NGO Information on the Six Current Priorities

Number of private, non-profit Nongovernmental (NGO) and Community Based Organizations (CBO) contacted: 14

Number that finally responded: 11

2 national; 1 regional; 3 sub-regional; 5 state wide

Number that did not know about the Consortium: 4

Comments:

I have been involved in agriculture for a number of years and have heard references to the Consortium. Only recently, have I actually read a detailed description of what the Consortium is about and what the goals are.

Heard a little bit about you. Assuming we are in NE.

I have never heard of this group. We have seen very little interest expressed in pasture systems from agricultural institutions, although there is tremendous public interest. To the extent this consortium is a functioning group with our state’s involvement, their activities are not “trickling down” to groups like ours.

I had not heard of the Northeast Pasture Consortium until your first email on this subject a while back. I haven’t heard of them since. I am still not sure of their sponsorship or their mission.

Summary comments:

§ Lots of grazing related activities already underway.

§ Not necessarily well connected to current research.

§ Lots of interest in priority setting and field implementation/collaboration

§ Need to distinguish specific projects from programs - and encourage NGO/CBO involvement at both levels.

§ Different organizations interested in different roles

Priority A Determine the management strategies and costs of transition or conversion from row crops to productive and sustainable grazing lands and soils.

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Related Activities?	11111111	1	11
Recognized Priority?	1111111	1111
Top Six Priority?	11111111	11	1
Collaboration Interest?	11111111	11	1

We are promoting humane sustainable agriculture where a grass-based, ecologically sound grazing practices are promoted for family farms and also educational outreach to consumers on the benefits of pasture/grass-fed livestock (all livestock). We work with farmers by providing to groups of farmers a hands-on low stress livestock handling workshop. The workshops are held on-farm of a participating host farmer. The workshops are usually organized by farmers or farm group. We have mostly held dairy workshops in the Northeast but also a couple with beef cattle. We promote pasturing and grass-fed practices.

There is little interest in transitioning from row crop to grazing systems for farmers without livestock on farm now. For farms with livestock, there is emerging interest in managed grazing, but I would say this is in its infancy. Interest has been spurred by the NRCS cost share in EQIP and GRP programs.

There is almost no discussion of pasture systems through extension. NRCS is leading in this role, but we have a single grazing specialist for the entire state, and the position is relatively new.

Need to do research with real farmers, some of it on real farms.

I am not aware of any significant interest in the Northeast farming community in developing management strategies and costs of transition or conversion from row crops to productive and sustainable grazing lands and soils. It seems to me that, in the Northeast, if soils are good for row crops they ought to be used for row crops, and less productive land used for grazing. Particularly in New England where we have comparatively little land prime for row crops (as compared to other parts of the country) I don’t see why we would want to use those soils for grazing when grazing can be done successfully on landscapes that do not support row crops. I can see the benefit of this research in other parts of the country where too much land is devoted to commodity crops grown for livestock feed. It would be nice to see ten thousand acres of feed corn or soybeans in the Midwest converted to grass farming.

I’m not sure I would recommend converting from row crops to grazing as a business development strategy. If you look at the food system by region, this topic seems appropriate for the Midwest, but not appropriate for the Northeast. The resource base that supports the Northeast regional food system is better suited to grazing than it is to row crops. If the Northeast regional food system is to be self-reliant and self-sufficient, I think we want to use our prime soils to produce grains, vegetables and fruits for human consumption. Perhaps a better topic for the Northeast region is converting livestock feed row crops to human food crops on diversified farms. Perhaps a more useful topic for the Northeast Pasture Consortium to research would be the management strategies and costs of transition or conversion from forest to productive and sustainable grazing lands and soils.

We are part of the SARE grant starting the Maine Grass Farmers Network. Pasture info and network for all farmers using pasture at any stage of the animals life cycle. In the past we have included Pasture reclamation as a topic at Conferences and other Pasture walks in past summers…. Working on a grant with these questions as the focus: annuals vs perennials feed value and costs of production

Economics and viability are critical to success

Our organization would work with members to experiment on the farms, trials

We collaborate with University as part of a SARE-funded Grazing project

Good priority

We included management intensive grazing (and shift to MIG from confinement/row crop production) in a report by the National Dairy Environmental Stewardship Council as an economically and environmentally viable option for dairy manure management. Promote shift to grazing as viable option through various efforts with dairy and other producers.

