Farms.com, Canada
12-20-07
Leopold Center Project Explores Contract Grazing Opportunities
By: Leopold Center Press Release
AMES, Iowa -- Beginning farmers, as well as those who lack the capital to
expand pasture acres, may want to consider contract grazing, where the grazier
provides grass and management but does not own the cattle.
“Custom grazing arrangements can help the younger, or undercapitalized
producers get into the cattle business,” said Joe Sellers, Iowa State University
Extension livestock specialist from Chariton. “Well-grazed pastures can
compete with other land uses on southern Iowa farms.”
Sellers is working with Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) on a custom grazing
project funded by the Ecology Initiative of the Leopold Center for Sustainable
Agriculture. One goal of the project is to encourage grass-based livestock
production, which helps diversify the Iowa landscape and protect natural
resources.
"Use of land for grazing aids in keeping soil and water where it belongs," said
Jeri Neal, who leads the initiative. "Grass-based agricultural systems also help
preserve nutrients and sediments, reduce water loss and increase biodiversity
opportunities for more profitable business ventures."
Neal said there is a growing profit potential for grasslands in Iowa, driven
primarily by increased consumer demand for grass-fed beef and dairy products.
Smart management and a focus on forages can help producers take advantage
of this opportunity, and custom grazing arrangements can open the door for new
and younger farmers. For landowners who do not own livestock, leasing the land
to graziers can be profitable as well, she noted.
The Leopold Center-supported project includes an evaluation of existing grazing
arrangements, distribution of tips and examples of good contracts to landowners
and graziers, and facilitating of networking among producers for successful
business arrangements.
In a cooperative effort with the Iowa Beef Center, ISU Extension and PFI, 50
producers in Iowa and northern Missouri who currently have livestock grazing
under some form of custom grazing contract were interviewed. Information was
gathered about characteristics of custom grazing operations, including
management practices, rates being charged, and what items were included in
custom grazing rates.
Three new fact sheets, Custom Grazing Survey 2007, summarize findings from
the survey and potential growth areas. They are available on the web sites of the
Leopold Center [wwww.leopold.iastate.edu], Iowa Beef Center [
www.iowabeefcenter.org] and PFI [ www.practicalfarmers.org].
Sellers said the next phase of the project will develop ways to connect
landowners with existing cattle owners who are looking for grazing land. Focus
groups with landowners and cattle producers are planned in 2008.
Graziers and landowners interested in custom grazing also may want to attend
sessions on that topic scheduled for the Iowa Cattlemen's Association annual
conference January 8 in Ames, and at PFI's annual winter meeting January 12 in
Des Moines. Or they can contact Sellers directly at (641) 774-2016 or by email at
sellers@iastate.edu.
Through its research and education programs, the Leopold Center supports the
development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources.
Center funding comes from state appropriations and from fees on nitrogen
fertilizer and pesticides, as established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater
Protection.