Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Defining the grazing season of restored natural grasslands

Project ID: E2010-19

Abstract

Grazing native plants is common in the western United States, but the limited amounts of grazing land in Iowa are dominated by exotic, cool-season grasses and legumes. This study explored the nutritional quality and yields of reconstructed native plant grassland and prairies.

Key Question: Can grazing and conservation land management be mutually beneficial?

Findings: Yes, grazing and land management can be employed to create successful land use management plans that incorporate both conservation and grazing goals.

Lead investigator: Chris Troendle, Whiterock Conservancy

Co-Investigator(s):

Tolif Hunt, formerly of Whiterock Conservancy; and Mary Wiedenhoeft, ISU Agronomy

Year of grant completion: 2012

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

Topics: Animal management and forage, Conservation practices