Range & Pasture | NRCS Iowa
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Iowa


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Range & Pasture

Cattle graze in a rotational grazing system in Marion County, Iowa.Pasture lands are diverse types of land where the primary vegetation produced is herbaceous plants and shrubs. These lands provide forage for beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, horses and other types of domestic livestock. Also many species of wildlife, ranging from big game such as elk to nesting song birds such as meadowlarks, depend on these lands for food and cover.

Primary economic outputs include livestock production, but wildlife values are also a major economic consideration for these lands, especially range lands. Environmental values of these lands are extensive and provide many essential ecosystem services, such as clean water, wildlife and fish habitat, and recreation opportunities. Scenic, cultural, and historic values of these lands provide not only economic benefits, but also quality of life values cherished by many.

Other Grazing Lands

Most grazing lands are considered either range or pasture, but grazing lands also include grazed forest lands, grazed croplands, haylands, and native/naturalized pasture. These other land use types make up an additional 106 million acres of privately owned grazing lands, or about 17% of the total U. S. grazing lands. These other types of grazing lands provide a significant forage resource for U. S. livestock production.

Pasture Management Resources

The following documents require Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Excel.

  • Pasture Condition Score Sheet - A tool to record the condition of the indicators and evaluate the pasture. This goes with the Guide to Pasture Condition Scoring.
    • (PDF Version, 151 KB | XLS Version, 5 MB))
  • Guide to Pasture Condition Scoring - The guide is used to inform landowners as well as professionals of the 10 indicators of pasture condition with a procedure to asses each indicator Revised January 2020. Updates the original Guide to Pasture Condition Scoring that was published in May 2001. (PDF, 7.7 MB)
    • Guide to Pasture Condition Score Training (YouTube)
  • Iowa Forage and Livestock Balance Worksheet (XLS, 1.5 MB) - Updated February 2020
  • Grazing Plan Checklist (PDF) - December 2018
  • National Range and Pasture Handbook
  • Grazing Management and Soil Health (PDF)
    • Grazing Cover Crops for Soil Health (YouTube)
  • Fences (46 MB, PDF)
  • How to Use a Grazing Stick
  • Cover Crops - Toxic Plants for Grazing (PDF)

Articles

  • Grazing Lands Grow More Bugs for Birds to Eat - farmers.gov, Nov. 26, 2018
  • Grazing Management and Soil Health, Wallaces Farmer, April 15, 2019
  • What is Regenerative Grazing? - Beef Producer, April 16, 2019
  • Silvopasture brings weather relief for herd, soil benefits - Iowa Farmer Today, May 3, 2019

Popular Conservation Practices for Grazing Operations

Below are some of the more popular conservation practices that Iowa farmers install to treat resource concerns related to grazing land operations as outlined in their conservation plans:

  • Key Practices for Iowa Grazing Land Operations (PDF)
  • Grassland Conservation Practices for a Sustainable System (PDF)
Conservation Practices for Grazing Operations
528 Prescribed Grazing 382 Fence: Barbed and Woven Wire 382 Fence: Electric
516 Livestock Pipeline 511 Forage Harvest Management 560 Access Road
614 Watering Facility 561 Heavy Use Protection Area 578 Stream Crossing
512 Forage and Biomass Planting 576 Livestock Shelter Structure 314 Brush Management
315 Herbaceous Weed Treatment 338 Prescribed Burning 533 Pumping Plant
642 Water Well 575 Trails and Walkways 381 Silvopasture
574 Spring Development 380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt  

 

Conservation Practices for Winter Feeding Stations
561 Heavy Use Protection Area 558 Roof Runoff Structure 560 Access Road
367 Roofs and Covers 313 Waste Storage Facility  

Success Stories

  • Ryan Collins - Rotational Grazing, Fencing, Pond Access Ramp, Harpers Ferry, Iowa (2016)
  • Bill Totemeier - Successful Mob Grazing, New London, Iowa (2013)
  • Mike Sweeney/John Olmstead - Rotational Grazing Neighbors, Polk County, Iowa (2010)
  • Whiterock Concervancy - New Grazing System, Coon Rapids, Iowa (2010)
  • Mark Carlson - Solar Powered Pump Combats Livestock Watering Issues (2008)
  • Paul Ackley - Rotational Grazing Pays, Bedford, Iowa (2008)
  • Roger Edwards - Controlling Erosion Expands Grass Production, Louisa County, Iowa (2008)
  • Francis Thicke - Cows Major Source of Farm Power, Fairfield, Iowa (2008)
  • Tom Pattee - Retired Teacher Converts to Cattleman, Harlan, Iowa (2007)

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