invasive species control.Demonstrate opportunities for young farmers.Outreach to non-farming landowners.Value of perennial forages in crop rotations.Networking producers and grasslands:LSPs Chippewa Watershed project networks producers & landowners with >3000 acres.WI Grazing Broker project seeks to connect non-farming landowners with livestock producers.Minnesota DNR grazing initiative

Perennial Forage OpportunitiesCategories from last years conferenceDemonstrate opportunities for beginning farmers. Beginning farmer programs:Farm Beginnings Program from LSP.WI School for Beginning Dairy & Livestock FarmersWI Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship ProgramIowa State University Greenhorn Grazing project.

Perennial Forage OpportunitiesCategories from last years conference

An estimated 60% of land in the region is owned by non-farming landownersResearch and reach out to non-farming landowners.Land Stewardship Projects women landowners groups (Chippewa and Root River watersheds).SW Badgers WI Grazing Broker project.SARE Contract Grazing Proposal.Perennial Forage OpportunitiesCategories from last years conference

The idea of the grazing broker is to create a role or position that bridges the gap between the non-farming landowner and the livestock producer. This person provides planning services to identify goals of both parties and incorporate a balance of goals into a grazing plan. The broker also identifies sources of resources for fencing, watering systems, land lease templates, etc.

The project began in winter 2012-2013 with a series of workshops. We held one workshop for non farming landowners to introduce the concept of managed grazing. About 60 people attended.We held a second workshop for livestock producers to help them understand the goals and interests of non-farming landowners and to understand the economics of leasing land.The third workshop was a speed dating session which brought the two groups together.

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Perennial forages in rotation boost annual crop yields and reduces input costs.Livestock agriculture makes perennial forages a potential enterprise for not only livestock producers but also cash grain producersLosing livestock farming infrastructure has broad implications for agricultural economies, environmental performance, and rural communities.Perennial Forage OpportunitiesCategories from last years conference