Very interested in identifying best ways for transition and improving transition to grazing practice standard and incentive payments by NRCS through EQIP or AMA or other programs. Critical priority.

We work mostly on the management end of things. For our organization, funding and program priorities preclude us from getting too involved in research, though we hope to expend more and more into this area. Only heard of it as priority at the Consortium meetings.

I think that many of our farmers would be interested in finding out cost of transition in different situations, and those who have had success with a transition to grazing and/or organic might be interested in sharing their numbers.

Management is always the key. We try to provide information on management to folks as they transition and as they continue to graze. Most of our priorities could fall into this broad category.

Member farmers may be interested.

We would like to work with researchers and more farmers in systems development.

As we have seen with the recent organic pasture controversy, we can’t take pasture for granted. Industrial style farming will attempt to convince consumers that pasture and outdoor access for livestock might lead to an unsafe food supply and be unhealthy for the animals. This is bogus but none the less, we are beginning to see this type of advertising to consumers.

We do farm visits and workshops to help improve grazing, among other sustainable ag practices. Also co-sponsor grass farming conference

We are in collaborating in any kind of grazing research on farms

It is as important to improve management on current pastureland as to convert row cropland.

A higher priority is how to make the existing pastures as productive as possible and ways to do that.
Priority B Quantify the economics of whole-farm systems including the effects of breed selection, livestock diversification, and grazing management on animal and pasture health and well-being.

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Related Activities?	1111111	11	11
Recognized Priority?	111111111	1	1
Top Six Priority?	1111111	11	1
Collaboration Interest?	111111111	1	1

We are working with the Garden State Grazing Coalition/NRCS on pasture walks, transition to pasture-based systems, and transition to organic. Focus is on education and outreach. There is little interest in grazing research in research and extension at this time.

We could help identify potential farm cooperators, put on educational events, etc.

This is where it’s at. Farmers have sharp pencils. Quantifying labor/management requirements for successful grazing (compared to confinement systems) is essential. Qualifying farmer satisfaction levels in alternative systems would also be important.

Seems to me that much research in this area has already been done, and a wealth of knowledge is available to farmers considering the benefits of various breeds and/or the benefits of diversifying species on the farm. Seems like the Northeast Pasture Consortium is a few years late on identifying this as a hot topic.

Participating would depend on the benefits of participating in the research program. Breed selection beyond commodity varieties, livestock species diversification and the impacts of both on animal health and pasture quality are topics the sustainable farming community has been actively exploring for years. I would hope the Northeast Pasture Consortium would select more forward thinking topics than those already thoroughly proven in the marketplace.

Good priority

Currently we are more involved in outreach of research provided by others on this issue. We would collaborate largely through promotion of results and outreach to farmers through cooperative projects and in highlighting the value of grazing systems as a viable option.

We had a study on the economics of sheep grazing in years past. I find this type of research to be difficult to translate—often what is true on one farm cannot be transposed to another, and even ranges of numbers are just that—it’s hard for the individual farmer to see where her/his operation fits into that picture. It’s good broad based information, but hard to quantify specifics and have the results mean anything when put out to a general audience. It seems like there are a lot of studies done on this topic. My feeling is that we know that grazing is more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable—now we need to get people doing it more!

There are lots of folks trying out new things, and to have a way of evaluating whether a new breed of livestock or fencing out a wetland, etc, actually improves the bottom line would be great so we would participate in these kinds of studies. We need to test management tools and techniques to use to improve overall economic well being.

This priority has limited applications. It’s just too subjective.

We are planning more educational outreach to farmers and consumers.

We are part of an organic dairy economics study with UVM and Maine

Need real data from real farms, not demonstration farms or computer farms and models.

We do related educational activities with pasture walks and the network sharing. We would help with farmer trials.

