Prescribed Grazing Opens Gates for Grazers and Wildlife

[Bumpus]

NGPC news release, 5/16/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently received a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund (NETF) that will help implement prescribed grazing systems designed to benefit wildlife, plant communities, and livestock owners.

The $100,000 grant is distributed through a partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nebraska Cattlemen and private landowners.

Nebraska’s native plant and animal communities are adapted to grazing. After the plains were homesteaded, the natural cycle of grazing, rest, and regrowth was disrupted. This disruption of the natural cycle has led to changes in the plant community and wildlife habitat. By mimicking the grazing patterns of native animal species, such as bison and elk, today’s domestic livestock can help improve grasslands and wildlife habitat.

“This grazing project will focus on wetlands whose compatible use plans often include grazing, because it is acknowledged that properly managed grazing can benefit the wetland areas,” said Ted LaGrange, wetland program manager for the Commission. If done properly, grazing can increase plant diversity, create openings in wetland vegetation, and improve the quality of wildlife habitat.

The grant will provide funding for fences and watering facilities, which will help landowners implement prescribed grazing systems. “This project will allow livestock producers to better distribute livestock into underutilized grazing sites, which should result in an overall improvement in their operating efficiency,” LaGrange said.

The project will target two types of land: private lands enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wetlands Reserve Program and state wildlife management areas, including adjacent private lands.

For more information, contact the following Commission staff members: Alliance, Emily Munter, (308) 763-2940; Bassett, Bill Vodehnal, (402) 684-2921; Beatrice, Matt Steffl, (402) 228- 0269; Chadron, Shelley Stoley, (308) 432-6190; Kearney, Laurel Badura, (308) 865-5310; Lincoln, Scott Luedtke, (402) 471-0641; Norfolk, Clayton Stalling or Scott Wessel, (402) 370-3374; and North Platte, T.J. Walker, (308) 535-8025.