1. Christina Curell, Central Region Water Quality Educator
Pasture Management
2010 Crop*A*Syst Training
Christina Curell, Central Region Water Quality Educator
Cows in the Creek slides contributed by
Tom Rorabaugh, Retired Mecosta County CED

2. 6.01) Is the area managed as a pasture?
Are pasture plants the only significant feed source? Is manure removed?

3. 6.02) How far is your pasture from a well
Greater than 50 feet?

4. 6.03) How far is the pasture from surface water?

5. Cows in the Creek Project

6. Unlimited access causes many problems
Erosion from livestock unlimited access to stream

8. Cattle path

10. Erosion and siltation

11. Pond adjacent to watering site

12. This is a cattle crossing used to move cattle to the field
This is a cattle crossing used to move cattle to the field. Note rock waterway on left side. This slope is 6:1 and experiences swift water movement from upper fields during spring rains.

15. This is the finished watering site
This is the finished watering site. Cattle are restricted by fencing on three sides.

16. 6.04) If using rotational grazing, how are paddocks maintained?
Stocking density and pasture rotation are appropriate. Is the forage stand density sufficient to prevent soil erosion and movement of manure from pasture

17. Diagram from “Fence Planning for Horses” Pennsylvania State University Eileen Wheeler and Jennifer Smith Zajaczkowski. See:

18. 6.05) What is being done to reduce manure concentration around watering tanks and/or feeders in pasture areas?
Is the water and/or feed area rotated? Is there sufficient vegetation to slow movement of water? Is soil erosion under control? Is excess manure removed?

19. Low Vegetation Density
Ponding
6.06) How is the pasture maintained to manage runoff and to protect surface water (including sacrifice areas/dirt [non-vegetated] lots within a rotational grazing system)?