Special Projects

WYPGLT Grants

The South Big Horn Conservation District applied and qualified for three WYPGLT (Wyoming Private Grazing Lands Team) grants this winter (2003). These grants are designed & directed towards innovative “on-the-ground” projects that demonstrate new, improved, or applied techniques which result in enhancement of increased production and stewardship of private grazing lands. Their focus is on alleviating, mitigating or negating the effects of drought on both livestock and wildlife, primarily through some type of new or enhanced water development. The WYPGL Team is also looking for projects from individuals, organizations or agencies which focus on enhancement, conservation, and increased restoration of small acreages and projects which concentrate on enhancement of sage grouse habitat or populations while maintaining or enhancing livestock.

NOSE PUMPS FOR CATTLE

The first of the grants entails "Nose Pumps" for cattle which could help alleviate stress on our counties rivers and streams. The Nose Pumps may be used along marginal pastureland riparian areas.  They may be used in locations where riparian areas are fenced off and where sources of water alternatives are necessary.  SBHCD has five impaired and six threatened streams listed on the latest the Department of Environmental Quality 303(d) list.  All of the impaired and threatened streams are listed for fecal contamination.  Where water gaps can be eliminated, nose pumps may be an alternative for small herds.  Other areas of use may be on traditional cropland or cropland converted to grazingland.  Nose pumps will be loaned out to different livestock grazer(s) each year to encourage use of these pumps as an alternative to creek water gaps, wells or open irrigation ditches to restore critical riparian habitat and promote the health of the existing streams.
The South Big Horn Conservation District is manage the loaning of the pumps to the ranchers for use during the winter months or during summer grazing.  The Conservation District, NRCS Staff or Extension Service staff will assist the rancher with the placement and use of nose pumps to be used specific to the resource concern.  A representative from the Conservation District, NRCS or the Extension Service would then assist the rancher with the removal of the nose pumps at the end of the project and house them at the South Big Horn Conservation District Office.  This project will provide the rancher with the understanding and knowledge of an alternative water source.

ROTATIONAL GRAZING EQUIPMENT

Another involves intensive rotational grazing with solar charged electrical fences. The District will manage the temporary electric fence supplies (wire, posts, charger) and determine to whom they will be loaned to. The Conservation District, NRCS or Extension Service will assist the involved rancher with the placement and use of temporary electric fence to be used specific to the resource concern. A rancher may use the fence to split a swath grazing field during the months of January or February, or they may use it for cross fencing purposes on irrigated tame grass pasture. A representative from one of the agencies above would then assist the rancher on removal of the fence at the end of their trial and house it at the District Office. This is an innovative approach to using production land as a grazing resource since public and private rangeland grazing has been reduced due to the drought in the last few years in Big Horn County. In the long term, growing perennial species will benefit the soil quality and structure, while increasing soil organic matter on the former cropland. This will provide ranchers understanding of  how rotational grazing systems are beneficial. A different rancher will then be offered the use of the fencing supplies the following year.

RANGELAND INTER-SEEDING

The third is for native rangeland inter-seeding. The management objectives of the project are to inter-seed native drought tolerant grass varieties using the advice of the Bridger Plant Materials Center. Attempting to get some native species established will help prevent Cheatgrass and other undesirable species from entering the site during the drought. The South Big Horn Conservation District and partners from the NRCS and Extension Service will assist the rancher with the gas drill calibration, seed placement and grass varieties. Staff hours from the South Big Horn Conservation District, NRCS and Extension Service will be provided to educate ranchers about the varieties of grasses acceptable for interseeding and the proper methods for seeding the selected species. The rancher has the investment of the fuel and tractor to operate the grass drill. There will be an annual evaluation using an existing line transect. This project will assist ranchers with guidelines for proper grazing use, forage species identification and herd performance.

The information assembled from the projects will be distributed here on the web site, through SBHCD, FSA, NRCS and Extension Newsletters, local newspaper articles, tours and demonstration days. Tours will be offered and a Poster will be displayed during the annual WACD convention.

WYOMING  PRIVATE  GRAZING  LANDS  TEAM
PO BOX 115 ~  CASPER  WY 82602 ~ 307-265-5250

Other Special SBHCD Projects

Gypsum Blocks

Outdoor Classroom

Enviroscape

Calcium Work and Information

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Other Special Projects