Consulting Services
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Farming for the Future
We believe our region is well suited to livestock agriculture and that animals are vital to healthy, biologically rich soil. We also understand the challenges that come with a farm business, and those that come with farming in a way that protects our valuable natural resources. Our goal is for you to succeed as a farm business and as a steward of the land.
What Are Technical Service Providers?
Technical service providers (TSPs) offer services to agricultural producers such as farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). TSPs help these producers plan, design, and implement conservation practices or develop conservation activity plans to improve agricultural operations.
Adaptive Grazing Management
The Challenge
Most of our meat is raised and processed for efficiency and low cost. The result of these “efficiencies” is artificially inexpensive meat, eggs and dairy, which hides the costs to the environment, human health, and small-town economies. The long-term costs of this system are now becoming known. These “costs” to our soil and water resources are not fully accounted for in the current food system. By not managing livestock properly, we take away all the beneficial impacts they can have on the land, and leads to overgrazing, soil compaction, and degraded water quality.
The Opportunity
Through a better understanding of native ecosystems and with technological innovations in
fencing and watering systems, we can now more efficiently use livestock as a driver for soil
health. There is an increasing body of evidence showing that specific changes in common
agricultural practices can reverse soil degradation and restore impacted landscapes. Proper pasture management has the potential to improve farm income, increase soil health, and protect water quality.
Benefits of Adaptive Grazing Management
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Greater pasture production and improved weight gain
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Improved soil biology and fertility
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Better water infiltration and drought resilience
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Reduced parasite pressure on livestock
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Fewer purchased inputs and improved farm profits
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Improved soil health and increased soil organic matter (SOM)
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Carbon sequestration
