Tompkins and Tioga County Rotational Grazing Implementation

1
Tompkins and Tioga County Rotational Grazing
Implementation

2
Services Provided to the Producer

• Pasture Management Plan forage demand vs. forage
  supply, system sizing, rotation, paddock size,
  etc
• Soil and Forage Sampling
• Fertilizer Recommendations
• CNMP Plan Development
• Application for Funding
• Survey, Design, and Procurement for
  Implementation.

3
State and Federal Funding Opportunities

• Graze NY This federally funded program allows
  for funding of experienced staff members to carry
  out the services provided as listed on the
  previous slide.
• CREP/CRP This federally funded program allows
  for a 50 Cost Share on stream crossings,
  riparian forest buffers, alternative watering
  systems, and fencing along hydrologically
  sensitive areas. Currently there is an additional
  40 Cost Share incentive on all practices once
  all components are completed, bringing the total
  cost share allowance to 90. There is also an
  additional yearly payment for the production
  acres that have been reclaimed to riparian forest
  buffer areas.
• EQIP/AMA/Agricultural Non-Point Source Abatement
  and Control Program All of these programs allow
  for a 75 Cost Share rate to improve pasture
  conditions. These areas include fencing,
  laneways, alternative watering facilities,
  fertilizer, seed, and lime for your pasture
  areas.

4
Implementation Accomplishments

• CRP Well over 60 contracts have been completed
  in the two counties, with well over 300 acres of
  riparian forest buffers being established through
  these contracts, and well over 1.5 million
  dollars in implementation on those farms
  involved.
• Agricultural Non-Point Source Funding There was
  218 Best Management Practices funded on 137 farms
  with a total project cost of 1,015,088.00 in the
  two county area.
• EQIP/AMA These programs have accounted for
  implementation of Rotational Grazing System BMPs
  on over 10 farms.

5
Alternative Watering Systems

6
Alternative Watering Systems Continued

7
Solar Powered Alternative Watering Systems

8
Livestock Laneways

9
Stream Crossings

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Fencing Systems

11
Fencing Systems Continued

12
No-till Drill Rental and Seed Sales

• Both counties have access to a no-till drill,
  which can be rented at the local SWCD office.
  Over 400 acres have been no-tilled with these
  machines.
• Pasture and Wildlife seeds are available through
  the Tompkins County SWCD office.

13
Riparian Forest Buffer Establishments

• Over 15,000 tree and shrub seedlings have been
  planted over the last two years as part of the
  CRP program in the two county area.

14
Pheasant Restoration

• The Tompkins County SWCD raised funds to release
  over 270 pheasants on to several of the
  Conservation Reserve Program Sites.
• The release was very successful with active
  breeding and a noticeable increase in birds in
  the release areas. Tompkins County SWCD hopes to
  raise funds for more releases on additional CRP
  sites.

15
Wetland Restoration Program

• Several wetlands have been restored in both
  counties that were once in pasture and row crop
  rotation.

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Tompkins and Tioga County Intensive Rotational
Grazing in Review

• Over the course of several years well over 200
  farms have been assisted in a variety of ways
  with a variety of state and or federal tools.
• If you reside in either Tompkins or Tioga
  Counties and would like technical assistance, and
  or cost share assistance please call the Tompkins
  County Soil and Water Conservation District at
  [phone] and ask for Jerry.