MADISON, WI (WHBL) - State officials are exploring a program to using cattle to help stimulate the growth of natural prairies and grasslands in Wisconsin.
It's called conservation grazing, and the program is an effort to help mimic the natural grazing and trampling that was done on Wisconsin's grasslands by bison and buffalo and other native grazers in the past. DNR wildlife technician Erin Grossman says that they're working on a small scale right now at the Buena Vista Wildlife Area in a study of the project. The program rotates a group of wild foraging cows and calves through an area of the park to simulate native herds of grazers passing through. Grossman says they're already seeing results. "From last year to this year, we saw an increase in forage for the animals, an increase in grass and grass cover which is good, and we're seeing a good diversity of some flowers in the area, which is also beneficial to wildlife."
Grossman says the grazing does a number of things to the grassland. First, it puts pressure on the plants and encourages them to grow taller and deeper which gives an increase to foliage. She says the actions of trampling hooves also forces seeds into the ground which can boost growth along with left over cow dung promoting new growth. Cattle can also be trained to eat invasive and noxious plants like steeplebush, willow, aspen, musk thistle, and goldenrod. This reduces the need to come in and do expensive chemical treatment of the grassland for weed removal.
The program is in its second year of a five year study. Rancher and grazing specialist William Kolodziej came into the study with some reservations. "When first approached with the concept of fostering a partnership with Wisconsin DNR to utilize grazing on public lands, I saw it as opportunity with many benefits--however, I also had many concerns," said Kolodziej. "Will DNR understand my goals and needs as a producer, will my cattle have enough to eat and adequate water to be healthy and stay in the fence?"
He says his fears are being alleviated, and that his herd saw a 100% percent success rate in breeding last season. "It is rewarding to be a part of a successful project where commercial agriculture works with the environment to improve water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat."
For more information regarding managed grazing in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "grazing."