This document summarizes a project that provided incentives for dairy farmers to adopt management intensive grazing (MIG) systems to improve soil and water quality while sustaining productivity. The project recruited 16 dairy farmers across three counties, who converted over 788 acres to permanent pastures. This saved an estimated 2,337 tons of topsoil per year. Participating farmers installed over 13,000 feet of fencing and watering facilities. Extension agents held 28 educational pasture walks. The incentive payments and technical assistance helped overcome barriers to adoption and increased the use of more sustainable grazing practices.

1. DEMONSTRATION OF MANAGEMENT INTENSIVE
GRAZING SYSTEMS FOR DAIRY PRODUCTION
Fultz, Semler, *S.W.1,
and Lawrence. J.W. 1, L.2
University of Maryland Extension1, Maryland Department of Agriculture2
Abstract Objectives Impact
In an effort to increase the adoption rate of • To demonstrate MIG within dairy production systems • 16 producers converted 788.7 acres to permanent cover
management intensive grazing (MIG) in Maryland and as an approach to protect or improve water and soil
to demonstrate environmental benefits of water and quality and grazing land health while sustaining • Project was expanded to a third county in year three
soil quality and grassland health using MIG systems, a productivity and the economic viability of dairies
USDA Conservation Innovation Grant was obtained to • 52.4 tons of topsoil are being saved per acre per year
provide $200 to $300 per acre incentives to transition • To improve pastures and forage resources to support
to grazing. Funding was in addition to other federal and the majority of herd nutritional needs • 2,337.9 total tons of topsoil are being saved per year on the 16 farms
state cost share. Goal was to recruit eight new
producers in two counties. Local USDA-NRCS, • To reduce soil erosion by establishment of permanent • 13,152 feet of stream fencing was installed
Maryland Department of Agriculture soil conservation perennial pastures
districts, and extension agents provided technical • 3.6 acres of heavy use area protection was installed
support. Sixteen farmers from three counties • To develop 8 demonstration farms in two counties
participated, enrolling 788.7 acres into the program. • 12 permanent watering facilities were installed
Average contract was written for 44 acres. Participants • To address startup impediments to MIG with incentive
had an average of 125 cows and 65 heifers. Prior to payments to broaden flexibility for using public support • 67,343 feet of non-stream fencing was constructed
the project, 62% of the farms didn’t graze lactating
cows and most of the remaining farms using pasture • 28 Pasture Walks were held on farms that had adopted MIG, each reaching 20 to 55 participants from
had 5 days between rotations. All farms now rotate to five mid-Atlantic states
new pasture at least daily. Tons per acre of soil saved
ranged from 0.3 to 8.0 as calculated using RUSLE2 • 20% of participating farms were new Extension cooperators/clients
both pre and post MIG conversion for a total of 2,337.9
tons of soil saved per year. In addition, 13,152 feet of • 63% of the participants were new to grazing, but the remaining 37% were new to MIG, decreasing
stream fencing, 3.6 acres of heavy use area protection, time on paddocks from 5 days to 24 hours
12 permanent watering facilities and 67,343 feet of
permanent non-stream fencing was installed. • Although no hard data was collected on animal heath, participants reported improvements in this area
Extension agents held 28 pasture walks each reaching with a decrease in veterinary visits and expenditures.
20 to 55 producers on project farms with producers
from five states participating. Nearly 20% of the
producers were new Extension clients. Farmers
indicated they would not have participated without the
incentive payment.
Introduction
• Between 1997 and 2002, the number of dairy farms in
Maryland declined 25 percent.
• Since 1995, University of Maryland Extension field
faculty has been promoting the idea of Management
Intensive Grazing (MIG) on dairy farms, but adoption rate
had slowed.
• Approximately 63%, or 228, of the dairy farms in
Frederick and Washington counties have fewer than 100
Methods
animals and may consider alternative management • Conservation Innovation Grant was obtained in 2005 to
strategies, including MIG, to stay viable. fund this project originally slated for 3 year, but extended
to 5 years.
• The largest impediment for confinement operations to
• Promotion of the program was done through
transition to grass-based operations is the initial
newsletters, promotional brochure, press releases, winter
investment cost for the fencing to create paddocks, the
educational meetings, field days, county fairs, and
creation of laneways, water access in paddocks, and the
individual farm visits.
establishment of nutritional pasture forage. Conclusion
• A 0.5 FTE staff member dedicated to providing outreach
Adoption of new conservation practices and participation in new programs
• Soil erosion issues are common both in areas where and technical assistance was hired to assure project
is accelerated or enhanced by broadening eligibility criteria and
carrying capacity is exceeded and areas where animals outcomes were achieved.
maintaining the flexibility to tailor the program to respond to producer
congregate since confined or partially confined dairy
• Grant provided $200 to $300 per acre incentives to objectives, site conditions and regional variations.
operations do not manage their pastureland for optimal
transition to grazing. This funding was in addition to other
animal nutrition.
state or federal cost share funds participant farms were
eligible to receive.
• These findings prompted University of Maryland
Extension Agents and NRCS/SCD, and MDA personnel to • Extension Agents, soil district technicians and NRCS
Cooperating agency programs are open to Acknowledgement
all citizens without regard to race, color,
seek innovative solutions to encourage further MIG personnel provided technical assistance. The authors wish to thank the staff of the Carroll,
gender, disability, religion, age, sexual
adoption. Frederick, and Washington Counties USDA NRCS and Soil
• Each enrolled farms agreed to host at least one Pasture orientation, marital or parental status, or
Walk to provide educational outreach to new audiences. national origin. Conservation District offices for their technical assistance.