United States Department of Agriculture
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More Cattle on Less Hay

Program or Category: Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)

Overview: John Hicks is an all-grass commercial cow/calf producer in Hampshire County who was able to initiate an intensive grazing system as a result of improving livestock watering source distribution through cost-sharing and technical assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Accomplishments: Hicks was able to drill a new well under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) during the drought of 1999; this well was needed since Hicks had taken the initiative to fence his cattle out of the South Branch of the Potomac River and had only hand-dug wells on his property. After the well installation, he was able to use approximately 2,000 feet of above-ground pipeline to distribute livestock water to the lower portion of his farm. After discussion with NRCS staff and hearing various speakers at grazing conferences, Hicks started to try rotational grazing on his 800 acre farm. Hicks intensified his operation after this trial because he was impressed with the better utilization of the pastures, and how forages grew back more quickly and vigorously under the rotational grazing. Under the EQIP program, he applied for additional watering facilities so that he could further subdivide his pastures into a more permanent grazing system.

Program Benefits to Landowner:  Mr. Hicks says that one of the greatest benefits of prescribed grazing is that it is “better for the soil.” He noticed a marked difference in the amount of organic matter in his fields this year while taking soils tests. He also says his grass comes back every year more dense and lush than the year before. The only problem he has had in the system is lack of shade for his cattle, which he hopes to solve in the upcoming grazing season by incorporating some portable shade devices.

Given the better forage utilization and water sources, Mr. Hicks started stockpiling fescue and orchard grass for winter grazing. “Every year I get [support] more and more head, yet I feed less hay as a result of winter grazing”, says Hicks. The first year (2003) he stockpiled 40 acres and was able to save two months of feeding hay to his cow/calf herd of 70. Last winter he stockpiled 80 acres of cool season grasses and was saved from feeding hay to his herd for four months. Consequently, Mr. Hicks has been able to sell more of his hay for profit. In fact, he is able to sell approximately $9600 more worth of hay each year now that he stockpiles the fescue.

Hicks plans on continuing with the prescribed grazing plan that NRCS staff was able to help him with through technical and financial assistance. Mr. Hick serves as a testament to the benefits of increasing water distribution and improving pasture quality for other producers here in Hampshire County.

Program Benefits to Community: Cattle are fenced out of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Hicks has surplus hay to market.

Contact Information:
 
Name Position Office Phone Fax E-mail
Christi Ross Soil Conservationist Romney Service Center
500 East Main Street
Romney, WV 26757		 304-822-3020 304-822-3728 Christi.Ross@wv.usda.gov

click to enlarge - Winter Grazing in Hampshire County, WVEach year Mr. Hicks supports more cattle but feeds less hay as a result of winter grazing.

 

 

click to enlarge - Rotational Grazing along Potomac RiverA view of the rotational grazing system of the Hicks farm along the South Branch of the Potomac River.
 

 

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