By Jordan Barnes

Managing pasture streams and surrounding riparian areas is not only extremely beneficial to the environment and the surrounding ecosystem but cost-effective and smart for any livestock producer.

MSU Kellogg Biological Station Pasture Dairy Research and Education Center Project coordinator Matt Haan and MSU Extension educator Ben Bartlett will discuss managing livestock in the area around pasture streams at this year’s Ag Expo.

The area can be fenced off as a vegetative buffer to limit stream access and prevent overgrazing. Access can be granted at constructed areas or passing points. The area may also be fenced off as a dedicated riparian paddock to allow occasional flash grazing.

“The paddock allows the livestock producer to continue grazing livestock on the land, and the periodic, controlled removal of the vegetation helps to maintain a healthy forage stand,” Haan said.

Fencing in a stream and adding a controlled stream area can be the best use of a pasture and stream resources. Creating a controlled stream access site, however, requires a permit from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

When fencing isn’t feasible, other ways to reduce the effects of livestock on a stream and the surrounding environment include using off-stream water sources or supplementation to lure cattle away from the stream area.

“A clean off-stream water source will not only encourage cattle to avoid the riparian area but has also been shown to improve cattle performance,” Haan said.

Other livestock graze differently. Sheep and goats avoid low and wet areas and rarely cause damage to the land, but they can damage woody plants during dry periods – something that’s usually avoided by cattle.

This article is from the May 2009 issue of The Scoop. To read the full issue click here.