West Virginia Success Story

Feeding Structure Improves Farm and Watershed

Program or Category: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Overview: EQIP is helping to reduce sediment and nutrients from the Hott Farm in Pendleton County from running off into the Potomac and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. The 748 acre, third generation family business, is located on the banks of the South Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac. Previously, the farm fed cattle in open lots that became muddy in wet weather. The mud drained into ditches and into the river.

Accomplishments: The Hott’s feed their steers and heifers more effectively in a new 100% total confinement feeding barn. The confined feeding barn has 40 x 112 foot feeding areas, 224 foot J-bunks on each side, sick pens, and manure stackers. In addition, 220 feeders, 120-day manure storage, and six watering troughs (supplied from existing wells) were provided. The fencing design helped train the cattle to use the watering trough areas. The design protects water quality and enhances riparian areas while providing a clean reliable source of livestock water. Cattle still graze pastures and have access to streams in some areas of the farm.

Program Benefits to Landowner: The Hott’s save on their cattle feeding in both time and money. Costs are down while the cattle’s weight is up. “This makes the cattle more market ready,” said Mike Hott. The structure has also allowed for easier grain mixing, saving money and time. Before we kept our heifers in upper tract and kept the steer over here and now they are all in one area, another time saver. That’s the reason why the building is so big so we can handle that many.” This program gives the farmer more flexibility than completely fencing cattle out of an area by providing an alternate water source. The cattle wasted energy walking thru mud. Corn stalk bedding and manure from the confined feeding barn are used for fertilizer.

Program Benefits to Community: This project is a success for EQIP in the Chesapeake Bay because it eliminates a source of pollution and sediment. It provided local jobs. “In the construction of this, we’ve had local people help. They did an excellent job doing our fence, they are great,” said Mike Hott. We also had a gentleman plumb in all of our water out there, he did a good job.”

Contact:
Doris Brackenrich, District Conservationist
(304)258-2285
Doris.Brackenrich@wv.usda.gov

Franklin Service Center
P.O Box 246
Franklin, WV 26807

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