Mostly heard about this priority at past consortium meetings and following conferences

Need info especially about diversification for success and health of animals on pasture and the products for human health

This priority is essential for organic principles
Priority C Evaluate new forage species and improved varieties under grazing management and different climatic and soil conditions with emphasis on extending the grazing season.

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Related Activities?	111111	1111	1
Recognized Priority?	1111111111		1
Top Six Priority?	1111111	1111	1
Collaboration Interest?	1111111	111	1

We have examined these issues in pasture walks. There is some interest in silvipasturing from one extension specialist (soils).

We can help identifying farms, collecting data, educational events, etc.

VERY interested in developing grazing systems that utilize native grasses, and EXTREMELY interested in working on grazing systems that are compatible with sustaining/improving grassland bird habitat, which is closely related to grass choices (maturity, height, ability ot compete with invasives, etc.).

We partnered with NRCS to do a field day on Grass-based beef production.

We heard of it as a priority from NRCS, Extension and farmers.

Good priority.

Contributed funding to research looking at nutrient use efficiency and various forage species. This is a priority especially as it influences nutrient balance.

You always hear a lot from seed companies… but generally, this is an expensive way to improve pastures. In my experience, management is paramount, and plant hardiness and performance is so dependent on your microclimate and soils, that no amount of research can predict what will work best in your situation. Exceptions would be plant for specific applications—i.e.: brassicas, warm-season grasses, and small grains to fill in low points and/or extend the grazing season—developing varieties that minimize toxins and maximize palatability. In general, though, anything that destroys a dense, established, perennial sod in favor of an annual crop is a disservice to the land and the farmer.

I’m sure there are folks in our organization who’d like to test out varieties for specific applications, or change what they have in their existing pastures.

Probably a wild goose chase in New England – natives will take over. Learn to manage what you have, maybe look at improved clover varieties

Need to emphasize management of and for native/naturalized species, and pasture reclamation from brush not exotic varieties.

Need farmer involvement and trials based on real management levels, and independent farmer trials

Our activities are a grant with a university and education through the MGFN. We know about university trials, we would be involved with farmer trials.

This is important but tillage is necessary for new species. Then return to native species. Managing the natives is higher priority.
Priority D Evaluate the use of organic food residues as supplemental feeds in
organic pasture-based animal systems.

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Related Activities?	1	111111111	1
Recognized Priority?	11	11111111	1
Top Six Priority?	11	1111111	11
Collaboration Interest?	11111	1111	11

Only interest is in utilizing waste products in organic systems—we have several soy processing plants and would be interested in examining the value of the spent soy for livestock feed.

Consider this a slippery slope back to grain based systems.

I don’t know what this means.

Never heard of this, interesting concept. If it is important to others, go for it.

Not interested in organic

Seems like a good idea—never really thought about it before. I haven’t heard of farmers discussing it as a priority, but it is important for them to be able to find sources for low cost supplementation.

Cool idea, don’t know if the volume is there

Seems more like one or two projects than a programmatic priority

We have educational activities, and some farmers already doing. Research should start with their experience. We could help with farmer trials.

Just seems it is a waste product not always reliable yet helpful. This is an odd emphasis for organic producers. Good reason for diversification, use to raise pigs or chickens for less money.

Better to evaluate value of organic pasture production

Priority E Determine the environmental impacts and profitability of alternative supplemental feeding strategies for animals on high-protein pastures.

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Related Activities?	111	1111111
Recognized Priority?	11111	11111
Top Six Priority?	111111	1111
Collaboration Interest?	1111	111	111

This is something we have no experience with.

We have worked a little bit on communicating environmental impact of MIG systems.

This is unclear: is it about supplemental feeding on pasture or about environmental impact or both or only the crossover of the two? We would want to know about the specific projects.

Pretty high interest.

We have activities that identify and promote most viable options for dairy production in the Northeast – economically and environmentally- including grazing. We are willing to collaborate on projects, and do outreach to producer organizations and policy makers.

