United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 West Virginia Go to Accessibility Information
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Pasture Management Improves Water Quality and Reduces Erosion

Program: Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

Overview: Conservation Planning with Terry Lahman leads to development of pasture management system.

Accomplishments: A pasture management system was developed to manage resources all year. Mr. Lahman’s pasture development included the use of three existing ponds, six existing troughs, and one existing spring development; adding another spring development, reservoir, 2,000 feet pipeline, and two troughs to complete the pasture water system that allowed the development of seven pasture fields. The field division required constructing 5,750 feet of high-tensile electric fence and 500 feet of woven wire fence. This not only allowed for summer management of livestock, but provided water for his wintering area of 80 head of beef cattle. The winter feeding area was designed within this field system such that livestock no longer had access to the stream and grass buffers were left to filter runoff.

Result: The result of an accelerated EQIP program, ECP funding, and CTA was calf weaning weight gain which relates to higher income for Mr. Lahman. The development of the pasture system reduced erosion on the pastures by allowing rotational grazing that improved the grass cover, quantity, and quality. The pasture system improved water quality by allowing only limited livestock access to the stream during the grazing season and eliminated winter livestock access to the perennial stream. Water quantity available to livestock is now dependable from several sources.

Program Benefits to Landowner: Mr. Lahman has an adequate water supply, improved grazing, healthier cattle, and calves wean heavier.

Program Benefits to Community: Proper grazing has reduced erosion and improved natural filtering of rainfall. Livestock have less direct access to ponds and stream, significantly improving water quality. The winter feeding area now has a buffer between it and the streams.

Contact Information:
Name Position Office Phone Fax E-mail
Richard S. Gray District Conservationist Petersburg Service Center 312 North Main Street, Suite 4
Petersburg, WV 26847		 304-257-4702 ext 102
 		 304- 257-2467 Richard.Gray@wv.usda.gov

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