NRCS and Cattle

The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service has initiated a program in which funding has been made available available to crop producers in an effort to increase irrigation efficiency and stream flows on their land. But NRCS spokesperson Tracy Robillard told me in no uncertain terms that conservation efforts actually improve the bottom line for cattle producers. "You are also benefiting many other things in the ecosystem. Your soil quality, water quality, air quality, forest health. These are all things that are benefiting when you are taking care of that wildlife habitat. So in a lot of ways, taking care of that species, it's kind of an indicator species. We have done a lot with sage grouse habitat throughout the Western United States but those conservation actresses aren't just good for sage grouse habitat. It is good for the overall health of the rangeland, soils, plants, for the cattle and the grazing. It is a collective ecosystem effort. We are located in every county in America. Our projects range from wildlife habitat, two irrigation efficiencies to high tunnels where you can grow your crops in a high tunnel to extend your growing season.