This is a common need for dairy producers, and being in a dairy dominated state, graziers often are looking for ways to keep production up and better utilize protein in pastures by supplementing with energy. This seems like one of those management type of goals that can have an immediate and quantifiable impact on dairy producers—and it can be tailored to individual situations through forage testing and analysis of existing rations/supplements.

Our dairy farmers would be interested in being a part of a study like this provided that their production was not negatively impacted. In return for technical assistance/nutritional advice from researchers/nutritionists,—and of course the hope would be for them to increase production. Also, it would be important to do this in both organic and conventional feeding systems to get a good analysis of benefits, commonly available supplement ingredients, etc.

Could be important to dairy; less so to other ruminants. Important for poultry and swine. Winter feeding strategies but not excluasively grain supplements important.

Lot of work done on this already, but should be major focus of research

Seen other studies mostly about N and P. On-farm studies might be useful, we could assist.

Why prioritize environmental concerns on grass, when they are clearly much less of a risk and problem than for big concentrated systems?

Environmental stewardship is needed. Care not to over feed and pollute with runoff.

Hard to rank as priority, not often done with organic animals except dairy.

Priority F Evaluate the production and management aspects of pasture-based animal products for their human health benefits and assess their market potential.

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Related Activities?	1111111	111	1
Recognized Priority?	1111111	11	1
Top Six Priority?	11111111	1	11
Collaboration Interest?	1111111	1	1

We have sponsored education events on how to successfully market pasture products.

We could help identify farms, etc. Would like to try to pitch this to the University

Any work which includes a frank examination of the nutrition impact of production systems long long long overdue. Rank this as the #1 or #2 priority.

Already been done. This is old news.

Very important topic! We undertook development of directory of farmers producing grass-based products. We would help with communicating research results

A lot already done on this.

What if CLA’s don’t turn out as positive as good for people as expected?

Very interested in this issue –our role is largely to take research done by others and help foster demonstration projects and more widespread adoption.

We try to have people come and speak about this topic whenever possible. However, I feel that solid evidence for health benefits is lacking, and more than that, the vagaries of weather/season/climate, and pasture make-up, and breed of livestock, etc. make it difficult to use health benefits in marketing—it’s all generalizations. It’s a hot topic for producers right now—with good reason! We all know our products are better—for health of the people, our communities, the land, etc.—but it’s hard to prove without the “science” to back us up. I’m just not sure that specific claims will make the situation better without a lot of really good info on production methods, and how other factors influence the nutritional makeup of foods. This has to be a broad topic of research, and we have to have on-farm examples—lots of them!

How much more of this would be helpful- regionally to our markets?

Member farmers could be involved in the study.

Not at the top of the list, difficult to get brand/market in practicality

Educational activities include topic of past spring growth as part of our message

We could submit samples for testing and evaluate pricing as part of research

Who hasn’t heard of this as a priority?

It will be good marketing with higher price for farmer, but need to get info to consumers so willing to pay.
Other Priority Statements

Regulatory barriers (sales and production for grass-based and smaller scale, independent producers);

Parasite management Assessing pasture quality, livestock rotation, forage plant mix, seasons and minerals for their capacity to manage parasite loads. Evaluating access to browse/woody plants in pasture (hedgerows) for their parasite management benefits.

Quality parameters for grass-fed-products (beyond CLAs)

Labeling and quality control/claims for grass-fed livestock products

Societal benefits of grass-fed farming (open space, reduced pollution, regional food security, etc)

Winter grazing – implications for ruminant nutrition, forage plant yield/health, potential solutions to remedy seasonality of grass finishing.

Native and naturalized species management : Assessing nutrition/capacity/yield of various forage plants commonly found in the Northeast.

Analysis of Northeast resource base capacity to produce grass finished beef on a per county basis as an indicator of small scale slaughter facility viability.

USDA approved, economically viable, mobile slaughter unit designs

Breed selection beyond commodity varieties, livestock species diversification and the impacts of both on animal health and pasture quality are topics the sustainable farming community has been actively exploring for years. I would hope the Northeast Pasture Consortium would select more forward thinking topics than those already thoroughly proven in the marketplace.