Illinois NRCS values the benefits good grazing management offers Illinois producers and their natural resources. We offer conservation programs and practices specifically designed to help graziers find success in sustainable and profitable operations.
Grazing Programs & Practices
NRCS programs most relevant to graziers include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Organic EQIP options.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Illinois
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.
Learn MoreConservation Stewardship Program - Illinois
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.
Learn MoreBauman Family Farms
Meet Grant and Casey Bauman from Vienna, IL. Read their story to learn about their grazing operation and their close relationship with conservation.
Burnt Hill Cattle Company
Meet Logan and Jessica Karcher from Dahlgren, IL. Learn from them how grazing different and diverse species can be successful.
Main Street Pastures
Meet Jill and Chad Vonder Haar from St. Rose, IL. Their operation is sustainable and profitable and meets community needs.
Root and Sky Farms
Meet Josh and Tiffany Kriner from Marengo, IL. They transformed depleted cropland into a grazing oasis that meets everyone's needs.
Tri-Point Ranch and "Graized"
Meet three young farmers from Moweaqua, IL who put their skills and passions together to create an impressive livestock operation.
Wanda Family Farm
Meet Joe and Hannah Wanda from Harvard, IL. Farming so close to Chicago, their grass-fed options are in high demand and their soils are protected and healthy.
Livestock Operations-The Ultimate Recycling Story
Larry O’Hern owns a large cattle operation in Central Illinois. He’s a Midwest cattleman to be sure, but he’s also a successful businessman, managing all aspects of the operation—inputs, accounting, profits, infrastructure, clients, neighbor relations, and oh yeah, all those cows.
Educational Materials
Back in 2010, NRCS and GLCI launched an effort to promote the art and science of good grazing management through a campaign called “Good Grazing Makes Good $ense!” To learn more about these new educational materials or to speak to someone about using these materials to promote grazing at a local field day, demonstration site or workshop, please contact your local NRCS District Conservationist.
With feed costs always on the rise, Illinois livestock operators might be ready to consider the benefits of a GRAZING MANAGEMENT PLAN. “Good Grazing Makes Good $ense!” is Illinois NRCS’ newest information campaign. These materials detail benefits and options of sustainable and profitable grazing systems and they tell you how to make it work on your ground.
Partners
NRCS works alongside many Illinois partners committed to grazing—The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition (GLC), University of Illinois Extension specialists, Illinois Forage and Grassland Council, and others who value grass and forage production, good grazing management techniques, and planning.
Learning Center
Use these resources to help improve your grazing operation. Whether you are just starting out or if you have an established operation, you are bound to find some useful information.
Fence Building (NRCS Practice Standards)
- Safety/Security Fence
- Electric Fence
- Barbed Wire, Woven Wire or Suspension Fence
- Corral/Lot Fence Specifications
Grazing "how to" videos
Grazing Fact Sheets (Illinois Grazing Manual)
To download the entire Grazing Manual, we have split it into 4 Parts. For individual fact sheets, scroll down to where you can access the PDF or click the topic below.
- Part 1 – General, Gazing Management, Establishment/Renovation, Noxious Weeds
- Part 2 – Species
- Part 3 – Animal Health, Fertility, Livestock Watering Infrastructure, Livestock Nutrition, Miscellaneous, References/Contacts
- Part 4 – Livestock Handling Facilities
- General
- Grazing Management
- Establishment/Renovation
- Species
- Noxious/Invasive Species
- Animal Health
- Fertility
- Livestock Watering Infrastructure
- Livestock Handling Facilities
- Livestock Nutrition
- Miscellaneous
General
Grazing Management
Establishment/Renovation
Species
Warm-Season Grasses
Cool-Season Grasses
Cool-Season Perennial Legumes
Biennial Legumes
Annual Legume
Annual and Alternative
Noxious/Invasive Species
Invasive Species
Poisonous Plants
Animal Health
Fertility
Livestock Watering Infrastructure
Livestock Handling Facilities
Livestock Nutrition
Miscellaneous
Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs
The University of Kentucky has published the PDF Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs.
Pasture/Hayland/Livestock Inventory Worksheet