Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Devising a framework for implementing cattle-grazing, fire on grassland in southern Iowa

Project ID: 2006-E18

Abstract

Grassland preservation practices such as grazing and use of fire are studied in southern Iowa and northern Missouri.

Key Question: What is the potential for using fire and grazing as tools to conserve plants and animals native to Iowa's grasslands, and at the same time serve the interests of livestock producers?

Findings: There appears to be strong support among various stakeholders, including private landowners and governmental or non-governmental agencies, for further exploration of this management framework. In particular, the notion of achieving conservation goals while at the same time providing opportunities for livestock producers has generated considerable interest.

Lead investigator: James R Miller, ISU Natural Resource Ecology and Management, et al

Year of grant completion: 2007

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Ecology Initiative.

Topics: Animal management and forage, Conservation practices, Economic and environmental impacts, Models and assessment tools